Kean Announces FY2027 Community Project Funding Submissions

(April 9, 2026) WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) announced that his office has submitted 20 Community Project Funding requests to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration ahead of the Fiscal Year 2027 congressional appropriations process. Each of the six counties in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District are represented in the selections below.

"These investments will make a very positive difference in the daily lives of the people we serve by strengthening infrastructure, supporting public safety, and improving quality of life in our communities," said Congressman Kean. "I will continue to bring both parties together in Washington, DC to secure the federal support needed to deliver these resources for New Jersey."

Community Project Funding is a process that allows Members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the communities they represent. Each member may submit up to 20 projects for consideration. This process includes robust eligibility, ethics, and transparency guidelines and is only available to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as some non-profits. Additionally, only projects with evidence of strong support from the community will be considered, and evidence of this support and community need is required as part of the submission.

To view a large district map with all projects, click HERE.

Below are the 20 Community Project Funding requests that Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. submitted to the House Appropriations Committee for FY2027:

1. Hillsborough Township Public Safety Interoperable Communications Upgrade

• Subcommittee: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Township of Hillsborough
• Recipient Address: 379 South Branch Road Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844
• County: Somerset
• Amount: $975,000
• Justification: The funding would be used for modernization and replacement of outdated portable radio communications equipment used by the Hillsborough Township Police Department. The project will fund the procurement and deployment of seventy-five (75) all-band portable radios equipped with advanced interoperability, Wi-Fi connectivity, and LTE capabilities. The department's current portable radios are outdated and lack the capability to provide reliable communications in complex environments such as schools, large commercial buildings, and emergency response scenes. In addition, the existing system does not provide sufficient interoperability between police, fire, and other emergency response agencies.

2. Town of Phillipsburg Police Technology Equipment

• Subcommittee: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Town of Phillipsburg
• Recipient Address: 120 Filmore Street Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
• County: Warren
• Amount: $1,000,000
• Justification: The funding would be used for modernizing the Phillipsburg Police Department's investigative, surveillance, and information technology capabilities. Through the deployment of Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology, covert surveillance systems, upgraded CCTV infrastructure, enhanced cybersecurity protections, and a mobile drone operations support vehicle, the department will significantly strengthen its ability to prevent crime, conduct investigations, safeguard critical data, and respond to emergencies.

3.  New Providence Police Radio Replacement and Upgrade

• Subcommittee: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Borough of New Providence
• Recipient Address: 360 Elkwood Avenue New Providence, NJ 07974
• County: Union
• Amount: $245,000
• Justification: The funding would be used for the replacement of 47 portable radios used throughout the agency. The New Providence Police are currently utilizing portable radios that have exceeded their useful life and have begun to fail during their usage. The upgrade will fill coverage gaps by utilizing additional technology built into the radio hardware that connects the portable radio to a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) network. The new radios will ensure continued connectivity to the Emergency Services Dispatch Center and Fire, EMS and Emergency Management departments. The purchase of these radios has the ability to impact the lives of any person who may live, work or travel through New Providence due to the portability of this equipment. The purchase will enhance community relations and offer a better experience to all taxpayers with our public safety professionals

4. Chester Highlands Ridge Building Roof Replacement 

• Subcommittee: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Chester Township
• Recipient Address: 1 Parker Road Chester Township, NJ 07930
• County: Morris
• Amount: $137,500
• Justification: The funding would be used for the replacement of the Highlands Ridge Building, a vital multi-agency hub housing the Chester Volunteer First Aid Squad, contracted Atlantic Health EMT services, the Chester Township Office of Emergency Management, the NJ Highlands Council, and NJ Department of Environmental Protection offices. It also serves as a regional food pantry and the primary location of the Chester Historical Society. This project will replace the building's 22,000 square foot flat roof which is failing in multiple locations to halt active water infiltration and preserve this essential community asset.

