Road Resurfacing, Historic Preservation Grant On Wayne Council Agenda

WAYNE, NJ — Resurfacing Demarest Road, applying for a historical preservation grant, and funding community health efforts for Wayne seniors are all on Township Council’s agenda for Wednesday’s meeting.

Council meets at 7:30 p.m. in their chambers at the Wayne Municipal Building, 475 Valley Road. Meeting agendas and minutes can be found here.

The proposed resurfacing project involves all of Demarest Drive, from West Belt Parkway to Fairfield Road, township documents show. American Asphalt & Trucking out of Newark is the chosen bidder, with the cost of the project not to exceed $432,302.80.

The township is also looking to apply for up to $250,000 in a historical grant to restore the Mead-Van Duyne House at 533 Berdan Ave, according to the resolutions posted on the Wayne council website.

The descendants of John Mead, one of Wayne's original Dutch colonists, built the stone farmstead around or after 1750 according to The Wayne Museum.

Originally located at 636 Fairfield Road, the home was moved in the 1970s to its current location on the property of the Wayne Museum so it would not be torn down during N.J. 23 expansion. The oldest section of the house dates back to 1706, per the National Park Service.

A resolution authorizes the Parks and Recreation department to apply with the Passaic County Open Space, Farmland, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund for funding to rehabilitate and restore the historic home. The Director of Parks and Recreation recommended Connolly and Hickey Historical Architects, LLC (of Cranford), who were the only ones to submit a quote, the resolution states.

On Feb. 15, Council authorized filing two more grant applications: to support renovations to the Nellis Drive tennis and basketball courts, and fund new playground equipment at Ralph Valt Memorial Park. The application was for the total amount of $185,00.

And, the council seeks to ratify an application for up to $25,000 to fund the Wayne for All Ages Initiative (WFAA) and Drop-In Center. The WFAA is looking to provide diabetes and heart disease education, community activities, and mental health services for older adults and staff a drop-in center, the resolution states.

The Director of Senior & Social Services/Health Educator already applied to Chilton Medical Center’s Community Health Advisory Committee for a grant of up to $25,000, township documents show. The resolution before Township Council ratifies the application, and would accept the grant if it is awarded.

Township Council meetings are televised on Wayne Municipal Cable and can be streamed live here.