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Berkeley still waiting for reimbursement funds for Sandy-related costs - mayor says costs now stand at $9 million

Patricia A. Miller, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Written by Patricia A. Miller and Keith Brown

In the first nine months since Superstorm Sandy hit area towns, millions have been doled out to offset costs of cleanup and removal in some of the hardest hit areas.

But some area officials say the funds are not getting here fast enough.

The state Office of Emergency Management - which has been distributing the federal money to towns throughout the state - recently reported figures that cover payments to municipalities, other public entities and some eligible private companies statewide through July 30.

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The figures are actual dollars received by municipalities to cover emergency costs, not requests made or applications still in the pipeline, OEM officials said Tuesday.

So far, Berkeley Township has received $935,319.62, Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said. "We're owed a lot more."

The Township Council last December authorized an emergency appropriation of $6 miilion to cover salary costs and overtime for all essential personnel, the mayor said.

That included police, public works employees, debris removal from contractors, tipping fees at the Ocean County Landfill, fuel, replacement of damaged equipment and repairs to Sandy-damaged township buildings, Amato said.

In addition to direct costs, the township also has the cost of the shared service agreement with Ocean County to help supplement cleanup efforts, he said.

"In all, costs will likely exceed $9 million when all is said and done with Sandy," Amato said. "We anticipate to receive the full 90 percent reimbursement of our direct costs, and will be responsible for the 10 percent of costs associated with our agreement with the county."

Sandy walloped sections of Berkeley. Glen Cove, Good Luck Point, Pelican Island, South Seaside Park and Toms River shores were especially hard hit. Many residents are still trying to rebuild and some will never return.

Line items represent payment for specific requests for itemized claims listed in the full report, which can be found by clicking here.

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Ocean County government acts as the centralized administrator for doling out grants, so the county's municipalities may appear to have smaller amounts than other regions. Here is the list of Ocean County towns and what they received as of July 30:

Toms River $4,345,788.95
Mantoloking $2,868,989.40
Point Beach $2,624,373.50
Beach Haven $2,167,353.20
Little Egg Harbor $2,027,072.22
Lavallette $1,149,962.23
Seaside Heights $1,000,355.17
Berkeley $935,319.62
Long Beach Township $859,281.06
Brick $718,525.15
Bay Head $513,114.51
Lacey $419,583.72
Tuckerton $398,078.93
Jackson $359,033.46
Harvey Cedars $240,893.00
Ocean Gate $215,864.83
Surf City $186,619.81
Stafford $152,450.57
Waretown $138,125.11
Lakewood $119,922.75
Point Boro $101,898.11
Beachwood $89,643.72
Ship Bottom $73,810.10
Island Heights $72,480.44
Barnegat Light $66,382.60
South Toms River $52,481.87
Seaside Park $43,713.75
Lakehurst $42,038.06
Plumsted $30,572.06
Eagleswood $27,937.18
Pine Beach $8,382.50
Barnegat NA


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