5. Passaic River Regional Flooding Mitigation Project 

• Subcommittee: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Township of Berkeley Heights
• Recipient Address: 29 Park Avenue Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
• County: Union
• Amount: $4,000,000
• Justification: The funding would be used for the clearing of major obstructions from Passaic River tributaries and the shoring up of stream banks in the river towns of Berkeley Heights, Long Hill, New Providence, Summit, and Chatham Borough, which will decrease area flooding and soil erosion, while improving and protecting soils and water quality. Many municipalities in the Passaic River Basin have experienced repeated and severe flooding events in recent years, resulting in significant public safety hazards, damage to public infrastructure, damage to property, roadway closures, emergency response impacts, and disruption to residents and businesses. This project will focus on strategic, environmentally responsible de-snagging and debris removal in the most-clogged stretches of the tributaries leading into the Passaic River, representing an important flood mitigation strategy to improve the hydraulic capacity of the river tributaries and reduce flood risk.

6. Springfield Police Department Refurbishment Project

• Subcommittee: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Township of Springfield Police Department
• Recipient Address: 100 Mountain Avenue Springfield Township, NJ 07081
• County: Union
• Amount: $700,000
• Justification: The funding would be used to complete critical facility improvements necessary to ensure compliance with Department of Corrections standards, modernize essential infrastructure, and improve operational efficiency. These improvements will enhance detainee management, officer safety, and compliance with applicable regulations. The project will also replace the building's aging and inefficient HVAC system. The current system has reached the end of its useful life and no longer provides reliable climate control for the facility. Finally, the project includes building modifications to create additional office space. The Department currently faces space limitations that affect administrative operations and the delivery of services to the community.

7. Renovation of the Frenchtown Borough Police Headquarters 

• Subcommittee: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Frenchtown Borough
• Recipient Address: 27 Second Street Frenchtown, NJ 08825
• County: Hunterdon
• Amount: $300,000
• Justification: The funding would be used for the renovation of the Frenchtown Police Department's outdated station currently housed in an aging residential structure acquired by the Borough decades ago. It lacks separate male and female changing facilities, does not meet current ADA accessibility standards, and utilizes a former residential kitchen area for temporary detainee holding-conditions that do not reflect contemporary public safety best practices. Additionally, the building's exterior components, including siding, gutters, windows, and roof, are in significant need of repair and replacement. This project will transform the facility into a modern, sustainable public safety asset that benefits residents, businesses, and visitors while relieving undue financial pressure on local property taxpayers, making it a prudent and impactful investment of federal funds.

8. Hope Township Volunteer Fire Department Engine Truck Replacement 

• Subcommittee: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Township of Hope
• Recipient Address: 407 County Route 611 PO Box 284 Hope Township, NJ 07844
• County: Warren
• Amount: $756,406
• Justification: The funding would be used for the purchase a new fire engine for the Hope Township Volunteer Fire Department. The current engine, which is approximately 20 years old, is nearing the end of its service life. Replacing this aging vehicle is essential to maintaining dependable fire emergency response capabilities and protecting the residents of Hope. A new fire engine will improve reliability, reduce out-of-service time, and strengthen the Township's capacity to respond to fires and other emergencies within our own municipality, those surrounding us and especially Route 80 which runs through our area. It will also enhance firefighter safety by incorporating modern safety standards and updated equipment.

9. Clark Sanitary Sewer Infiltration and Inflow Correction and Rehabilitation Project 

• Subcommittee: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Township of Clark
• Recipient Address: 430 Westfield Avenue Clark Township, NJ 07066
• County: Union
• Amount: $2,500,000
• Justification: The funding would be used for a phased, condition-based sanitary sewer rehabilitation and replacement program that will target high-priority segments of the system which will be identified through inspection and flow analysis. This will include Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) Rehabilitation, Full Sewer Main Replacement, Manhole Rehabilitation, and Joint Sealing and Point Repairs as needed. By stabilizing and rehabilitating the aging sanitary sewer infrastructure, the Township will prevent untreated wastewater from potentially impacting the Pumpkin Patch Brook, the Clark Wildlife Preserve (formerly the Middlesex Water Company Reservoir), and the Rahway River Basin. This directly supports water quality protection within the watershed and advances the objectives of the Clean Water Act.

10. Mine Hill Transite Water Main Replacement Project

• Subcommittee: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Mine Hill Township
• Recipient Address: 10 Baker Street Mine Hill, NJ 07803
• County: Morris
• Amount: $1,814,000
• Justification: The funding would be used for a water main project that will replace 5,307 linear feet of Transite water main. Transite is an asbestos-cement pipe made of 20% asbestos. These pipes have been in the ground for over 40 years and have started to fail. The proposed project, including replacement of in-service transite (AC) pipe, represents a proactive and responsible approach to infrastructure management. Replacement will improve system efficiency, water quality, lower repair costs, and help preserve the long-term reliability of the water distribution system.

