KEANSBURG MAYOR AND BOROUGH COUNCIL SECURE $1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS THROUGHOUT BOROUGH

KEANSBURG, NJ – Mayor George Hoff is pleased to announce that $1 million has been allocated in the federal budget for critical infrastructure improvements in Keansburg, including enhancing pedestrian access, reconstructing roadways, and fortifying drainage systems throughout the borough. This significant investment is the first federal grant to address drainage improvements within the Borough of Keansburg in over 30 years, and will reduce flooding on numerous streets while saving single family homes approximately $350 on their tax bills.

“This $1 million grant is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Keansburg Borough Council who worked tirelessly over the past year to convey the pressing need for infrastructure improvements in Keansburg,” said Mayor Hoff. “This funding not only ensures the safety and accessibility of our borough but also plays a pivotal role in keeping taxes low for our residents. I want to extend my deepest appreciation to Congressman Pallone for securing the funding and also for always being there for the residents of Keansburg.”

The funding announcement comes on the heels of Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.’s recent disclosure that he has secured $16,383,535 in funding for thirteen projects in New Jersey’s Sixth Congressional District. These projects, included in the federal spending bill for Fiscal Year 2024 and passed in the House of Representatives, are poised to rebuild and repair infrastructure, support low-emission public transit, facilitate lead pipe removal, and bolster coastal resiliency. The Senate is expected to pass the bill, sending it to President Biden’s desk for final approval.

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PUBLIC AUCTION

A Public Auction will be conducted by the Borough of Keansburg on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 7:00 P.M.

139 Shore Boulevard                Block 33, Lot 12             Vacant Land

75 x 100 Lot          Single-Family Residential Zone (R-5)

Minimum Starting Bid:   $ 200,000.00

Auction will be held at

Keansburg Borough Hall

(Council Chambers – Main Floor)

29 Church Street, Keansburg, NJ   07734

10% Deposit Required at the time of Auction

By Order of Mayor and Council, Ordinance #1716

“The Borough of Keansburg adopted the resolution below. That resolution will be attached to a declaratory relief lawsuit that is filed on January 30, 2025”

RESOLUTION #25-013       

RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF KEANSBURG COMMITTING TO ROUND 4 PRESENT AND PROSPECTIVE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING OBLIGATIONS  

WHEREAS, on March 20, 2024, Governor Murphy signed into law P.L. 2024, c.2 (hereinafter “A4” or “Amended FHA”), which amended New Jersey’s Fair Housing Act, N.J.S.A. 52:27D-301, et. seq.; and

WHEREAS, A4 calculates the size of the regional affordable housing need as follows “projected household change for a 10-year round in a region shall be estimated by establishing the household change experienced in the region between the most recent federal decennial census, and the second-most recent federal decennial census. This household change, if positive, shall be divided by 2.5 to estimate the number of low- and moderate-income homes needed to address low- and moderate-income household change in the region, and to determine the regional prospective need for a 10-year round of low- and moderate-income housing obligations…”; and

WHEREAS, this means that the regional need equates to 40% of regional household growth; and

WHEREAS, the 1985 version of the Fair Housing Act and A4 both prohibit a result that would compel a municipality to spend its own money on compliance; and

WHEREAS, the theory which permits a municipality to meet its obligations without municipal subsidy is zoning for “inclusionary zoning”; and

WHEREAS, inclusionary zoning most typically requires a 15% or 20% set aside; and

WHEREAS, it is not clear how a regional need predicated upon 40% of anticipated growth can be met with 15-20% set asides and without municipal subsidy; and

WHEREAS, this is exacerbated by the fact that certain other municipalities in the region have an allocation of 0% of the prospective need (new construction obligation), irrespective of the growth in that particular municipality; and

WHEREAS, A4 yields a statewide new construction obligation of over 8,400 affordable units per year; and

WHEREAS, this is a substantially higher annual number than was imposed by COAH in the “Prior Round” or any iteration of its Round 3 regulations; and

WHEREAS, A4 determines the size of the regional need, but does not calculate allocation of the need to individual municipalities; and

WHEREAS, instead, A4 required the Department of Community Affairs (“DCA”) to produce non-binding estimates of need on or before October 20, 2024, which it did provide on October 18, 2024 (“DCA Report”); and

WHEREAS, the DCA Report calculates the Borough’s Round 4 (2025-2035) obligations as follows: a Present Need or Rehabilitation Obligation of 91 units and a Prospective Need or New Construction Obligation of 31 units; and

WHEREAS, A4 further provides that, irrespective of the DCA’s calculation, municipalities are to determine “present and prospective fair share obligation(s)…by binding resolution no later than January 31, 2025”; and

WHEREAS, this resolution satisfies the requirements of A4 by accepting the DCA estimate of need as described in the DCA Report; and

WHEREAS, Section 3 of A4 provides that: “the municipality’s determination of its fair share obligation shall have a presumption of validity, if established in accordance with sections 6 and 7” of A4; and

