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Irvington council adopts arson unit and approves redevelopment and tax‑abatement amendments
Summary
On second reading the council adopted an ordinance to establish an Arson Investigation Unit in the Division of Fire and approved amendments related to a financial agreement for 22nd Street redevelopment parcels and an extension of a tax-exemption agreement for senior housing at 1143 Clinton Avenue. The redevelopment ordinance notes further approvals may be required from the Local Finance Board.
At its Nov. 24 meeting the Irvington Municipal Council adopted three ordinances on second reading: the creation of an Arson Investigation Unit within the Division of Fire, an amendment to a financial agreement with 61-79 Twenty Second Urban Renewal, LLC concerning multiple 22nd Street parcels, and an amendment to extend a tax abatement for Irvington Seniors Urban Renewal, LLC for property at 1143 Clinton Avenue.
The arson ordinance amends Chapter 7 (Administration) to establish, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:14-7.1, an Arson Investigation Unit of up to five firefighting personnel charged with investigating arson, suspicious fires and explosions within the township. The public hearing on the ordinance was opened and closed and the motion to adopt was recorded as moved by Council Member Dr. Hudley and seconded by Council Member Vick.
The council also approved an ordinance authorizing execution of an amendment to the financial agreement with 61-79 Twenty Second Urban Renewal, LLC for property identified as Block 148, Lots 30, 31, 33, 34 and 35 (71–61 22nd Street). The ordinance text references the Long Term Tax Exemption Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:20-1 et seq.) and contemplates RAB (Redevelopment Area Bond) financing that could include issuance of bonds (up to amounts described in the ordinance) secured by a pledged annual service charge. The minutes note that further steps required by statute — including Local Finance Board review and a bond resolution authorizing any bond issuance — remain prerequisites to any borrowing or other actions described.
Separately, the council adopted an amendment to a tax-abatement agreement with Irvington Seniors Urban Renewal, LLC to extend the exemption on the property at 1143 Clinton Avenue. The ordinance records that the project’s federal Housing Assistance Program Contracts were recently renewed and states the council’s intent to continue the exemption coterminous with existing affordability controls through Dec. 31, 2061; the ordinance text references a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes provision equal to 6.28% of annual gross revenues under the earlier agreement.
The clerk read the ordinances by title and the minutes record adoption; the ordinance texts require filing certified copies with the county and specify that they take effect in accordance with law.
