Matawan seeks $200K for Clinton St. upgrades Residents asked to support grant application BY ERIN O. STATTEL Staff Writer MATAWAN - The borough is pursuing a grant for street and roadway improvements on Clinton Street. On April 29 the Borough of Matawan Community Development Citizen Participation Group held a brief discussion about the borough's plans to secure a grant from the Monmouth County Community Development and Block Grant program. "This grant will cover the expenses for making Clinton Street ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] handicap accessible and will correct water-drainage problems," said Borough Administrator Fred Carr. "We have a youth center on Clinton Street that backs up to the Henry Hudson Trail, and it is important to improve this section of town." Clinton Street is located off Broad Street and is considered an underserved portion of the community, making it eligible for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-funded grant. The borough is seeking $200,000 in grant funds. Carr explained that the county might award Matawan all of the money, some of the money, or no funds at all, but that the borough will do everything possible to qualify for some funding. The grant funds will allow for road paving, curb and sidewalk improvements, the installation of accessible ramps, and gutter improvements. Gutter and drainage improvements will correct the problem of flooding along Clinton Street. Currently, residential sump pumps drain into the street, creating icy conditions in the winter and stagnant mosquito-breeding pools in the summer. According to Carr, corrective drainage will reroute the excess water to drains and create a more sanitary environment in the summer and a safer situation in the winter. Carr and Borough Engineer William White, of Maser Consulting, have evaluated the area and will present their findings to the county and compete with other county municipalities for the grant money. Carr suggested that the residents of Matawan write letters of support to be included in the borough's application packet. The deadline for the grant application is June 30. "What we need is the community's support," Carr said. "Residents need to come out and show support for this program because it benefits them. Write to legislators and freeholders, urging them to support Matawan." Residents interested in supporting the grant application should contact Carr at (732) 566-3898, ext. 600.