Iloro's Budget Calls for 11 Percent Tax Hike
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ttBB * *. Serving Westfield, Scotch Plains and Fanwood Vol. 19, No. 9 ^ Friday, February 27,2004 50 cents INSID iloro's budget calls for 11 percent tax hike Democrats on council hope for state aid, say they will reduce proposed increase But that's not likely to happen, accord- — actually a reduction in spending of more early because Fanwood will be applying for THE RECORD-PRESS ing to Mayor Colleen Mahr, who said fur- than $120,000 from the 2003 budget of extraordinary state aid this year. ther cuts and a hoped-for boost in state aid nearly $7.0 million. Municipalities applying for the extra state FANWOOD — In a strict party line vote, would reduce the tax While spending funds are required to introduce budgets the Borough Council introduced a budget levy. was largely held in before the March 12 deadline. that calls for the highest tax increase in the "I'm not going to be "I'm not going to be pigeonholed check, the shortfall Municipalities not applying for extraordi- history of the borough by a 4-2 vote at a pigeonholed into the was caused from the nary aid may introduce their budgets later special meeting Monday night. idea that the intro- into the idea that the introduced revenue side of the in the spring. Should the budget figures as presented duced budget will be budget will be the final budget." budget. An item Fanwood may qualify for extraordinary be formally approved at the council's public the final budget," she referred to in the aid because, in addition to its extreme budget hearing scheduled for June 1, bor- said. — Mayor Collen Mahr budget summary as budget situation, it is heavily dependent on ough taxpayers would face a 19.9 point tax The introduced _^___—^_—— "total miscellaneous property tax revenue to meet its budget increase. That means the municipal portion budget represents an increase of more than revenues" — which accounts for most needs. Compared to other municipalities of the 2004 property tax bill for the bor- 11 percent over the municipal tax bill paid municipal revenues other than taxes — is in Union County, the borough receives a ough's average home, assessed at about in 2003. The total budget, if approved, calls projected to decline by 21 percent. $83,000, would rise by approximately $166. for spending of somewhat over $6.8 million Mahr said the budget was introduced (Continued on page A-2) Feelings Little Second season Sco/cft P/a/ns' Stephen Mineo will mixed on support look to begin his march to Atlantic City with a District 11 title this weekend as the wrestling team Prospect shoots for a third straight team shown championship. For the story see Sports, Page C-1. Street for SID project THE RECORD-PRESS By BRAD BISHOP SCOTCH PLAINS — Despite a hostile response from many THE RECORD-PRESS business and property owners WESTFIELD—A proposed who attended a special public age-restricted condominium meeting on the establishment of development on Prospect Street a special improvement district may be attractive to members of (SID) in the township, members the Town Council, but the town's of a steering committee explor- planner and attorney have reser- ing the district's feasibility said vations about rezoning the prop- they will not abandon the con- erty according to the developer's cept. preferences. At the Feb. 19 meeting, one Searching for The new project, which is slat- stakeholder after another voiced ed to be located across the street skepticism about the SID con- the essence from a planned municipal rede- Weather is just cept and wondered whether a A former New York City executive, velopment project facing downtown manager, one of the Crystal Smith has started a new Prospect Street, is being pro- key components of a SID, would career as the proprietor of the posed by developer James Ward. a state of mind have any increased effectiveness Divine Essence Cafe in Scotch In October, Ward proposed a The calendar says It's still February, in lobbying the Township Plains. To read about what the development that would include but there was a summer vibe in the air Council and other government eatery brings to the township, turn 41 units, would be 45 feet high, Saturday as Westfield Memorial organizations on behalf of down- to Page 8-1. and would contain an under- Library hosted a beach party for kids, town properties. ground parking lot containing 85 featuring children's performer Yoshl. "I'm not surprised by the reac- spaces. Above, Owen Colwell (left) and his tion," said committee chair Steve The proposed building also friend Sean Mlcavitz get down and do Goldberg, "It took us several includes a large glass-roofed the limbo. At right, Jessie Katz helps months of meetings to come atrium containing