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Residents press council on redevelopment study for first-aid squad property; council cites strategy to maximize tax revenue
Summary
Residents asked why the borough is commissioning redevelopment studies instead of auctioning a former first-aid squad property; council members said a redevelopment plan can increase sale value and future tax revenue and that study funding was included in the budget.
A number of residents pressed the council during public comment about the borough’s approach to the former first-aid squad property and related auction properties on Willis Avenue. Mike Nardini questioned why the borough would pay engineers to study redevelopment instead of placing the property directly at auction, saying a referendum had indicated residents wanted disposition and raising concerns about additional engineer costs.
Councilman DeMeo responded that the referendum only instructed that the property be divested; it did not dictate process. He said redevelopment designation allows the borough to control development outcomes, work with a developer to achieve higher sale prices, and potentially generate significantly more tax revenue over time than a single auction sale. DeMeo said the study is being done as part of a larger redevelopment effort that includes other properties and that funds to pay for the study were included in prior budget changes, a point CFO Marceau confirmed.
Council members acknowledged the risk that a redevelopment plan need not result in an immediate sale, but emphasized the potential for greater long-term tax revenue and land-use control if the borough secures a redevelopment plan with developer engagement. The council did not adopt a separate resolution during the meeting to immediately list the property for sale.
