A prime piece of real estate which just went on the market has got Montclair Township officials buzzing. The Senior Care & Activities Center building, a 17,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art adult medical day care facility, is listed at $3.5 million. Within about a nanosecond of hearing the building was for sale, town manager Joe Hartnett zeroed in on the property as a possible community center. Councilor Roger Terry, a well known advocate for youth services, introduced the same idea at a recent council meeting. Despite a long-standing discussion about the need for a community center, Montclair's current economic climate begs the question, can we afford a community center or can we afford not to have one?
The Montclair Times reports Hartnett has already ordered an appraisal of the property. As enthusiastic as Hartnett and Terry are, councilor Cary Africk is advocating caution. "You can't just wake up one morning and say 'this would be nice.' Where's the planning, the needs assessment, the bigger vision...the money?"
Hartnett told Baristanet ideas for financing such a purchase, and how the center would be operated are just in preliminary stages. "We are working right now on a detailed report that would answer these questions and more. I expect it to be issued by the end of the day Monday."
Mayor Fried also told Baristanet the whole discussion is premature until more information is available and all options are explored. "There's no question that Montclair deserves to have a community center. But is 110 Greenwood the correct venue? What we need is a business plan, then we can determine if this is an assett the town should acquire." Fried added "I believe we need to invest in our senior citizens and make Montclair an attractive place for seniors to live... A community center could be a home for a whole lot of intergenerational activities."
Councilor Cary Africk sent us this statement:
While I believe it is important to provide all of our residents with services, we have a special responsibility to our youngest children, teens, seniors and people with disabilities.But even so I was taken by surprise by the insistence of some that "due to a fantastic opportunity" we had to immediately buy the Senior Care building for $3.5MM to use for a "rec center" for teens.
While I applaud the concerns of those supporting action now, understand that we, as a Council, have never put together a plan for a recreation center for youth, or a senior center for activities for older adults. We have never, as a Council, even considered whether there is a need in the community for such facilities beyond the services the community currently provides. We have done no research, no conferring with knowledgeable people in the community, no survey of existing facilities such as those of the Y, or the Board of Education, or the County.
So you can imagine my reaction when this project picked up momentum in a matter of days and now appears headed towards our buying the property.
I understand that many have "wanted'" such facilities for years. But it is my understanding that the commitment of Township funds requires, by law, public discussion. Notwithstanding the fact that we have already spent our capital budget for 2009 and there is no money left.
Aside from the law, prudent fiscal responsibility calls for plans, and budgets. And the topic certainly calls for a discussion of just how much should the town spend on such needs, in comparison to other needs.
Cary Africk
What about making use of the YMCA? Tom Boyton, CEO of Montclair YMCA says that's not likely to happen. "From what I read in the paper, the town's plan is much different that what we offer here. We don't actually have additional space available. Our top two floors, now vacant, would require extensive renovation, and that would require a huge capital expenditure."
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Comments (42)
You sound like Ned Flanders, Cary.
You know this is nonsense. You know it. Stop hemming and hawing and call a spade a spade.
Leadership means sometimes you will have to upset some people.
Here's what you should say.
"No!, No a million times NO! At a time when tax revenue is plummeting and unemployment continues to rise we should reject all temptations to increase our debt for niceties."
our town liberals will link the high school fighting to the lack of government sponsored youth entertainment in 5...4...3....2....
Maybe we can move Rand into this building and turn the Washington Street School into a shopping Mall
No, we can't afford this.
Unless, of course ROC we find out that the outside agitators that started the MHS brawl were a bunch of Senior... Citizens.
THEN this project makes sense.
As the gifted and talented Mr. Earle, Principal of MHS said-- “If those Seniors don't show up, we don't need no Community Center..."
I think a community center is a great idea, but without a plan for HOW the space will be utilized, it's not a responsible move to purchase such a costly property.
First there should be discussion and planning as to what will go on inside the building. Then the location should be considered.
