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Residents press council on tax-appeal costs and Westfield-Broadway redevelopment; mixed public reactions at Clark meeting
Summary
During public comments on Nov. 17, residents sought clarification about a nearly $200,000 tax-appeal payment, asked who is behind Clark Broadway Associates LLC (BA said Garden Homes), and raised a roadway safety complaint; an extended, partisan public comment praised the newly elected mayor and criticized a local activist group.
Residents used the Nov. 17 public-comment periods to ask questions about tax-appeal costs, redevelopment plans and a local roadway hazard.
John Grace of Clark asked about a ‘‘new tax appeal payment that’s almost $200,000,’’ and whether appraisal or process issues were producing more unexpected settlements. Business Administrator Jim said appeals often reflect backlog and timing at the county courts, and noted some cases date back to slow court operations during the COVID pandemic. Jim said there is no simple way for the township to reappraise every property every year and offered to draft a letter to state officials about the burden on municipalities.
Grace also asked about the developer agreement for 56 Westfield (the former AMP property) and whether a PILOT or similar arrangement was likely. Mayor Angel Albanese and the BA said Clark Broadway Associates is the conditional redeveloper and is in the process of acquiring additional property; the developer is expected to appear at the planning board’s Dec. 4 meeting. Delia Collins asked where to find the participants in Clark Broadway Associates LLC; the BA said Garden Homes is involved.
Other residents raised local concerns: Grace reported a power line down near Valley Road and Parkway Drive that had been marked with cones and said it created a driving hazard; council members said repair was scheduled for the following Monday. A resident thanked police and volunteers for locating a lost dog.
An extended public comment by Glenn Fogarty praised Mayor Albanese and new council members and sharply criticized a local political group and several opponents by name. The remarks included partisan and personal attacks and were delivered from the public mic.
The council responded to questions with procedural explanations: the redeveloper designation is conditional on closing and qualification, tax appeals are handled through county processes, and road-repair schedules fall under county or DPW responsibility. The meeting record shows follow-up steps: a planned planning-board presentation on Dec. 4 and council follow-up on the tax-appeal correspondence suggestion.
