The governing body will be holding a capital budget workshop and a special redevelopment meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 30th.
Unlike most other municipalities, Roselle Park’s government has an open process where residents are invited to sit in as the governing body discusses and decides how taxes and other funds are to be used for the purpose of providing services and security for its residents. Those public meetings also allow for comments from residents while the budget is being reviewed.
The municipal budget has two major sections – the general operating budget and the capital budget. The operating budget deals with salaries, wages, and day-to-day expenses such as office supplies. The capital budget deals with large long-term expenses such as roadwork, heavy equipment & machinery, and vehicles.
The operating budget has been completed. Capital projects and expenses will be discussed on April 30th.
Monday evening will start with a special meeting on redevelopment at what is commonly known around town as ‘The Sullivan Property”. The current contracted purchaser, Capodagli Property Company (CPC), has submitted a concept plan for the property at the intersection of Westfield Avenue and Chestnut Street in November of last year. CPC named their proposed development “Meridia At Park Square” and put forward a six-story two-building 415 residential unit complex with retail on the ground floor and a parking deck (link). The focus for retail is a restaurant.
The governing body was not enthused with the proposal and had a redevelopment planner prepare a report which had 370 residential units – 10% less than proposed by CPC. Sources familiar with the issue stated that there is a ten (10) residential unit incentive bonus if the developer includes a minimum of 1,200 sq ft. of public office type space be allocated to the municipality. If space is provided, the number of units will be 380 apartments.
CPC had a groundbreaking event last year on another lot that was approved for 212 residential units with 5,000 sq. ft. of retail space at the ground floor further west along Westfield Avenue called Meridia Roselle Park (link).