WHEREAS, Borough’s calculation of need is entitled to a “presumption of validity” because it complies with Sections 6 and 7 of A4; and

WHEREAS, the Borough specifically reserves the right to adjust those numbers based on one or any of the foregoing adjustments: 1) a windshield survey or similar survey which accounts for a higher-resolution estimate of present need; 2) a Vacant Land Adjustment predicated upon a lack of vacant, developable and suitable land; 3) a Durational Adjustment (whether predicated upon lack of sewer or lack of water); and/or 4) an adjustment predicated upon regional planning entity formulas, inputs or considerations, including, but not limited to the Highlands Regional Master Plan and its build out, the Pinelands or Meadowlands regulations and planning document; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the foregoing, the Borough specifically reserves all rights to revoke or amend this resolution and commitment, as may be necessary, in the event of a successful challenge to A4 in the context of the Montvale case (MER-L-1778-24), any other such action challenging A4, or any legislation adopted and signed into law by the Governor of New Jersey that alters the deadlines and/or requirements of A4; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the foregoing, the Borough reserves the right to take a position that its Round 4 Present or Prospective Need Obligations are lower than described herein in the event that a third party challenges the calculations provided for in this Resolution (a reservation of all litigation rights and positions, without prejudice); and

WHEREAS, in light of the above, the Mayor and Council finds that it is in the best interest of Borough to declare its obligations in accordance with this binding resolution and in accordance with the Act and    

WHEREAS, in addition to the above, the Acting Administrative Director issued Directive #14-24, dated December 13, 2024, and made the directive available later in the week that followed; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Directive #14-24, a municipality seeking a certification of compliance with the Act shall file an action in the form of a declaratory judgment complaint “. . .within 48 hours after adoption of the municipal resolution of fair share obligations, or by February 3, 2025, whichever is sooner”; and

WHEREAS, nothing in this Resolution shall be interpreted as an acknowledgment of the legal validity of the AOC Directive and the Borough reserves any and all rights and remedies in relation to the AOC Directive; and

WHEREAS, the Borough seeks a certification of compliance with the Act and, therefore, directs its Affordable Housing Counsel to file a declaratory relief action within 48 hours of the adoption of this resolution; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED on this ___ day of January, by the Council of the Borough of Keansburg, Monmouth County, State of New Jersey, as follows:

1. All of the Whereas Clauses are incorporated into the operative clauses of this resolution.

2. The Mayor and Council hereby commit to the DCA Round 4 Present Need Obligation of 91 units and the Round 4 Prospective Need Obligation of 31 units as described in this resolution subject to all reservations of rights, which specifically include:

1. a) The right to adjust the number based on a windshield survey, lack of land, sewer, water, regional planning inputs, or any combination thereof;

1. b) As described in the WHEREAS section, all rights to revoke or amend this resolution in the event of a successful legal challenge, or legislative change, to A4;

1. c) All rights to take any contrary position in the event of a third party challenge to the obligations.

3. The Borough hereby directs its Affordable Housing Counsel to file a declaratory judgment complaint within 48 hours after adoption this resolution attaching this resolution.

4. The Borough hereby directs its Affordable Housing Counsel to file this Resolution with the “Program” pursuant to the requirements on A4.

5. The Borough hereby directs that this Resolution be published on the municipal website within forty-eight (48) hours of its passage, pursuant to A4.

6. This resolution shall take effect immediately, according to law.

Motion by:   Mr. Hoff

Second by:   Mr. Tonne

Ayes:      Mr. Donaldson, Mr. Tonne, Mr. Cocuzza, Mr. Foley and Mr. Hoff

Nays:      NONE

Absent:  NONE

Abstain: NONE

RFQ FORMS 2025

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

2025 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

The Borough of Keansburg is soliciting proposals for professional services to the Borough for the professional term year 2025 – 2026 commencing July 1, 2025   Proposals will be accepted for the specific professional services set forth in the Public Notice, a copy of which is attached hereto. 

The REQUEST OF PROPOSAL is for the following professions:

• Bond Counsel
• Borough Attorney – Non-Retainer Hourly Work
• Borough Attorney – Special Counsel – Labor
• Borough Attorney – Special Counsel – Non-Retainer Hourly Work
• Borough Attorney – Special Counsel – Redevelopment
• Borough Attorney – Special Counsel – Grandview Redevelopment
• Borough Auditor
• Borough Engineer
• Financial Advisor
• Municipal Planner
• Municipal Prosecutors – Hourly Work – (Shall include Substitute Prosecutor)
• Planning Board Attorney
• Planning Board Engineer
• Public Defender

All proposals shall be submitted to
Thomas Cusick, Municipal Clerk,
Keansburg Borough Hall,
29 Church Street, Keansburg, New Jersey 07734

NO later than 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 local prevailing time.

