Mountainside Council Unanimously Approves Application for $1 Million Pool Renovation Grant

The Mountainside Borough Council unanimously approved applying for up to $1 million in grant funding to renovate the Community Pool during a special meeting on Tuesday, September 29. The vote authorized the mayor, business administrator, and chief financial officer to submit an application to the Union County Improvement Authority's 2026 Capital Project Grant Program before the October 1 deadline.

The council's approval authorized the grant application submission but did not itself approve construction or guarantee funding to Mountainside. Whether the borough receives a grant and the amount awarded will be determined through the county program.

The Union County Improvement Authority's 2026 Capital Project Grant Program has a total funding pool of $10 million for substantial municipal capital projects, including infrastructure and community improvements. According to the program, no local matching funds are required from municipalities—a significant advantage for Mountainside.

If Mountainside receives a grant, the borough must spend all awarded funds within five years of the formal grant agreement. The borough also agrees to submit quarterly progress reports to the county. Unspent funds after the five-year period could trigger repayment requirements or restrictions on future county grant applications.

For Mountainside residents, the unanimous council vote represents a commitment to securing outside funding for the pool renovation. The project has been on the borough's capital improvement priority list as community facility investments continue.

The next step is grant award determination from the Union County Improvement Authority. Mountainside will learn whether it received funding and the amount awarded through the county's review process.

FAQ

Q: What did the Mountainside Borough Council approve?

A: The council unanimously approved applying for up to $1 million in grant funding for Community Pool renovation through the Union County Improvement Authority's 2026 Capital Project Grant Program. The vote authorized the mayor, business administrator, and chief financial officer to submit the application.

Q: What is the Union County Improvement Authority's 2026 Capital Project Grant Program?

A: It is a county program with $10 million in total funding for substantial municipal capital projects, including infrastructure and community improvements. The program helps municipalities fund projects without requiring local matching funds from the municipality.

Q: Did the council approval guarantee that Mountainside will get the grant?

A: No. The council's vote authorized the grant application submission, but it does not guarantee funding. The Union County Improvement Authority will review applications and determine which municipalities receive grants and the amounts awarded.

Q: Is there a matching funds requirement?

A: No. According to the Union County Improvement Authority's 2026 program, municipalities do not need to provide local matching funds—a significant advantage for Mountainside.

Q: What are the terms if Mountainside receives a grant?

A: If awarded, Mountainside must spend all grant funds within five years of the formal grant agreement. The borough must also submit quarterly progress reports to the county. Any unspent funds after five years may trigger repayment requirements or restrictions on future county grant applications.

Q: When will Mountainside know if it received the grant?

A: The Union County Improvement Authority will review the application and notify the borough of the award decision and funding amount. The timeline for notification has not been announced.

Q: How important is this grant to the pool renovation project?

A: The unanimous council vote reflects the borough's commitment to securing outside funding for the project. The grant would significantly advance the Community Pool renovation, which is on Mountainside's capital improvement priority list.