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| Welcome to the Keyport quarterly online newsletter that explores the people, places, and things that make Keyport great! Produced quarterly, you can sign up to receive future editions here Enjoy! |
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| In this Issue... |
Summer 2009 Edition
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Mayor's Message |
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Dear Friends and Neighbors: I would like to take this opportunity to introduce our new online newsletter. We hope to keep you informed on the many great things happening in our quaint historic community. As Mayor, my immediate goal has been to bring our residents a renewed sense of integrity and pride in our local government, while working with the governing body to improve the quality of life for all of our residents. I am happy to report that I believe this has been overall a very positive year for Keyport. In your travel around town, you can clearly see the pride we take in our |
community. We have made many public improvements that have taken the committed time and effort of many individuals to achieve. All truly successful plans and projects require the combined cooperation and effort from you the residents, along with the fine work of the professional administration here at the Borough. We need your time and talents in order for our goals to become a reality. If you think you may be interested in serving on one of our various committees, boards or commissions, please email me at mayorbergen@keyportonline.com or call my office to express your interest at 732-739-5124. Thank you for the opportunity to serve and I look forward to seeing you around town. Sincerely, |
 Mayor Robert Bergen |
In January 2007, the NJDEP Bureau of Coastal Engineering broke ground on a project to transform the shore protection and public access of the Keyport Borough Waterfront through a partnership of State, County, and Local funding. The bulkhead replacement project is currently completed with approximately 1,450 linear feet of the American Legion Drive Bulkhead from the Municipal Public Access Boat Ramp to the recreation area known as Fireman’s Park. The project, while providing vital protection of the Borough’s coastal bay front, provides for greatly enhanced and recreational type public access to this area. The Bulkhead has been tastefully designed with decorative railings and a 15 foot wide promenade, allowing enjoyment of the newly protected waterfront and hopefully attracting visitors to the beautifully transformed waterfront. The municipal fishing pier which lies just to the west of the center of the bulkhead project was also rehabilitated through partial funding from the New Jersey Green Acres Program. This pier is a vital part of Keyport's history as a marine community, allowing a true fisherman's element to the waterfront. In the fall of 2008, the Borough completed final design plans for the next phase of our waterfront revitalization plan, a waterfront park located along the recently completed bulkhead and promenade between Broad Street and the western end of American Legion Drive. The new park will be situated within the existing gravel and paved lot which has been used over the years as a municipal parking lot for a variety of waterfront activities. The Borough is currently working with our professionals for the vision of the "Waterfront Park", combining elements of vehicular access, parking, and recreational facilities that can be enjoyed by the entire community for years to come. The element and conceptual design of this project was established through a public outreach and consensus building process through the summer of 2008. The Borough Council approved this community endorsed waterfront park on ??? which includes four (4) acres consisting of one-half acre open lawn area for passive recreation, a 30 foot diameter open air pavilion, a pedestrian plaza with a four faced decorative clock, a variety of sitting and planting areas, an 88 car main parking lot which will also provide some overflow boat trailer parking, and several adjacent parking areas that will accommodate an additional 40 cars. The passive recreation area will be located on the western side of the site while the main parking lot will be on the east side. Full pedestrian circulation will be encouraged throughout the site by new sidewalks and alley way improvements which will connect Fireman’s Parking Lot, Mini Park, Beach Park, the Steamboat Dock Museum, and the Municipal Boat Ramp and the downtown shopping and dining district. The park will be accessible by both car, via an access road which will run throughout the site connecting American Legion Drive and Broad Street, and by pedestrians from the downtown Mini Park, the waterfront promenade, and existing pedestrian alleys and sidewalks from First, Broad and West Front Streets. |
The pedestrian areas will be complemented by a variety of colored and textured paved surfaces and gardens. The site will also include a “Rain Garden” (a natural, green depressed planted area which will utilize site storm water runoff to water the diverse garden plantings while reducing the discharge of pollutants to receiving waters). The park facilities will be fully accessible and will comply with all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. The design also incorporates an overall grading design along with new drainage facilities throughout the site to minimize impacts of seasonal high tide flooding. Construction Update Currently, a majority of the Phase I demolition work is complete and the new drainage facilities have been installed. The new parking lot has been rough graded and a majority of the new concrete curb is in place. Over the next month, the main parking lot and access road are scheduled to be completed and opened to the public. The project’s construction has recently been delayed several weeks when, during the installation of the required drainage improvements for the new roadway and parking lot, a buried concrete vault from the Borough’s abandoned sewer treatment plant was unearthed. The large vault contained remaining sewer sludge which needed to be tested for environmental contaminants and then disposed of properly before construction could continue. In addition, the excessive rain has caused minor delays. You can find additional updates as they become available by visiting www.keyportonline.com and click on the Community Development and then the Waterfront button. We will also keep you informed via this newsletter. |
