Block Grant to benefit various S.B. residents
BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - The township's Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee gave the Township Council its recommendations on how to use the anticipated $88,200 awarded through the Community Development Block Grant at the council meeting on Feb. 11.

The Citizens for Independent Living will receive $22,000 for a service provider who will train residents in computer skills as well as skills in independent living.

"Most residents can use a computer, but they want them to take it to a higher level," said Ellen Gambatese, chairwoman of the advisory committee.

Twenty thousand dollars will be allocated for a social worker for senior citizens. This person will work with seniors on their problems related to aging, directing referrals to other resources and providing direct assistance to seniors who cannot come to the senior center.

The Pioneer Recreation Program, for adults with disabilities, will receive $7,250.

"It's growing and many people are aging out of the young people's programs," Gambatese said.

Five thousand dollars will be handed out to the South Brunswick Family YMCA for scholarships for the township's elderly residents.

Charleston Place will get $2,400 for a service coordinator assistant to type, make phone calls, arrange transportation and do follow-up reminders.

It will also receive $21,550 for the removal and replacement of about 30 hot water tanks, which are in the individual units of the facility.

The township's Community Development Corporation Congregate Housing Services program will receive $3,500 for meals at Oak Woods and Charleston Place, two low-income housing facilities for older adults.

Four thousand five hundred dollars will be given to the public library to buy books with larger print for adults who are visually impaired.

Finally, $4,000 will be provided for a food pantry assistant and $5,500 for someone to coordinate the community development block grant and the housing rehabilitation program.

The council was happy with the report.

"It's not an easy task," said Mayor Frank Gambatese. "It's always nice to have such detail before us."

"You have to say no to people, which isn't the most pleasant of all jobs," said Councilman Charles Carley.

At the meeting, Ellen Gambatese said that she has been pushed to spend the money on building projects rather than services.

All the recommendations other than repairing the water tanks, however, are for services rather than building projects.

The township had $110,000 in requests, but only $95,000 in available money so many of the requests was cut down, according to Ellen Gambatese.