CIATTARELLI-SIMON PLEASED MANVILLE BENEFITS FROM BLUE ACRES BUYOUT PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 1, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli and Assemblywoman Donna Simon, both R-Somerset, Morris, Mercer and Middlesex, lauded Wednesday’s announcement by Gov. Christie that Manville is now a beneficiary of the Blue Acres Buyout Program. The program, which is overseen by the Department of Environmental Protection, allows willing homeowners to sell their houses at pre-Sandy market value. The home purchased in Manville is the 300th property acquisition since the program’s inception two years ago.
Manville has historically been plagued by flooding. The borough often has problems absorbing water resulting from rainfall, runoff and back flooding from the Millstone River and other waterways such as the Raritan River and Royce Brook.
“New Jersey’s Blue Acres program is a welcome relief to eligible Manville homeowners,” said Ciattarelli. “As the Raritan and Millstone rivers continue to reclaim the flood plain, too many homeowners have repeatedly endured the heartache and hardship of flooding. Considering all the ways taxpayer money is used for flood mitigation, the Blue Acres program is the most effective. Eligible homeowners receive a fair market value for their homes and the property is then deeded in perpetuity to open space.”
Last month, the owners of a Manville home accepted the state’s offer of $185,000 to purchase their repeatedly flooded house which they had owned since 2000.
“We appreciate Governor Christie’s and DEP Commissioner Martin’s efforts,” said Simon. “We are proud to represent Manville and pride ourselves on being hands on Legislators. We are very pleased that this program has been successful and will continue to work towards the next group of buyouts in our district becoming a reality.”
Simon and Ciattarelli, along with Sen. Kip Bateman, sponsor legislation (S-139/A-259) that establishes the Hunterdon–Somerset Flood Advisory Task Force. The task force is charged with reviewing past flooding events in Hunterdon and Somerset counties. They are tasked with recommending measures to reduce future impacts resulting from flooding on residents, businesses, and local government units.
