Bond Ordinance: Finish the Streetscape Project or Finish Funding It?

This week, the Verona Township Council passed a bond ordinance for various capital improvements totaling more than $2.1 million. During the public hearing, some residents questioned the necessity of the spending for phases 7-9 of the business district streetscape projects. However, others expressed gratitude for the spending.

Of the total bond ordinance, about $867,000 is planned for streetscape projects on the eastern and western portions of Bloomfield Avenue at the Verona borders. More than 40 percent of the project's cost will be funded through two Community Development Block Grants.

The remaining $1.2 million of the bond ordinance will be used for reconstruction and repaving of township roads and parking lots in disrepair. A grant from the state Department of Transportation is expected to help defray a good portion of these costs.

According to Township Manager, Joseph Martin, “This is the time of year to lock in the better prices for construction. More contractors are filling their year, and goods and services are available at a better price. If we wait to get bids, more contractors are already busy, the cost of asphalt rises as all petroleum products do and the delivery and transportation costs go up with the cost of gas.”

The remaining streetscape project on Bloomfield Avenue may include light poles and fixtures, sidewalk paving, corner ramps and possibly benches and planters. Phase 7 of the project stretches from Linn Drive, westward to White Rock Road at a cost of about $232,000. Phase 8 will run from Park Place up the Avenue to Park Avenue at a cost of around $274,000. Phase 9 includes the portion of Bloomfield Avenue, from Park Avenue east to Elmwood Road and Everett Field. The cost for that final phase is estimated at about $369,000. The two Block Grants will offset the actual costs by about $367,000.

During the public hearing segment on this ordinance, no one voiced objections to the street reconstruction plans. At a cost of approximately $1.1 million, these include drainage system improvements near Rockland Terrace, as well as reconstruction of portions of Morningside Road, Fairway Avenue, Fells Road and Vincent Place. Of the cost, a grant for $240,000 from the N.J. Department of Transportation is expected to help reduce the financial burden on the Township.

However, some residents voiced their opposition to the streetscape expense and completion of the last three phases. Requests included putting these plans on hold for now and asking if it is really necessary to “decorate” outside of the central business district.

Just as many people thought favorably of these projects. Some comments consisted of reminders that these are the doorways to Verona, and that it's important to encourage potential new home buyers, developers and new businesses before they get to the corner of Bloomfield and Lakeside.

Councilmember Jay Sniatkowski calculated the streetscape costs, taking into account the actual costs, minus the Community Development Block Grants, and adding interest due over the 15-year life of the bond. Dividing that by the ratable tax rate of .0019, with an average home value of $350,000, it worked out to a cost per household of less than $7 per year to pay for the project.

“If this project is fairly explained to the residents, I am confident that most would support fixing up their downtown and completing the project for $6.65 per household, per year and under $100 over the 15 years,” he said.

The bond ordinance was approved unanimously.