Christie: Woodbridge is Next in Line After First Round of Buyouts

By Monique Coleman-Tulloch

I was able to attend Governor Christie's Town Hall meeting in Sayreville earlier today(May 16) and witnessed his two big announcements- 1- $300 million is approved and ready to go for buyouts through Blue Acres, and 2- Sayreville is one of the first towns to be slated for this program.

For many Sayreville residents, their prayers were answered by Christie's announcement.  And, throughout the meeting various flood victims from that town showered Christie with praises, gifts, standing O's, and to no surprise, a plea for a White House run.

The collaborative efforts by residents and local officials in Sayreville have been rewarded with exactly what the majority of their flood victims have been pushing for since Sandy- to be removed from harms way and get a break from flooding once and for all.

Christie said that the first wave of buyout money will go after 350 homes in Sayreville, South River, a few Jersey Shore towns, and the Passaic River Basin area. The timeline will be quick, with property appraisals and title work set to begin in June, offers to willing homeowners beginning in July, and first closings prior to Labor Day.  All closings in the first wave will be completed by next spring.

Pretty amazing how quickly things can happen when there's a will and a way!

Pam Antab, member of the Woodbridge Community Flood Group who is still displaced after suffering severe damage to her home in Sandy, pressed Christie about the plans for Woodbridge. Without hesitation, Christie asserted that Woodbridge is next in line after the first wave of buyouts.  The head of Christie's special buyout team confirmed that his department has been in talks with Mayor McCormac and that there are already 200 applications from Woodbridge.

The second wave of buyouts, presumably inclusive of Woodbridge, will begin in September. Christie gave a few specifics about the buy-outs: 1) perpetually flooded homes will be targeted, 2) coverage will be for single family homes, though there is an effort to find ways to cover multi-family homes, 3) offers will be based on fair market value, 4) mortgages must continue to be paid up until closing, 5)Homes will be razed and the remaining land will "get fixed" to sustain flooding better than it does now and so flooding doesn't move beyond the streets that are bought out, 6) People who owe more on their mortgage than their appraisal offer would be able to receive assistance and support, including extensions on SBA applications.

Christie emphasized the importance of communities getting together on buy-outs because the state's intention is to buy-out whole streets and neighborhoods.  Christie also clearly understood that some streets/neighborhoods may face one or two hold-outs in their bid for buyouts.  He assured Sayreville residents that the state and local government will "help to bring everyone around".

Buy-outs weren't the only focus for the Governor. Christie declared that he has been on a mission since Sandy to repair and rebuild the state to what it was before and even better. Applications for grants funding to rebuild, renovate, or elevate will begin around May 24th, with up to $150,000 available per house.

Christie addressed a few questions about flood insurance and the new flood zone maps. He stated that new FEMA maps will be released in a few weeks, but he asserted that figuring out buy-outs is the more immediate issue for flood victims in Sayreville and other targeted towns. Christie reminded the audience that with flood insurance rate increases 2-3 years down the line, people will have time to make decisions about raising their home.