Community development block grant okayed

By Dana Casadei

The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees on Monday, October 27, approved the 2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application.

“This is a wonderful program, congrats; you can tell your heart and soul is in this,” said supervisor Mike McCready about Christine Tvaroha, director of senior services, who presented at the meeting. 

Tvaroha commented that she works with a great team that helps make everything happen, and given the statistics presented about their work, they are one busy team. 

This past year, senior services was able to serve over 7,000 meals to 95 clients; a 30 percent increase from the year prior. Eighty-one of those clients were new, a 21 percent increase from 2024; with 54 percent being over 85-years-old, and 20 percent residing alone. 

The on-the-go meals purchased continued to rise like it did the year prior. With 647 meals sold in 2025, the program saw a 45 percent increase from 2024, which was nearly tripled from 2023. Tvaroha said they try to fit into their client’s schedule the best way possible, giving multiple options for different types of meals to be delivered or picked up during a variety of times throughout the week. 

The Meals on Wheels program offers frozen, hot and liquid meals to those who are township residents, at least 62, and have limited ability to leave their homes or have difficulty driving, grocery shopping and/or preparing meals. Caregivers are also cared for with this program.

“A program like this is needed now more than ever,” said trustee Neal Barnett.

While a much needed program, the CDBG estimated allocation for 2025 will only be $7,500, but Tvaroha is requesting $14,000 in case other communities don’t apply to receive funds for public service activities.

“I’m hopeful that will work out in our favor,” she said.

Fourteen thousand dollars is what senior services reserved in 2023, although 2024 was below that at $7,500. 

Receiving public services funds is formal based and how it’s traditionally been done. 

However, this year and beyond, the improvement funds will be distributed through a competitive bid process for public facilities and home improvement, leaving an impact on the township’s minor home repairs program.

Currently, they still have $53,000 from last year’s minor home repairs program allocation and chose not to re-apply in the competitive bid process this year. Tvaroha said that due to how much they currently have they likely would not have been able to get additional funds. They plan to apply in the bid process for their minor home repairs program every other year while this new policy is in place.

With the minor home repairs program, projects that can be completed for those who qualify include repairs to porches, driveways, or electrical; replacing toilets, gutters, and sidewalks; removing large items or debris from around someone’s home and dangerous tree or limb removal; and correcting single code violations. Residents need to be at least 60 to qualify, and the limit per project is $5,000.

The average homeowner who used the minor home repairs program in 2024 was 81, has lived in their home for 18 years, and makes an annual income of $41,600. As of 2024, they had completed roughly 150 projects. 

Since its inception, senior services has invested over $800,000 in Bloomfield Township.