Little Silver Appropriates $1.7M for Sandy Cleanup

Cleaning up after Sandy could cost Little Silver up to $1.7 million.

The borough council authorized the appropriation of that amount Monday to fund the removal of the mounds of debris cleared from properties and damage sustained by borough structures following the super storm.

Borough Attorney John O. Bennett, III stressed at the Nov. 19 council meeting that the borough might not necessarily spend the full amount, the balance of which will be paid back over five years at $340,000 annually. The borough will also apply for the maximum reimbursement from FEMA, which will be applied to clean up costs.

The mayor and council approved $7,100 in repairs to the borough's public works building to Paul Caruso Construction in Long Branch for damage sustained during Sandy. The storm also damaged the borough's boat ramp and boat house at Santelle Park off Riverview Avenue.

Removal of construction and demolition debris will be ongoing, said Mayor Robert Neff, Jr. The borough has stopped removal of vegetative waste from streets by a private hauler but public works will continue to clear piles.

"The borough's doing what it can within its budget," Neff said. "It's not unlimited."