Adopting Its Highway Spot Should Be Easy For Brick Garden Club

Brick, NJ -- So now that the Brick Garden Club has been told its flower beds can stay at the intersection of Route 70 and Brick Boulevard, what's involved with getting approval for a spot in the Adopt a Highway program?

As it turns out, it's fairly simple. According to the state's New Jersey Clean Communities Council website, it's a matter of filling out an online application. And there is no charge.

That said, filing an application for a spot is not always a guarantee of receiving permission, the Clean Communities Council says. Situations the state Department of Transportation views as unsafe can be rejected, the state says.

That possibility was one voiced by Brick Township Councilman Jim Fozman at Tuesday's Township Council meeting, when Mayor John Ducey first announced the DOT was demanding the Brick Garden Club remove the beds it has been maintaining at the intersection for more than 15 years.

The beds drew attention after the Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority sought and received a permit to install a utility hydrant near one of the beds, which sit on a teardrop-shaped piece of land that serves only to manage traffic at the intersection.

Wednesday afternoon, however when the DOT rescinded the order, the announcement from the DOT made it clear a request from the Brick Garden Club for the spot would be approved:

"Upon further consideration, NJDOT has determined that the utility hydrant and the garden will be permitted to remain, contingent on the receipt of an Adopt a Highway application from Brick Township," Kevin Israel, a spokesman for the state DOT said late Wednesday afternoon.

"Adopt-A-Highway is a comprehensive, statewide, volunteer program created by the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Clean Communities Council to encourage volunteers to clean and maintain state highways," the Clean Communities Council says on its website. "Our mission is to reduce litter on state highways in an ongoing effort to enhance the appearance of New Jersey’s landscape, protect the health and welfare of New Jersey residents, and promote a booming economy."

Anyone can request permission to adopt a stretch of state highway -- a business, community organization or an individual, the site says. Once the application is approved, the applicant must execute an agreement with the Clean Communities Council to do the following:

• Clean the segment of state highway four times a year for two years;
• Abide by safety regulations;
• Follow protocol for the pickup and disposal of trash;
• File reports cards after the cleanups.

Ducey said the township will help the garden club with the process of applying for the Adopt a Highway program.

The Brick Garden Club is always welcoming new members to help out with its mission of beautifying the township. The club meets monthly at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month (except January, July, August and December) at the Bob Anstett Cultural Arts Center, 515 Herbertsville Road.

You can also see what they're up to by checking out the Brick Garden Club Facebook page and the club's website.

For more information on the Adopt A Highway program, contact the Clean Communities Council at 609-989-5900 or njccc@njclean.org.