I'm not sure a sparkling, fancy building is the right space for a place for various events that will surely wear and tear it to pieces. Less is more.
Gee, ROC, I assure you I now have more than my quota of people who are upset!
While some have publicly stated that the lack of a Senior Center is the reason more seniors are not moving to Montclair, my take is that one of the prime reasons is taxes.
With over $200MM in debt, and growing each year, we need to slow down.
One Capital Finance Committee member, looking at our debt said, "You know, occasionally you might want to consider paying off some of this."
Cary Africk
In a word, NO.
I can't believe this is even being considered, in these economic times, with these taxes, and with that debt.
And a teen center? Brilliant idea. Build it, and they won't come.
Before throwing money at something else, how about finishing something... like the Upper Montclair Train Station? In February it will be 4 years since the fire, and all we've had since is a crappy leaky bus shelter (now gone) and a crappy little tent in the parking lot.
Our Mayor has simply lost his mind!
"Fried added "I believe we need to invest in our senior citizens and make Montclair an attractive place for seniors to live..."
No seniors can afford to live in Montclair, most have moved or are moving out now. How can someone who is on Social Security only with a house appraised at the medium of 650K paying 15K a year in property taxes afford to live here. They can't and they don't. I moved here in Nov 2007, I have met over 25 families leaving Montclair because of the property tax burden.
I guarantee and implore everyone to mark this post. The next budget will be an increase of 4-5%. Yes Cary, you to will vote yes on it just like you did the last which was a 3%+ increase. Higher than last years. Mayor Jerry Fried is a fraud, he has no intentions of lower taxes.
In 2012 the average home value in Montclair will be $620,000 with that person will pay 3% or $18,000. Someone please prove me wrong, please......
Heck why not turn it into a community MMA (Mix Martial Arts)training center and have all the Montclair students take their aggression out on each other. They'll be off the streets and they'll be doing something they enjoy. Everyone will be happy.
Cary, then how about coming out and flat out saying "NO" instead of all the ponderous chin scratching?
The effect is that you can be "convinced".
Can you? What is your position yes or no?
No. Do some research, council members. Seniors will not move into Montclair just because there is a senior center, the town is too expensive for anyone on a fixed income. Seniors who are already here who want to cash out and move will do that anyway. Seniors who can afford to stay have a Y, museums, theatres, shops and restaurants.
Good point, Kyle.
Forget senior citizens- have you ever noticed the "For Sale" signs on the houses with the blue graduation bows?
ROC,
I thought I made it clear. NO.
Cary Africk
2nd Ward Councilor
"No. Do some research, council members."
Holy crap gurl. Then they'll spend a million dollars on focus groups and "research".
How about focusing on prudent fiscal management and let the "inflows" and "outflows" of residents sort itself out.
quakevix038 is RIGHT!!! MMA all the way!!!
Or will this be like the new school, build it, then decide.
Who cares? It's just cash.
Uh, Cary,
"Aside from the law, prudent fiscal responsibility calls for plans, and budgets. And the topic certainly calls for a discussion of just how much should the town spend on such needs, in comparison to other needs."
Doesn't sound like "no" to me.
ROC, I meant going on line to look at existing figures. Or crap, just google best places for seniors to live. I'll bet every place mentioned will have one thing in common - a low cost of living.
Anyone living on a fixed income is not going to stay here because they can get picked up and taken to a day of mah jongg , pinochle and two step lessons.
"Or crap, just google best places for seniors to live. "
Oh, my mistake. That's a much better way to determine public policy!
Baristanet has become an arthritic repository of serial complainers.
Why would a senior who has some disposable income stay here when 1. they can find a less highly taxed place 2. a warmer climate and/or 3. better amenities and services?
And,as several people have mentioned above, those seniors on fixed budgets cannot afford the high taxes, high fuel and food costs, housing costs, etc.
Bad idea.
At its most rudimentary, this is a question about what is and what is not a legitimate function of government.
I expect most of us can agree on police and public eduction. Most will even agree about having a fire department.
