Bath receives state grant for barn renovation

Bath Township received a $370,000 state capital grant to renovate the barn at the North Fork Preserve on Everett Road. The money came from a new fund created under the state’s current operating budget, the One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund.

According to a press release from state Sen. Kristina Roegner, the OTSCIF set aside $700 million as an additional source of funding for communities and organizations to apply for help with projects that might not qualify as part of the state’s traditional capital budget.

Bath’s portion will be used to renovate the 50-by-60-foot barn on the property into public meeting space for both public and private events. Renovations will include installation of a concrete floor; extending utilities from the existing home on the property and installing electrical sub panel, outlets, switches, lights and fans in the barn; installation of a supplemental natural gas furnace; interior painting; and structural modifications to allow for the removal of interior horse stalls.

“In its commitment to protecting and preserving environmentally sensitive areas in the township for the public, Bath Township is pleased to add the North Fork Preserve of Bath to its parks system,” said Township Administrator Vito Sinopoli in the release. “We extend our deepest gratitude to Sen. Roegner and Rep. Bill Roemer for their continued support for state capital grant funding for improvements to the property.” ∞

Main photo: Pictured is the barn at the North Fork Preserve. Photo by Laura Bednar.