Wayne Applies for Grant to Improve Water Flow

The township will apply for part of a $3 million bond Gov. Chris Christie made available for municipalities to help clear debris from streams and rivers in an effort to improve water flow in the Passaic River basin.

Wayne and Lincoln Park will apply jointly for the money, which would be awarded as a grant, NorthJersey.com reported.

Wayne would use the money to improve the flow of water in the Pompton River.

Mayor Chris Vergano told the website that officials hope the “project will help to improve the flow of water out of communities at a faster rate.”

Wayne de-snagged and cleared debris, including several trees, from the Pompton River last February. The town received an $80,000 grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help fund the project.

The DEP is managing the grant project. Officials said $100,000 grants would be awarded, but the DEP could award additional funds if a project requires it; 116 communities in the basin are eligible to receive a grant. Municipalities have until Nov. 30 to apply.

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