TRENTON , N.J. – New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Susan Bass Levin today announced the award of a $53,600 Sharing Available Resources Efficiently (SHARE) Grant to Chatham Township and Chatham Borough, both in Morris County.

“This grant shows the benefit of towns working towards a cooperative partnership to improve government services for our citizens,” said Commissioner Levin. “Across the state, shared services have resulted in greater efficiency, less duplication and more cost savings.”

Chatham Township and Chatham Borough will use the grant money to assist with the implementation of a shared recreation scheduling system and shared recreational programming.

DCA’s SHARE program provides assistance for the study or implementation of any regional service agreement, or for the coordination of programs and services authorized under the Interlocal Services Act, the Municipal Consolidation Act and the Consolidated Municipal Services Act. These grants are funded through the New Jersey Regional Efficiency Development Incentive Program and are available to local governments and nonprofit organizations.

Several changes were made to the SHARE program this year. A County Coordination Grant to support county government shared service assistance is now available. Applicants will now receive preliminary notice of funding decisions within 10 business days of receipt of a complete application package. Also, increased grant amounts may be authorized on a conditional basis to assist projects in cases where the nature or complexity of the project or the number of participants requires additional resources.

More information on the SHARE program can be obtained by calling 609-984-7764, or by going online at www.nj.gov/dca/lgs/.