Scotch Plains Council Approves SPMC Budget, Promises More Results in 2010

The Scotch Plains Council continued Tuesday to defend the special improvement district's ability to make real improvements to business in the township.

The council approved the Scotch Plains Management Corporation's 2010 budget at its meeting, which totals $67,280.71 and has more than half the money — $37,000 — allocated toward special advertising and marketing efforts.

David Biagini of FirsTEAManagement, the consulting firm now guiding the SPMC's efforts, told those in attendance about the group's plans this year to instate a number of outreach efforts, including issuing special townwide magazines that advertise the businesses, networking with neighboring towns and businesses about space vacancies, and continuing the SPTV TV show, which features business owners and their products and services.

Still, two business owners in attendance said they continue to remain unconvinced that the $400 annual fee they  pay to the SPMC is worth the expense.

"I said it wouldn't work and far as I can see it hasn't worked, so why do we have to keep paying $400?" one asked.

Mayor Nancy Malool acknowledged that there were some delays initially in getting the SPMC started and that there were some "difficulties and bumps in the road." The special improvement district was established in 2008 to help boost business in town, but was heavily criticized by some for getting off to a slow start. Up until the hiring of Biagini, the SPMC was run entirely by volunteer business owners, many whom unexpectedly stepped down from the board in March. 

"They did work hard, they met monthly, they really put lot of effort into it," Malool said of the volunteers. "Part of the problem was because they all have other jobs. We really needed a manager to steer us in the right direction, and it's more appropriate to say the SID now has new life with a manager that's providing a new direction."

The mayor told business owners that it's unreasonable to expect to see major change in a short amount of time. However, she did say she was certain that the SPMC and its efforts will be visible by the end of the year.

"I'm not saying in a year our town will be turned around," she said. "It takes longer than a year to turn a town around, but I think you will see a difference."

Councilman Kevin Glover, who previously opposed the creation of the SPMC, defended its renewed efforts Tuesday and called for business owners to give it a chance.

"The money's really being targeted differently this year," he said. "There's more accountability."

The mayor pointed to the fact that the SPMC is using its carryover funds from 2008 and 2009 to give business owners $200 in relief from their assessment fees this year. She encouraged those who are skeptical to get more involved in the SPMC and to speak up about the direction they'd like it to take.

"The SID is here to stay and I think the attitude needs to change," Malool said. "As I said to people, now is the time to become involved. It's your money, you tell us how to spend it."

The Scotch Plains Management Corporation has a meeting scheduled for tonight at 7 p.m. in the upstairs conference room of the municipal building.