But there are needs that can be met by private enterprise, religious institutions, charities, families.
That this idea is even being considered is a frightening indication that the people in charge of Montclair township regard all of the above as enemies to be obliterated.
Community Center? Have you never heard of the YMCA?
Determining whether or not a senior center is even a relevant item when seniors decide to live somewhere sure as heck is a way to determine public policy when said policy involves spending $3.5mm we don't have. I somehow doubt it is. I think the Y, the museum, theatres, shops, transportation, the university, health care and a variety of restaurants are probably more likely to keep seniors who can afford to stay and we already have that.
"Determining whether or not a senior center is even a relevant item when seniors decide to live somewhere sure as heck is a way to determine public policy when said policy involves spending $3.5mm we don't have. "
By googling around, huh gurl?
While you're at it gurl, can you google us up a solution to the recession?
I'll save JG the effort.
There is no solution to the recession, ROC. None.
Whether we do it or not is one thing. Whether the town should CONSIDER an opportunity when it presents itself is another. Of course they should look into something that has the potential to be a benefit to the town - making it more attractive overall and providing services to the community.
But I didn't see anything in the article to suggest that we're putting in a bid tomorrow. Hartnett ordered an appraisal and is creating a report. That's what you do. You don't sit around for a year and hope no one buys it before you can have public hearings with no information about the property.
Spiro,
I will let you know you are wrong. If the US Government would simply stop the Iraq/Afghan wars, Cut federal spending down 10%, and reduce the corporate tax to 10% the economy would boom.
When the US Treasury is borrowing all the capital in the world it severly stunts growth and innovation. Can anyone imagine if the global economy had 12 TRILLION Dollars for private sector growth instead of debted to the USA Congress and Senate for their personal gains.
The Chinese hold 2 Trillion in secured US Treasuries, why because there is only reward, no risk. We always pay our debts(for now) and they are getting 3-4% interest for Ten Years. Private Sector investment has much higher risk, why would anyone choose the riskier path.
One decimal place difference...
$3.5mm comm ctr
buy it, figure how to use it later.
final cost - to be determined.
$35mm school.
build it, figure how to use it later
final cost - to be determined.
I would love to express an opinion on this issue, but will refrain for fear of getting attacked, mocked and ridiculed by the Baristanet bullies.
Well, Kyle M, I hope you are right and therefore that I am wrong. I could use a good economy. How about you?
meridotz,
we can attack, mock and ridicule you anyway.
fraidy cat fraidy cat
can't even express an opinion
In a word......NO. The town couldn't afford to run Clary Anderson Arena. Now, they want to buy a $3,500,000 building for seniors and other activities. This town is a complete joke. 24 months til we move, and Montclair getting smaller in my rear view mirror. It will be the happiest day of my life.
Ours too, Joseph.
If you're going to be juvenile, so will I. Bite me, AVoiceInTheWilderness.
Why is Senior Care for sale? Didn't it open with great fanfare just a few years ago?
"Take the money and run Jenny" left when he couldn't milk it anymore for OVERPAID salaries off of DISABLED people!
OOOH meridotz tastes like CHICKEN!
meridotz, voice won't understand you unless you speak in Irish.
She's Irish, you know.
Ask her about leprechauns.
I don't cook eprechaun
I do cook Sicín.
meridotz would be an excellent addition to this Irish chicken recipe
n large, heavy pot, combine soup, water, chicken, celery, onion, salt, poultry seasoning, and pepper. Cover and cook over low heat about 1 1/2 hours.
Add potatoes and carrots; cover and cook another 30 minutes.
Remove chicken from pot, shred it, and return to pot. Add peas and cook only 5 minutes longer. Add dumplings.
To make dumplings: Mix baking mix and milk until a soft dough forms. Drop by tablespoonsful onto BOILING stew. Simmer covered for 10 minutes, then uncover and simmer an additional 10 minutes.
4 to 6 servings
eprechaun = leprechaun
Baristanet is our Community Center and perhaps the only affordable one right now.