The NP Program is a NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Grant Award that encourages municipalities to undertake certain activities which will preserve neighborhoods. The Keyport NPP has organized a planning committee to prioritize, plan, and implement improvements that will be partially funded through this grant from the NJDCA to the Borough of Keyport. Improvement projects include housing rehabilitation and other residential improvements; commercial property façade and signage improvements; new unifying commercial district and pedestrian/vehicular directional signage; streetscape, infrastructure and public area improvements and amenities; and an implemented highway district strategic redevelopment plan. The NPP Planning Committee has worked diligently with Mayor Bergen and members of the Borough Council to develop and implement this work plan to address important issues within the Target Area. The Keyport NPP offers various types of assistance to a specified Target Area. Whether you are a Home owner, Renter, or Business Owner in the NPP Target Area, you will benefit from the presence of the program in your neighborhood. All residential owner occupants in the Target Area are eligible to apply for Housing Rehabilitation Assistance. Awards are made on a “first come, first serve” basis. The maximum available per structure is $5,000. HUD Income Guidelines apply for all grants except the $1,000 Materials Grant which is available to residential owner occupants regardless of income. |
The NPP Target area can be described separately by the eastern area and western sections of the target area. The boundary of the eastern section spans from the border of Aberdeen Township and incorporates the business district on Lower Maple Place. The section continues where Lower Maple Place intersects State Highway 35, along with an adjacent area accessed by the Maple Place overpass. The area mentioned above includes a neighborhood commercial area, with residential housing stock and mixed use commercial and neighborhood areas surrounding the Maple Place overpass. The northern boundary of the Maple Place overpass neighborhood is Fourth Street. The eastern section of the NPP Target Area includes State Highway 35 and 36, which is comprised of underutilized commercial and scattered residential uses bordered by Clark Street to the south, with a northern boundary defined by Monroe Street. The eastern most boundaries include the Hazlet Township border and Florence Avenue. Protecting the health and vitality of our neighborhoods is a key aspect in maintaining the safety and security of all Keyport citizens. If you think you may be eligible for an NPP grant, please call the NPP Coordinator at (732) 739-5138 for an appointment. Councilwoman Christian Bolte is the NPP Liaison. For questions, email cbolte@keyportonline.com |
In 2008, a NJ non-profit was created to be a catalyst for community based programs and events designed to enhance public pride, offer community-wide recreation and to promote economic activity within the Borough. With projects such as the Neighborhood Preservation program (NPP), our waterfront revitalization, streetscape, infrastructure improvements and many other initiatives in the works, the town leaders recognized the need to protect our investment and market the community with all stakeholders in mind. Due to the downturn in the economy, the State has cut programs such as NPP, NHRP from their future budget. These programs focus on rehabilitation and revitalization in communities. The non-profit KCCC serves as a mechanism to create additional public private partnerships and fundraising initiatives that the municipality is usually limited to. The mission is simple, the Keyport Cultural Celebration Committee exists to undertake, direct, manage, facilitate and/or oversee recreational, educational and cultural activities, events and programs intended to promote the public welfare; the civic, philanthropic, educational, historic, cultural and economic, well being and vitality of community life within the Borough of Keyport. |
The Farmer's Market, Keyport Garden Club and annual event calendars are all of the KCCC. The Garden Club was formed under the direction of the KCCC Board and is now a successful, independent organization.The Garden Club is eligible to receive tax deductible donations under the KCCC. We welcome all residents, businesses and other local organizations to get involved with the KCCC. If you want to be part of something exciting or simply want to meet people and have some time spare, please call us at 732-739-5138 to volunteer or simply click here for our Volunteer Registration Form. You will have the opportunity to work with other local groups; you can volunteer for the Country Jamboree, now a famous weekend Fall event, attracting 10,000 visitors; or any of our other events and projects. The KCCC raises funds to host these spectacular activities without relying on taxpayer funds. In addition, the KCCC can assist groups like Keyport Recreation Commission; Firemen's Museum, Garden Club or any other civic organizations with their fundraising needs by donating a portion of their proceeds. |
The Keyport Garden Club (KGC) is in its second year of operation, and thriving. We are engaged in many projects aimed at beautifying our community and raising the green-consciousness of our townspeople. We are extremely lucky to have many talented individuals who have been hardworking and ingenious in their gardening endeavors. Among them are several carpenters and master gardeners, artists, lawyers, bankers, teachers, realtors, painters, accountants and council people; store owners, independent businesspeople and retirees. This dedicated group has accomplished, in just over one year, many worthwhile garden projects in Keyport and is in the process of completing and developing more. In our first year of operation the KGC established flower gardens at many locations. Gardens were established under the “Keyport” signs along Route 36 by Atlantic and Broad Streets, the IHOP, and St. John’s Church to send a message to those passing by that ours is a community of people who care. Once