| Author |
Message |
    
Mem
| | Posted on Saturday, January 20, 2001 - 9:04 pm: |     |
Alceste,
Very well said.
My taxes went up 50%. And I was NOT being subsidized by the "east side", because my taxes were too high previously anyway. Sincere congratulations to those whose taxes went down - you deserve it. But I feel taxes in Maplewood were and are too high all over town. |
Ucnthndlthtruth
| | Posted on Saturday, January 20, 2001 - 11:30 pm: | |
Ffof is right.
Frank Nolan, as head of the economic development committee, recently made the most comprehensive, educated, astute and persuasive presentation to the Township committee against rent control a human being is capable of !
Excluding Liebman, his presentation fell on deaf ears. (Nolan also came out against the certified reval)
Euclidean, there is no rationale except that, against all reason, and with no evidence, Jerry, Vic, Celia, and Ellen are convinced it's the right thing to do. ( There's a lot of that going on around here. Look for more on Tuesday.)
Some where, some place and some time ago, they were indoctrinated with the idea " Rent control good· Must give the poor rent control· Rent control compassionate· Must keep rent control·"
After Frank's presentation, they all voted for it (except Burt) with no discussion on why they disagree or why they are pro- rent control ! |
Nakaille
| | Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 10:34 pm: | |
Thank you Mem. Sincerely. It is good to hear that someone in your position has an inkling of the problem on the other side of town. I agree that the taxes are too high all over and have been for a very long, long time. I just can't get a handle on how to fix that part of the problem. I don't really want to drain money out of our schools. I don't see any big parcels of land that are going to come up for a pharmaceutical or mall developer to consider. I do think that improving Springfield Ave could help but I think it will take a while before we see any results. I find this whole thing very disheartening. But, I still love Maplewood and will stay to the end if I can.
Bacata |
Ffof
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 9:22 am: | |
With the new assessments, a developer could buy up some residential property around Springfield ave at a pretty good price and create an "essex Street" as in Millburn (someone already posted this idea somewhere on the board). Then we'd get some commercial ratables sorely needed to help with the town's budget woes. ps. don't call me cold-hearted - we're talking ideas here. |
Nakaille
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 10:07 am: | |
Ffof: Sorry I missed the other post. What do you mean by an "Essex St?" I'm not familiar with all the street names in Millburn. I assume you're talking about the downtown shopping area or do you mean something or somewhere else? What kinds of ratable have they been able to attract?
I don't think it's cold-hearted at all. There may be people who would want to sell their homes or get a fair price on a condemnation in that area. Some may be rentals, most not, probably. But at least there could be some discussion to explore such an idea.
Bacata |
Euclidean
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 10:21 am: | |
What is the TC's vision and business plan for Springfield Avenue? |
Eliz
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 10:37 am: | |
I would like to know that as well - all I've heard is there is a revitalization plan but no specifics. Personally I end up spending my money in Millburn and other areas that I would rather spend here if we had facilities. I don't think Springfield will ever be like the village but it could be like Morris Turnpike where Bed Bath and Beyond is -bring on the evil B&N and Starbucks! |
Ffof
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 10:40 am: | |
Bacata-
Essex Street is the One Way road that splits off of Millburn Ave on your way into the downtown of Millburn. I don't have the foggiest as to what ratables this area brings, but it seems to me that the right developer could attract some big retail stores along with reasonable office space to produce something of what this town keeps talking about having none of.
As to the TC's vision, I guess we'd have to ask. It seems that they are only considering the least amount of money needed to just give the avenue a little "sprucing up" at this point. |
Lseltzer
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 11:54 am: | |
Just so you all know, Ffof's idea would require condemning scores of houses in Hilton, probably over 100 (probably including Mayor DeLuca's), and buying out the owners. He implies that some developer would do this, but obviously it's a decision for the township to make.
This probably sounds like a great idea to someone who doesn't live in or near the area. Sounds like a cynical and ridiculous idea to me. |
Ffof
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 2:04 pm: | |
Touchy touchy touchy! Even Bacata thought the idea had merit! |
Lseltzer
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 2:27 pm: | |
>>Even Bacata thought the idea had merit!
No offense to Bacata, but so what? And I doubt she understands the magnitude of what would be necessary. Don't think, as Ffof seems to, that all the money for this would come from some developer. I doubt any developer would pay for the road unless they got to own it. This would cost the township of Maplewood many millions of dollars, probably well into eight figures. How much extra property tax do you want to pay for this? |
Mlj
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 2:40 pm: | |
Essex Street in Millburn has some professional offices, a florist, and formerly a brothel (some may remember the story in the news a few years ago). Sorry, I couldn't resist. I'll go away now. |
Nilmiester
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 2:51 pm: | |
Lseltzer- We will be owning Springfield Avenue so so what's the difference? Ffof's just throwing out ideas. Not everyone is as knowledgeable as you. |
Ffof
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 3:43 pm: | |
And as long as we're still on this idea... I haven't a clue to how much Maplewood would gain in tax dollars and what any hidden costs would be to the town, but how about this factor too...Less kids in the schools means less tax dollars to the school budget not to mention easing overcrowding!
Is the steam coming out of your ears yet lseltzer? |
Ffof
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 3:55 pm: | |
Sorry - that was unnecessary. I take it back. |
Tom
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 4:17 pm: | |
One of the first rules of a brainstorming session is, never trash someone else's idea. It might contain the germ of something workable. Springfield Ave. is going to require more than a little thinking-out-of-the-box to make something happen. |
Nakaille
| | Posted on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 4:24 pm: | |
No offense taken, Lseltzer. I know nothing about this kind of stuff but I am interested in ideas since I am plumb out of them. I remember thinking when I responded that I'd probably feel differently if I lived right along Springfield Ave (I'm closer Parker and Irvington.) Probably should have posted that thought.
Tom - you're right about brainstorming. I sometimes forget that, too. To get to a really good idea sometimes you have to go through many incarnations of mediocre or crazy ones first. No offense to anyone who posts their ideas here.
Bacata |
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