Berkeley To Partner With Ocean County For Storm Debris Removal Services

Township officials are poised to enter into a shared services agreement with Ocean County for Hurricane Sandy storm debris removal, Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said.

"We hope to start with them as soon as possible," Amato said Thursday night. "Our employees are working extremely hard and doing a fantastic job under a very difficult circumstance."

Berkeley Township's ocean and waterfront sections in South Seaside Park, Pelican Island, Glen Cove, Good Luck Point and other parts of Bayville were especially hard hit.

"Berkeley has the most waterfront in the county," Amato said. "We want to help our guys and expedite the cleaning process."

The township has already suspended recycling pickups for the time being, until the storm debris has been cleaned up.

Ocean County will enter into a contract with a debris removal company experienced in dealing with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and its reimbursement requirements, Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr. said. "This will help the smaller towns in particular who do not have the staff or the expertise to take care of this aspect of the storm recovery."

Ocean County will provide the initial upfront funding for the contract and apply for FEMA reimbursement of 75 percent. The county will bill the towns for their 25 percent of the cost share, Bartlett said.

"This will not impact the county's bottom line financially," he said. "It is the right thing to do and it will help the towns and their residents that have already gone through so much."