Heated SID Discussion Transpires at Scotch Plains Council Meeting

Several property owners voiced their dissatisfaction with the Special Improvement District fee implemented by the Scotch Plains Management Corporation in an almost fully packed council chambers at the March 5 Scotch Plains Conference meeting.

The fee was instituted in 2009 in order to improve downtown Scotch Plains, but some property owners felt they have not seen anything done with the $400 annual fee they have been paying.

According to Mayor Kevin Glover if the SPMC collected the SID assessment this year, it would be the fifth time around.

However, for 2013 the Scotch Plains Management Corporation proposed an $87,000 budget that would not include the annual feel and only consist of the current money in their budget.

Owner of John’s Meat Market, Vincent Losavio who recently joined the SPMC said the SID has not progressed in the few years it has existed.

“Everybody wants to build our town up but who shops in town?” he asked.

Losavio added that the way to begin improving downtown is by members of the government and residents shoping locally and understanding how things work.

He said that the town also needs to get their name out there and bring in businesses and shoppers from other towns, perhaps by sending out the magazine they produce further outside of Scotch Plains.

Tom Russo, treasurer of the SPMC, said there are two types of people that exist in Scotch Plains, those who serve, volunteer and work selflessly to promote the town and make it better and those who contribute very little to the town and only look out for themselves.

“Frankly as a council, take a look at what is best for the downtown rather than the whining from the people who never do anything,” Russo said.

Lisa Mohn, owner of Apple Blossom Flower Shop and president of the Scotch Plains Business and Professional Association, was very disheartened by the negative feedback the SID was receiving at the meeting.

Mohn said she was also initially upset with the SID fee and thought the magazine was horrible and that nothing was being done, but she finally stepped up to do something by joining the board.

“No one cares how downtown looks,” Mohn said. “And it looks horrible!”

She pointed out that she had spent her own money from the flower shop to fill planters, but she is also trying to make a living, saying that no one even noticed.

Romano Del Roio who owns property at 451 Park Avenue said the “SID is making him sick.”

He said the SID did absolutely nothing for property owners or businesses.  He also echoed Losavio’s point by saying people in town already know what it’s in town and they need to spread out miles away so people in other towns know what is available.

“People don’t want it [the SID],” Del Roio said. “They’ve never done anything for downtown, just took $400.”

In defense of the SID, Russo pointed out that in the first year many of the SPMC board members walked out because they felt politics were interfering with what they wanted to do.

Russo added that the past few years were spent putting together a board and they just recently filled their final vacancy.

Mohn additionally said that when she joined the board she realized their hands were tied with what they could do with the SID due to a limited budget and also the fact they were still putting the board together.

“Now we have good people on the board,” Mohn said. “Good people with a vision.”

Dominick Verdic, Chairman of the SPMC since June, suggested out of frustration even getting rid of the SID all together if people are really against it, pointing out that the board of volunteers puts in hundreds of hours of effort into something some property owners are against.

“My suggestion is here and I’ll tell you I shouldn’t be saying this,” he said. “But if all my fellow property owners feel that 400 dollars a year is too much money -- we have the money, stop wasting my time, stop wasting Tom’s time, stop wasting everybody’s time, give ‘em back their money, shut this thing down and let us go down the road and enjoy Scotch Plains as it be.”

Verdic did add that for those who think the SID has not done anything, they helped sponsor events such as concerts, raffles, a car show and the Memorial Day Feast.

“Have we conquered what we want to conquer? Probably not,” he added.

Another downtown business owner, Joe Mortarulo said it was difficult for him to see so many people at odds for something he personally saw as trivial.  He suggested that the business owners come together to get involved and share ideas so they can gather an analysis of what really needs to happen.

Deputy Mayor Colleen Gialanella agreed with Mortarulo and said the property owners need a specific plan for the downtown.

She added that a word she heard a lot of at the meeting was “disheartening,” which she felt accurately described the sentiment of the business owners being at odds. Gialanella suggested a less formal conversation about a plan for the downtown take place between the council and property owners.

During the council’s discussion of the SPMC’s proposed $87,000 budget, Councilman Bo Vastine asked how the SID would survive in 2014 if the assessment were suspended.

Glover stated, “we’re not here to kill the SID – we’re here to work with them.”

He added that originally when he left the last SPMC meeting, the projected budget was supposed to be $37,500 for 2013 and $37,500 for 2014, but was later presented to the council as $87,000 just for 2013. Glover said to his knowledge Verdic did not know of this change until the meeting.

Vastine also addressed the council asking if the SID had the authority to suspend the fee, which Township Attorney Judy Verrone said was allowed.

“The SID indicates what the assessment should be,” Verrone said, based on the ordinance. She added, however, that the council had the ability to modify or approve of it.

On March 19 the council will review a resolution to approve the introducing of the SPMC budget, but it will not be the finalized version of the budget.

“I wouldn’t rush into this,” Councilman Mickey Marcus said. “There’s a lot more to be discussed and considered.”