a fountain, his mom Debbie keep up with the lat- together as a team... We're not greenery, and palm trees. The going to throw our arms up into interior would contain a swim- est dance moves. And below, once the air and say we're not going to ming pool and a community Yoshl got started, he had the kids do it." room. jumping up and down so fast they became a blur. In the Feb. 19 presentation by Ward's consultant Peter Steck Seth Grossman, who has helped has asked the council to rezone more than 60 communities the property, rather than have develop SIDs nationwide, the the developer appear before the committee argued that the dis- Board of Adjustment for trict should encompass all com- approval of numerous variances. mercial businesses, apartments Current zoning permits only of four units or more, residences, retail and business space on the and vacant commercial land on first floor, so a residential project Park Avneue, East Second would require a use variance, Street, Front Street, Terrill which can be a significant road- Road, and the blocks of Westfield A sift from block for some developments. Avenue, Bartle Avenue, Forest At the council's conference Road, Church Street, Grand the senator meeting Tuesday, town planner Street, Mountain Avenue, and U.S. Sen. Jon Conine gave the Blais Brancheau said that while Sunset Place adjacent to Park a multifamily use such as Ward's Avenue. keynote speech at Friday's dinner for proposal is an appropriate use the Westfield YMCA's Black for a transitional zone between Also, the committee settled on Achievers Program, and added a the core downtown area and res- a six-tiered flat rate assessment $5,000 donation for good measure, idential zones extending out- method, in which property own- The Connell Company also made a ward, lie is concerned that ers would be assessed between donation. See the story on Page A-3. Steck's proposal could make $250 and $2,000 annually to some areas of the town vulnera- fund an overall budget of nearly ble to similar rezoning requests. $80,000. About $50,000 of that Council members were hesi- budget would pay a downtown tant to approve a major rezoning manager to market and promote without further analysis of other the area encompassed by the Celebrate Seuss areas which could potentially be SID. defined as a similar transitional At the beginning of the meet- at the library zone. And concerns were raised ing, perhaps 75 interested resi- dents were present to hear the The Scotch Plains Public Library about the effects any develop- PHOTOS BY JOHN FEI/CORRESPONDENT wilt hold a special Dr. Seuss cele- (Continued on page A-2) bration Wa.m.-noon Saturday. (Continued on page A-2) Children are invited to drop by at any time during that time to hear a Seuss story, make a hat or enjoy a puzzle. For more information or Planning Board approves Commerce application directions, call (908)322-5007. By BRAD BISHOP this month, members of the exterior of the building will be with regard to size and illumina- tion of the building will repre- THE RECORD-PRESS board expressed concerns about made more compatible with tion. A compromise was reached sent an improvement to the illumination and the generic Westfield's architectural stan- with the Planning Board which property since it reduces imper- WESTFIELD — By a unani- appearance of the proposed dards. The building will have a will permit a large wall sign, vious coverage by nearly half mous vote, the Planning Board building. Members of the public red brick appearance, and will which will also fit zoning stan- and is an appropriate, moderate approved a plan to build a were concerned that the bank's substitute pre-cast concrete or dards. use. He said the board did not Commentary A-B Commerce Bank facility on later operating hours might other natural materials for its The parking lot will be shield- foresee traffic issues arising North Avenue at a special meet- result in light issues both from usual metallic exterior. ed by 48-inch dense shrubs. This from the new building on North Community Life B-1 ing Monday night. vehicle headlights and illumina- The building's multiple win- feature, combined with the com- Avenue because the width of the The company was granted tion required for the bank itself. dow appearance will be scaled pany's agreement to shut off street permits westbound vehi- Sports C-1 variances related to signage, But according to Town back, and combined with other most lights after closing time, cles to safely pass paused vehi- cles making left turns into Prime Time B-3 parking, and illumination, and Council liaison James Foerst, improvements to the building should protect North Avenue will demolish three vacant build- Commerce officials met those facade will be designed with a from Sight leakage issues.