Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced yesterday that the Township of Maplewood was among 16 municipalities and 40 non-profit community organizations to receive money from the Community Development Block Grant program and the Emergency Shelter Grant program.

The Township was awarded $129,860 out of the $5.9 million awarded within the county. Town Engineer Tom Malavasi said that the funds would be used for renovations to the restrooms at the Civic House to make them handicap accessible, as well as renovations to the Civic House porch to make entry into the building handicap accessible.

The grant programs are funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered by the Essex County Division of Housing and Community Development.