Manchester Receives $112K Grant From State For Litter Control

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township has received a state grant of more than $112,000 to clean up litter in the township.

The Township Council is scheduled to vote on a resolution at Monday's council meeting to formally accept the grant, totaling $112,263, from the New Jersey Clean Communities program, which is operated by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Clean Communities grants are funded by a legislated user-fee on manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors that produce litter-generating products.

The nonprofit New Jersey Clean Communities Council oversees the reporting requirements for the program. Disbursements are based on housing units and miles of municipally owned roads.

“Municipalities and counties are strongly encouraged to use these grants to organize volunteer cleanups, pay employees to pick up litter, purchase badly needed cleanup equipment and promote education activities and enforcement,” said JoAnn Gemenden, executive director of the New Jersey Clean Communities Council. “We are grateful for funding that helps keep New Jersey litter-free. We are proud to serve as an educational resource for communities, as we drive many of our campaigns to engage the younger generations to help mold positive, long-term anti-litter behaviors.”

The Township Council meeting is set to begin at 5 p.m. Monday, with the first hour scheduled to be an executive session to discuss contract negotiations. The main portion of the council meeting is set for a 6 p.m. start in the Manchester Township courtroom at 1 Colonial Drive.