Letter to the Editor from Samuel J. Cammarato

In response to an article that was printed in the Berkeley Patch as to the conversation I had with the Council President, Jim Byrnes, at a Town Council public forum this past Monday, September 23th, that quoted Board of Education President James Fulcomer’s warning that “The Township’s ratable base would suffer if more funds aren’t released soon” was Jim Fulcomer’s quote, not mine.

When it was my turn to address the Council President and Town Council, one of the issues I spoke about was a telephone conversation I had that day with a women that was a Berkeley Township property owner, whose home was devastated by SuperStorm Sandy.

She mentioned that she received a letter from the Department of Community Affairs, explaining that she was on the list of those homeowners that submitted a RREM application and she would be contacted if more federal funds became available. Her question to me was; did I have any information about IF and WHEN more federal funds would become available?

I told her that even though she did not have flood insurance, it was my understanding that Governor Christie was trying to get more federal funding to fund round two of the RREM Program, to help ALL of the remaining homeowners get back into their homes; however, at this time I was not sure of exactly when that would happen.

We also spoke about her concern that she would have to sign another lease for her rental apartment for another year. I suggested she consider inquiring about a shorter lease instead, hopefully Governor Christie, may be successful in getting more federal RREM funding that would help her return to her home.                                                                                                                      She also mentioned to me, that she was very happy to receive from the DCA the Resettlement Grant of $10,000 and that was a tremendous help to her in paying bills including the upcoming rent.

I want to take this opportunity to make sure that my comments, as I meant than to be, are clear.

It is the Berkeley Township Taxpayers Coalition understanding that the Department of Community Affairs has been and continues to move forward, through the RREM Program to either totally rebuild or repair homes that were damaged by the SuperStorm Sandy. That is happening now.    

BTTC and its member concerns, is that Governor Christie receives the needed support from the various mayors and town councils of towns affected by this terrible storm.

That was my intended request of our Town Council that evening, to pass a Resolution, whereas, Mayor Carmen Amato would write a letter to Governor Christie, showing his support and the support of our entire Town Council, in Governor Christie’s effort, to successfully receive more federal funding to the RREM Program and to continue to help those homeowners finally get back into their homes.   

We support Governor Christie and wish him success in obtaining more federal RREM funding.

Respectfully,

Sam Cammarato

BTTC President