All proposals for ALL BOROUGH POSITTIONS shall be submitted as:

• One (1) original, hard copy document of the proposal shall be submitted by Tuesday, June 3, 2025. NO later than 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2025 local prevailing time.
  • No original proposals shall be accepted after the specified date and time.
  • One (1) electronic copy shall be submitted AFTER midnight on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 and received no later then by the end of business day on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 4:00 pm, local prevailing time.

• Three (3) copies your firm’s standard contract, SIGNED and ready to be executed by the Borough of Keansburg

 All proposals should include, at a minimum:

• The name, address and all contact information of the person or firm making the proposal
• A statement of qualifications, including all applicable professional licenses held
• A statement of experience in rendering such professional services to public entities
• References
• Proposal for compensation or a schedule of fees to be charged for such professional services

In addition:

1. a Professional Services Entity Information Form
2. a Mandatory Equal Employment Opportunity Notice Acknowledgement
3. a copy of the applicable New Jersey Business Registration Certificate
4. a Non-Collusion Affidavit
5. a Disclosure of Ownership Form
6. an Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form

All forms listed above, (#1 through #6) shall be completed in their entirety.

The Governing Body of the Borough of Keansburg on the basis of the proposal deemed to be most advantageous, price and other factors considered will evaluate all proposals.  The evaluation will consider:

1. Experience in municipal service and reputation in the field;
2. A list of all municipalities to which you or the firm currently serve or have served;
3. Knowledge of the Borough of Keansburg and the subject matter to be addressed under the contract;
4. Availability to accommodate any required meetings of the agency;
5. Compensation proposal;
6. Other factors, if determined to be in the best interest of the Borough of Keansburg and its agencies.

A full copy of the REQUEST FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE with necessary forms can be found on the Borough’s website:  www.keansburgnj.gov for your convenience.

BOE Appointment Notice – Open Board Member Seat – Unexpired Term 1.2025

PRESS RELEASE – 911 EMS Memorial Dedication Ceremonty 9.2024

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

2024-2025 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL 7.1.24

RFQ FORM 2024-2025

The Borough of Keansburg is soliciting proposals for professional services to the Borough for the professional term year 2024 – 2025 commencing July 1, 2024   Proposals will be accepted for the specific professional services set forth in the Public Notice, a copy of which is attached hereto.

The REQUEST OF PROPOSAL is for the following professions:

• Bond Counsel
• Borough Attorney – Non-Retainer Hourly Work
• Borough Attorney – Property Tax Matters
• Borough Attorney – Special Counsel – Labor
• Borough Attorney – Special Counsel – Non-Retainer Hourly Work
• Borough Attorney – Special Counsel – Redevelopment
• Borough Attorney – Special Counsel – Grandview Redevelopment
• Borough Auditor
• Borough Engineer
• Financial Advisor
• Municipal Planner
• Municipal Prosecutors – Hourly Work – (Shall include Substitute Prosecutor)
• Planning Board Attorney
• Planning Board Engineer
• Public Defender

All proposals shall be submitted to
Thomas Cusick, Municipal Clerk,
Keansburg Borough Hall,
29 Church Street, Keansburg, New Jersey 07734

NO later than 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2024 local prevailing time.

All proposals for ALL BOROUGH POSITTIONS shall be submitted as:

• One (1) original, hard copy document of the proposal shall be submitted by Thursday, June 20, 2024.  NO later than 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 20, 2024 local prevailing time.
• • No original proposals shall be accepted after the specified date and time.

• One (1) electronic copy shall be submitted AFTER midnight on Friday, June 21, 2024 and received no later then by the end of business day on Friday, June 21, 2024, 4:00 pm, local prevailing time.

• Three (3) copies your firm’s standard contract, SIGNED and ready to be executed by the Borough of Keansburg

 All proposals should include, at a minimum:

• The name, address and all contact information of the person or firm making the proposal
• A statement of qualifications, including all applicable professional licenses held
• A statement of experience in rendering such professional services to public entities
• References
• Proposal for compensation or a schedule of fees to be charged for such professional services

In addition:

1. a Professional Services Entity Information Form
2. a Mandatory Equal Employment Opportunity Notice Acknowledgement
3. a copy of the applicable New Jersey Business Registration Certificate
4. a Non-Collusion Affidavit
5. a Disclosure of Ownership Form
6. an Insurance Requirement Acknowledgement Form

All forms listed above, (#1 through #6) shall be completed in their entirety.

The Governing Body of the Borough of Keansburg on the basis of the proposal deemed to be most advantageous, price and other factors considered will evaluate all proposals.  The evaluation will consider:

1. Experience in municipal service and reputation in the field;
2. A list of all municipalities to which you or the firm currently serve or have served;
3. Knowledge of the Borough of Keansburg and the subject matter to be addressed under the contract;
4. Availability to accommodate any required meetings of the agency;
5. Compensation proposal;
6. Other factors, if determined to be in the best interest of the Borough of Keansburg and its agencies.

A full copy of the REQUEST FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE with necessary forms can be found attached above or on the Borough’s website:   www.keansburgnj.gov for your convenience.