New Jersey Approves Storm Buyouts in East Brunswick

New Jersey has purchased the first of seven flood-damaged homes in East Brunswick under a Superstorm Sandy program.

The home on Squire Street was purchased for $193,073, based on pre-Sandy market values from an independent appraisal. Because the neighborhood is considered a historic district, photos will be taken and an oral history will be collected from residents. A contractor will be trained to identify cultural material that may be discovered during demolition.

The $300 million program seeks to buy homes from willing sellers in areas that have been plagued by flooding and return the land to open spaces.

So far, 317 homeowners in five towns have accepted buyout offers.

None of the money has gone to Monmouth and Ocean counties, which were hardest hit by Sandy.