the soil was tilled and amended the gardens were planted so that they would be beautiful in all seasons. Bulbs brighten them in spring, perennials through summer and fall, and grasses during the winter. Garden Club members maintain and water them during the growing months, a labor of love as there is no water source nearby for any of them. The Keyport Garden Club has also created gardens at the Keyport Public Library on Broad St. and the Senior Center on Second St., working in close cooperation with the leaders of each institution. The result has not only been the beautification of the highly visible icons of Keyport, all of which are non-profit, but also the bringing together of the people of our town. The Senior Center gave the Garden Club an award this in April saying that the garden was much appreciated by the senior citizens. The KGC is itself a community, with a diverse set of people who love gardening, dedicated to the goal of bringing new meaning to the Keyport motto, “The Pearl of the Bayshore”. By definition communities are open, living social organisms. |
It is in that sense KGC is striving to bring the whole town of Keyport together, in every sense of that word. We hope that folks feel some pleasure and see beauty when they do everyday things like going to the post office or library, driving through town, especially entering town from the highway, and take pride in the town itself. Last year’s community garden was a great success, even though it was the work of very few members. This year, our Community Garden is larger and requires more resources and time from more members. Our small “workforce” can do wonders but think what we could do with additional help, whether it is manpower or supplies. Tools, seeds, bulbs, water, etc. are not free, but KGC has been blessed by many generous individuals, who have spent their own money and given of their time and (sometimes) hard labor. We have been helped by the Borough and KCCC with resources and funds to start the club, through the donation of town trucks to transport compost, through its donating water and installing a water meter in the community garden, and through many small donations from townspeople. Our intention is to bring the joy of gardening to our children with the new “Pizza Garden” at the Central School being planned by one of our master gardeners and the Child’s Garden at our Keyport Community Garden. This garden’s 1800 square feet has been donated by a generous member, has an ornate “temple’ entrance built by one of our carpenters out of wood, and nine separate gardens maintained by nine different club members. It includes another children’s garden, and will grow produce such as carrots, broccoli, squash, tomatoes, beans, rhubarb, beets and peas – all for donation to the Keyport Food Pantry. We have worked diligently with other civic groups in the planting/maintenance of street flowerpots. The new waterfront park is currently under construction and KGC is once again working with the town on designs for plantings and gardens. So, it can be seen that while KGC is a community, it is also part of a larger community, which can help itself by working together toward a common purpose. Our small part in that is the attempt to beautify the town with refreshing gardens while raising the eco-consciousness of its people and its visitors, with the help of individuals, governments and government agencies, nonprofit organizations and clubs, and local businesses. We have affected the entire community, from the young in age to senior citizens, from the businesses to the general public to the needy. We have enjoyed great success in our year of existence, but our plans and dreams are much greater. For more information or to make a donation, click here. |
The Borough of Keyport has formed a partnership with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency for the Live Where You Work Program. The Live Where You Work Program is a special home mortgage incentive program that provides more flexible underwriting criteria for the loan qualification process, low-interest mortgage loans, and down payment assistance to home buyers who will live and work in the Borough of Keyport. MAXIMUM INCOME LIMITS FOR KEYPORT
MAXIMUM PURCHASE PRICE LIMITS FOR KEYPORT
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WHAT IS KEYPORT’S LIVE WHERE YOU WORK PROGRAM? WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF KEYPORT’S LIVE WHERE YOU WORK PROGRAM?
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT |
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The farmers always have a wide selection of fresh fruits, vegetable, herbs and flowers. The Market will run through October and as the summer changes into fall, you will find a wide variety of mums, corn stalks, pumpkins and other seasonal specialties. The Keyport Farmers Market is the perfect place to get the best selection of fresh seasonal produce and specialty foods. SENIOR FARMERS’ MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM |
Grocery Stores CANNOT accept Farmers Market Checks. Participants must be willing to complete the two-page application and provide proof of:
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
For more information on the Keyport Farmers Market, please call 732-739-5138. Both Keyport farmers Hauser Hill Farms and C&M Produce will accept the vouchers. If you are not a Keyport Senior Citizen and are interested in the food vouchers, please contact your local Municipality or the Monmouth County Office on Aging. |
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The Keyport Garden Club is a not for profit community organization comprised of gardeners and plant lovers in the beautiful Bayshore town of Keyport, NJ. We were founded in January 2008 through the borough's Keyport Cultural Celebration Committee. All programs & activities are supported by membership, sponsorship and fundraising initiatives. The KGC launched several beautification projects in our first year, including several gardens. We also hold annual plant and bulb sales and participate in various community events, many of which have an educational component.
The Keyport Farmers Market is in full swing with some new additions. In addition to the Jersey grown, hand picked fresh produce; you can purchase flowers and plants. The Farmers Market is held every Thursday from 1:00 PM – sellout.