Community News From The City
Coastal Habitat Partnership, Leaf Collection, Join A Committee, Human Rights Council, & Plastic Bag Ban
COASTAL HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PARTNERSHIP
A new partnership with Coastal Habitat for Humanity [1105 Memorial Dr] and the City’s Community Development Department will mean qualified Asbury Park homeowners can receive home repairs to address health and safety concerns at no charge.
The program, funded by the Community Development Block Grant [CDBG], will support Coastal Habitat for Humanity’s Love Your Neighbor, Aging in Place and Brush with Kindness programs, city officials said. The programs assist low- and fixed-income homeowners with necessary interior and exterior repairs that include painting, railings, grab bars, and lighting.
“There are tremendous benefits to these programs,” Community Development Director Cassandra Dickerson said. “The rehabilitation of owner-occupied houses ensures the safety of the homeowner while increasing their quality of life, creates stability for those who might otherwise be at risk of displacement, and reignites a sense of pride in homeownership. They inspire a sense of community by bringing neighbors together to help solve problems and physically improve their neighborhoods.”
For more information, call 732-502-5759; Coastal Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Heather E. Schulze at 732-898-4096; or visit cityofasburypark.com/communitydevelopment.
LEAF COLLECTION BEGINS OCT 15
The City’s free 11-week fall leaf-collection program will run from Oct 15 through Dec 31, city officials said. Leaves should be placed in biodegradable leaf bags or in loose-leaf piles at curbside [not in the street] with a 6-inch gap between the leaf piles and the curb to allow for stormwater runoff. Do not include branches, grass clippings, dirt or brush. Leaves will be picked up weekly. For more information, call 732-775-0900 or visit cityofasburypark.com/dpw.
CITY COMMITTEE INFORMATION SESSION RETURNS OCT 16
The Asbury Park governing body will host a City Committee Information Session7 pm Oct 16 at the Asbury Park Senior Center located at 1201 Springwood Avenue, 2nd floor.
“This is our second Committee Information Session and we hope to make it an annual event,” Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn said. “Many don’t know that the City has almost 20 different committees and this event provides a unique opportunity for our residents who volunteer to share their experiences with the community.”
“We encourage everyone to attend the City Committee Information Session – from those that just want to learn what our committees do, to those actively looking to be involved,” said Councilperson Eileen Chapman, “It’s a great way for residents to learn about the incredible amount of work that our committees do. And, from the Quality of Life Committee and Green Team to the Recreation Committee and Planning Board, there’s something to interest everyone.”
For more information, call 732-502-5749 or visit cityofasburypark.com.
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL SURVEY
In the ongoing effort to better serve the community, the Mayor and City Council are seeking the opinion of residents on human rights priorities within the City of Asbury ParK, city officials announced. The results will be used to gauge the need for a Human Rights Council.
“We’ve spent the last nine months meeting with various community and religious leaders, and evaluating the work other municipalities, such as Red Bank, have done on this front,” Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn said. “Implementing this survey is the last stage before making a determination on forming a Human Rights Council for Asbury Park.”
The proposed Human Rights Council would be charged with making recommendations to the governing body to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights in Asbury Park, city officials said. The ad hoc council would be charged with advocating for victims, creating school resources, improving relations with governmental agencies, and anti-bias education.
“While the “survey is voluntary, we are mailing a copy to all residents with the hopes that as many citizens as possible will participate and voice their opinions on human rights priorities,” Councilwoman Yvonne Clayton said. “Our goal is to protect the diversity of our City and ensure Asbury Park remains a place of understanding and tolerance.”
To participate in the survey online, visit cityofasburypark.com/HRCSurvey. Paper copies are available at City Hall and are being mailed to all residents. They can be returned by mail, or in-person through Nov 15: City of Asbury Park HRC Survey, Attn: City Manager, 1 Municipal Plaza, 2nd Floor, Asbury Park, NJ 07712.
SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAG BAN BEGINS JAN 1
City officials have issued a reminder that single-use plastic bags will be banned as of Jan. 1, 2020.
“We continue to create policies and regulations that promote environmental stewardship and hope this small change in Asbury Park will create a big impact for future generations,” Mayor John Moor said. “Other municipalities who have passed plastic bag bans have seen a dramatic increase in reusable bag use and a decrease in plastic bags found in storm drains and clogging up recycling operations. We look forward to seeing those same results in Asbury Park.”
Once in effect, single-use plastic bags will not be available by retailers or food establishments at customer check-out. Instead, businesses may provide single-use paper bags or reusable bags at a minimum fee of $0.10 to the customer (maximum $0.25 on paper, no maximum on reusable bags), or customers may bring their own reusable bag.
Exceptions include supermarket bags without handles for produce and meat to prevent cross-contamination; prescription drug bags; hardware store bags for screws and bolts; laundry and dry-cleaning bags; and newspaper delivery bags.
“Our ultimate goal is to keep Asbury Park’s beaches, ocean and lakes free of pollution,” Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn said. “Plastic is the most common type of marine litter worldwide and it doesn’t biodegrade. Instead, it ends up breaking up into small particles that stay in the water and enter our food chain. As a beachside community, it’s our responsibility to protect our environment and create a sustainable future for Asbury Park.”
For more information, see the Single-Use Plastic Ban Ordinance [No. 2019-23] in the City Code section at cityofasburypark.com.
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