11. Sparta Township Lead Service Line Replacement Project

• Subcommittee: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Sparta Township
• Recipient Address: 65 Main Street Sparta Township, NJ 07871
• County: Sussex
• Amount: $2,520,000
• Justification: The funding would be used for the replacement of approximately 210 lead and galvanized steel service lines across Sparta Township. This will enable Sparta to accelerate compliance with New Jersey's Service Line Replacement Law (P.L. 2021, Ch. 183), which mandates full replacement of all lead service lines by 2031 to safeguard public health. The project includes comprehensive identification of service line materials through record reviews, inspections, curb box excavations, and water testing, followed by full replacement of any lines confirmed to contain lead or galvanized steel. New copper service lines will be installed from the water main to each building, with temporary water shutoff, excavation, reconnection, system flushing, and full restoration of disturbed surfaces completed efficiently, typically within one to two days. By modernizing essential water infrastructure now, Sparta Township will protect public health, improve water quality, and ensure long term reliability of its drinking water system well ahead of the mandated schedule.

12. Branchburg Emergency Operations Center

• Subcommittee: Homeland Security
• Recipient: Branchburg Township
• Recipient Address: 1077 US Highway 202 N Branchburg, NJ 08876
• County: Somerset
• Amount: $2,250,000
• Justification: The funding would be used for the renovation of Branchburg's Emergency Management facility. This project will provide adequate and modern facilities for the Office of Emergency Management, a necessary upgrade to protect Branchburg's rapidly growing community and heavily trafficked commuter corridors on US Route 202 and US Route 22.

13. Flemington Borough Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Development Project

• Subcommittee: Homeland
• Recipient: Flemington Borough
• Recipient Address: 38 Park Avenue Flemington, NJ 08822
• County: Hunterdon
• Amount: $1,387,500
• Justification: The funding would be used for the construction of a modern Emergency Operations Center for the Borough's Office of Emergency Management. Historically, the front section of the former police station housed the Flemington Borough Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Following a roof failure, the OEM was forced to evacuate the building and has temporarily relocated to the basement of Flemington Borough Hall. This location is not suitable for emergency operations as it is flood-prone and has experienced flooding during periods of heavy rain and storms.

14. Mountainside Emergency Operations Center

• Subcommittee: Homeland Security
• Recipient: Borough of Mountainside
• Recipient Address: 1385 Route 22 East Mountainside, NJ 07092
• County: Union
• Amount: $421,875
• Justification: The funding would be used for the installation of an Emergency Operations Center for the Borough of Mountainside. Currently, the Borough does not have a dedicated space for their office of emergency management causing delays and posing a barrier to a coordinated response from the Borough's Police, Fire, Rescue Squad, and Department of Public Works. Being able to bring the leaders of these critical agencies together at an Emergency Operations Center with monitoring and communications equipment will greatly enhance the rigor and timeliness of their response for residents when minutes count.

15. Somerville Downtown Capital Improvements

• Subcommittee: Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Somerville Borough
• Recipient Address: 25 West End Avenue Somerville, NJ 08876
• County: Somerset
• Amount: $1,942,705
• Justification: The funding would be used for two complementary capital improvement projects: the Division Street Arts Plaza and the Giardina Walk Improvements. Together, these projects will transform two heavily traveled public corridors into vibrant, safe, and fully accessible pedestrian spaces that anchor Downtown Somerville's arts and cultural identity. The Division Street project will reconstruct and enhance the full length of Division Street between South Street and West Main Street, transforming a pass-through corridor connecting New Jersey Transit Train Station to West Main Street into an activated public plaza. Improvements include the installation of brick pavers, granite curbing, ADA-compliant curbing and a new pedestrian crosswalk at the West Main Street intersection. The Giardina Walk project will improve the existing pedestrian walkway between Union Street and West Main Street, a key connector between Municipal Parking Lot #4 and Main Street. The project incorporates new and existing assets, including an existing historic mural, existing shade trees, and existing light fixtures, minimizing waste and construction disruption.

