Gov. Christie Coming to Toms River to Talk Essential Services Grants

Gov. Chris Christie will be in Toms River Wednesday to talk about Essential Services grant funding, money that township officials have said lessened Superstorm Sandy’s impact to the municipal tax rate.

The governor, joined by Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Richard E. Constable III, will make an appearance at Toms River’s police department headquarters Wednesday at 3 p.m., according to his public schedule.

Toms River was originally awarded $15.5 million in Essential Services Grant funds, but an additional $6.266 million was awarded just as the 2013 municipal budget was adopted.

"We recognize that some local governments hit hard by Sandy have been financially impacted by the storm. As a result, they are having difficulties providing public safety, public works and education and other basic services that are critical to their residents," Christie said in a June statement announcing the initial grant awards in Toms River and other municipalities.

The funding must be dedicated to Toms River’s police, Department of Public Works and landfill costs, according to officials.

"These Essential Services Grants will help local officials maintain basic services in their communities as the rebuilding process continues,” Christie said in his June announcement.