Message from Mayor Josh Losardo | May 25, 2023
It is that special time of year in Scotch Plains when banners honoring our local heroes decorate street poles, key decisions are being made on prom dresses and plans for summer are being finalized.
My daughter will soon be graduating from SPF High School and heading off to college in California. I am excited for her, and all the graduates of the Class of ’23, but I must admit this is very bittersweet time. Can you really be happy and sad at the same time? I’m still working through that.
All eyes in Scotch Plains are now on the Memorial Day weekend. Scotch Plains is known throughout the region for our veterans’ recognition programs. And this year’s remembrance of our fallen veterans builds on that well-earned reputation.
Below is an update on Memorial Day Weekend, as well as other initiatives underway:
Memorial Day Observances this Weekend
Memorial Day will be observed this coming weekend in several ways. On Saturday, the annual six-mile “Ruck to Remember” will take place. Participants will hold 10 pounds of gear as they walk through Scotch Plains and Fanwood, replicating the daily marches our armed forces make while on active duty. Interested in joining? Click here for more information.
On Monday, Scotch Plains will hold its annual Memorial Day observance. The Scotch Plains ceremony begins at 10AM on the Village Green, followed by the parade with our partner, Fanwood.
This year’s parade theme is "Memorial Day ... Remember and Honor" which recognizes the dedication, commitment and sacrifice of all members of our Armed Forces who have defended our nation and continue to protect our country.
The popular Memorial Day Parade Float Contest will be part of this year’s ceremonies.
Please join us on Monday at 10AM for the ceremony and to watch the beginning of the parade!
Spreading the Word about the Brookside Park Petition
You may have learned that some fellow residents filed a petition with the Township Clerk seeking a special election to overturn a plan by the Recreation Commission, and supported by the Township Council, to make substantial improvements to Brookside Park. Click here for a summary of the proposed project, to take place in phases over the coming years.
https://www.scotchplainsnj.gov/index.php/brookside-park-fact-sheet.
The Township Clerk is reviewing the petition to determine whether it qualifies for a town wide referendum, in the form of a ballot question. If the petition qualifies, then the ballot question will be included as part of our November general election.
By holding the referendum in November, as opposed to a special election date, our taxpayers will not have to pay approximately $100,000 in costs to hold a special election. (The County Clerk estimated its charges for a special election would be $74,485; the Board of Elections estimated their charges as $24,300.)
I salute those civic-minded residents who collected the signatures for this petition, as they truly care about Scotch Plains.
We will be providing more information on the petition in the upcoming weeks and throughout the summer.
Municipal Tax Relief
We strive to stretch every dollar in Scotch Plains. This is why I have been vocal about the need for the state to restore energy tax receipts to municipalities and taxpayers, as this money is owed to us. Most recently, I joined in a letter with the New Jersey League of Municipalities, the New Jersey Conference of Mayors and the Urban Mayors Association to urge our colleagues in the state Legislature to do the right thing.
Some background: The taxes we all pay on gas and electric utilities are for the use of public land, such as areas in Scotch Plains where the utility companies store their equipment in what is called the “public right of way.”
These taxes were originally collected by host municipalities, such as Scotch Plains. But then the state decided to become the collection agent for these taxes, with promises the revenue would come back to town in the form of state aid for property tax relief.
That did not happen. For more than a decade, at least $350 million has been diverted from municipal governments for state budget purposes. It is time to restore the money to municipalities.
Our discussions on this issue over many months with state lawmakers have been positive. Now, however, is the time for action. I will continue to advocate for this common-sense relief, with the full-throated support of the Township Council.
News to Come
In the coming weeks, my colleagues and I will share news about the revitalization of downtown Scotch Plains, as we move towards the selection of a project developer, after the detailed review of 11 proposals. I can’t wait to share the news and timelines for next steps.
As always, you can reach me directly at
I look forward to seeing you around town. Enjoy the big weekend!