16. Bernards Pleasant Valley Park Culvert and Paths

• Subcommittee: Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Township of Bernards
• Recipient Address: 1 Collyer Lane Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
• County: Somerset
• Amount: $1,840,125
• Justification: The funding would be used for the construction of a culvert at Pleasant Valley Park. Currently, hundreds of vehicles per day drive through the stream the intersects the park road, negatively impacting the water quality. The construction of a culvert would reduce water pollution, provide a safe crossing to the rear of the park, and allow the construction of new paths throughout the park. Additionally, the project greatly expands walking and exercise opportunities, especially for the veterans who live at Valley Brook Village, the HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing apartments on the Lyons VA campus next to the park.

17. Bridgewater Cold Food Storage & Food Locker Implementation Project 

• Subcommittee: Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Bridgewater Township
• Recipient Address: 100 Commons Way Bridgewater, NJ 08807
• County: Somerset
• Amount: $420,000
• Justification: The funding would be used for a two-pronged project designed to increase food bank donation capacity and provide targeted intervention in low-access areas through the rental and maintenance of one cold storage unit and the purchase and maintenance of one food locker unit. Bridgewater Township will work alongside the Food Bank Network of Somerset County to carry out project activities. After the purchase, installation, testing, and training of staff is complete, the cold storage and food locker units will be utilized by the partner food pantries to better accept and distribute donations-specifically to low-access areas with transportation barriers to food pantry access. The cold storage will open up a new intake avenue, as the units will provide the capacity required to accept bulk donations from local farms, pantries, and grocery retailers. This food will benefit thousands of food insecure individuals in Somerset County. This project is designed to support the efforts of vital non-profit organizations on the frontline in the fight against food insecurity and will result in the improved delivery of life-changing aid.

18. Warren County New Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Workforce Training Center

• Subcommittee: Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: County of Warren
• Recipient Address: 165 County Route 519 South Belvidere, NJ 07826
• County: Warren
• Amount: $1,978,117
• Justification: The funding would be used for the construction of a new Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Training Center to meet the ever increasing training demands upon Police, Fire and EMS service providers in Warren County. The lack of a suitable and centralized location for hosting the necessary classes places a hardship on planners and instructors, and attendees alike. Ultimately, this impacts the services received by the over 110,000 Warren County residents. The County's Public Safety Campus in Franklin Township, New Jersey is already an extremely active hub of training activities at its Fire Academy structures and specialized sites for controlled combustion activities. The County endeavors to expand its training offerings to include training resources specialized to the needs of law enforcement and emergency management personnel. A new facility will include both classroom space and training areas for multiple modes of training and hands-on activity and will integrate the office of the Fire Marshall into contemporary space designed to optimize their function.

19. Mount Olive Township Police Department Facility Expansion

• Subcommittee: Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Mount Olive Township
• Recipient Address: 204 Flanders Drakestown Road Budd Lake, NJ 07828
• County: Morris
• Amount: $2,000,000
• Justification: The funding would be used for the construction, reconstruction, and renovation of the existing 3,460 square feet vacated by the Health Department to expand the current footprint of the police department. The project is needed to address the long-standing, critical infrastructure deficiency that hinders modern, efficient, and safe public safety operations. The current, undersized facility poses significant risks to operational capacity, limits the ability to implement updated technology and training, and restricts necessary staffing levels needed to serve a growing population. This investment will directly enhance public safety, improve officer wellness, and provide essential, secure space for effective, community-oriented policing.

20. Watchung Valley Road Sidewalk Improvements

• Subcommittee: Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Recipient: Borough of Watchung
• Recipient Address: 15 Mountain Boulevard Watchung Borough, NJ 07069
• County: Somerset
• Amount: $1,772,928
• Justification: The funding would be used to reconstruct approximately 7,000 linear feet of sidewalk on Valley Road, between Knightsbridge and Bayberry Lane in Watchung. Valley Road is a major thoroughfare in Watchung, connecting many local landmarks such as Bayberry Elementary School and various residential streets to Watchung's downtown business district, the Watchung Library, Watchung Arts Center, the Watchung Municipal Building, churches, local businesses, and parks. In 2019, a pedestrian, aged approximately 12 years old, was struck by a vehicle and was seriously injured while walking on Valley Road within the project limits. These existing conditions pose significant hazards for pedestrians and are in urgent need of reconstruction to improve pedestrian safety and ADA-accessibility within the Borough of Watchung.