Kean Delivers $365,000 for Mountainside Borough Emergency Operations Center

(October 16, 2026) MOUNTAINSIDE, NJ - Yesterday, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) presented $365,000 to Mountainside Borough to establish a new emergency operations center.

The funding will be used to convert the second floor of the former Department of Public Works garage into an emergency operations center. The project will enhance lifesaving services to the residents of Mountainside, supporting public safety, disaster response, and community resilience.

"Mountainside Borough Hall houses the police department, senior center, recreation department, building and construction office, tax office, clerk's office, and court," said Congressman Kean. "I was pleased to fight for and deliver $365,000 for Mountainside so the emergency operations center can have a dedicated space, because every second matters in an emergency."

"I want to thank the Congressman for his work in getting Mountainside this funding," said Mountainside Mayor Paul Mirabelli. "It is a great step in helping to make sure we are able to keep our residents and community safe in case of emergencies. This was a long process, and we are grateful for the Congressman's support throughout."

"This grant will help us increase and enhance public safety in the community," said Police Chief Joseph Gianuzzi. "Our office of emergency management is tasked with everything from storm flooding to relocating residents during power outages to searching for missing persons. This funding will provide a very needed upgrade, and I'd like to thank Congressman Kean for everything he did to help us get it."

"On behalf of Mountainside, I'd like to thank Congressman Kean for securing these funds for our Emergency Operations Center," said Mountainside Borough Administrator Glenn Mortimer. "Debbie Varnerin applied for this grant back in 2025. It was not an easy road, but the Congressman and his staff stood with us for the last two years and made it come to fruition."

Since taking office, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. has secured nearly $22 million for law enforcement in New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District through the Community Project Funding process.

All 15 projects that Congressman Kean was allotted for the FY2026 Community Project Funding process have now passed the U.S. House of Representatives. View the full list of projects HERE.

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