Councilman Matt Adams | September 29, 2023

Scotch Plains is steeped in rich history. 

It includes our community’s earliest Native American inhabitants; exploration by the likes of Verrazano and Hudson; the Dutch and Scottish settlers of the 1600s; the pivotal role this region played during the Revolutionary War;a rallying point for the Union army in the Civil War on its way to defeating the threat posed to human liberty by the Confederacy; and the turn of the 20th century influx of skilled Italian craftsmen who immigrated from places like Montazzoli. They literally laid the foundation — brick by brick — of what we recognize as our beloved town today. 

As I said when I first took the oath of office on April 20, 2021, never before having been involved in politics and only having been an observer of the political process, the common theme of all that has been achieved in this approximately nine square miles that we love and call home is that it has been a collective effort, always together, always forward, with a constant eye toward an even brighter tomorrow.

That brighter tomorrow begins with ensuring that our municipal infrastructure is up for the challenge.  For too long, our community was lost in a seemingly endless loop of ideas without any tangible action.  Scotch Plains has always been big on ideas, but, at times, has historically fallen short.     Day by day, issue by issue, that is undeniably changing. 

Forty plus years of Master Plans for our town call for the revitalization of our central business district.  Now, we are closer than ever to achieving the true potential of having a vibrant, great American downtown.  With the recent progress in the Township’s downtown redevelopment efforts, “shovels in the ground” is finally something we can look forward to soon.  It is really happening; the momentum of our downtown redevelopment effort is palpable.  New businesses are opening, as entrepreneurs realize that Scotch Plains is finally untapping its potential.

For the first time in its history, Scotch Plains has a cohesive and achievable plan to revitalize its downtown, broaden its commercial tax base and achieve the type of amenities that our residents seek.  We have partnered with a developer truly committed to making it happen and willing to listen to Scotch Plains residents about their vision. 

When the next chapter of our community’s history is written, it will label this period as one of the most transformative.  By every objective measure, our community is on the rise.  And not just with downtown revitalization.

A significant part of my motivation for getting involved in government was to prioritize the construction of spaces where community members can come together and form the bonds that make a town like ours special, while enjoying the benefits of an active lifestyle.  After the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, that need became even more acute. 

I learned from an early age from my grandfather, the mayor of another New Jersey community for decades, that state-of-the-art community parks and recreation areas are where a true sense of community is built.  They are something to celebrate; places where we can socialize, and where we can invite guests from other communities to showcase all that our community has to offer. 

The failure to keep up with those facilities, in the view of great leaders like my late grandfather, was an abandonment of the concept of a community.  It is fitting that the central recreational facility in Neptune City is now called the Holmes A. Adams Recreation Complex in his honor.

In Scotch Plains, places like Green Forest Park were allowed to lay dormant with rusted chain link fencing, tattered tennis nets and cracked concrete for decades.  Our parks and recreation spaces are now a significant priority of this Township Council.  Working closely with the Recreation Commission, my colleagues and I have undertaken a complete review of these facilities and have made the proper investments necessary to bring them in line with what residents deserve. 

Reasonable minds may disagree about the way one park or another is outfitted with amenities. But nobody can deny that the long overdue updates to these community resources are finally happening.  My colleagues and I have set out to write the next chapter of our township’s history by creating inviting, modern, immersive parks and inclusive, efficient, and multi-use recreation spaces that cater to the evolving needs of our community.  Park by park, we are making that happen.  After many decades where parks and recreation facilities were not a priority, and although the change will be gradual and require some patience, we are squarely focused on improving our parks.

As your Recreation Department liaison from the governing body, please allow me to update you:

• As part of a continued unprecedented public-private financial partnership with the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Soccer Club, the new playing surface at Southside Field is routinely maintained to maximize its useful life. Our parks and recreation crews now have specialized equipment that will allow them to increase the usability and durability of the new field for the benefit of residents of all ages.
• The wholesale transformation of Greenside Playground is nearly complete. All that remains before the park’s grand re-opening is the installation of the new safety surface that will replace the rubber mulch that once littered the playground (and the insides of our shoes). Supply chain issues have delayed the project. But the final piece of the project should be completed in the next several weeks.
• I eagerly anticipate the re-opening of the park so that our youngest residents can enjoy all that it will offer.
• If you have not been to Green Forest Park lately, you should definitely check it out. The eyesore tennis courts, decades past their useful life, are gone.  Work continues on the totally reimagined roller hockey, futsal, pickleball, and tennis courts that are coming soon.  An amazing new facility in our parks and recreation portfolio is just around the corner.
• On Tuesday, November 7, the capital plan for Brookside Park overwhelmingly endorsed by the Recreation Commission will be on the ballot for residents to decide whether that park will receive a comprehensive series of renovations geared at expanding the use and enjoyment of a park that has not seen major renovations in 40 years. It is great to see democracy in action, as passionate stakeholders debate next steps for the entire, 26-acre park.  The residents of our community will ultimately determine what, if anything, happens next during this election.  Regardless of the outcome of the ballot referendum, the fact that we are finally focusing on our parks after far too many years is a win for everyone.  Together, we will remake all of our parks, recreation, and youth sports facilities, one at a time.

This council’s commitment to infrastructure does not end with parks.  All over town, whether it is traffic calming measures, new curbs and sidewalks, improvements to stormwater drainage systems, or investments for the benefit our emergency responders and public safety, we are consistently reevaluating our infrastructure, identifying areas in need of improvement, and allocating resources to address the needs of the community.

To that end, there is a long overdue need to address the stormwater drainage issues on Jerusalem Road.  After even a modest rain, the road floods.  “Lake Jerusalem” as it has become known, is a significant issue.  In the winter, icing occurs. 

The problem is an underground drainage pipe that runs from the side of the road by Shady Rest, below the road, and into a stormwater drainage system on privately owned industrial property across the street.  That pipe needs to be replaced.  Currently, the flow of water through this pipe underneath the roadway is impeded and creating the flooding conditions on the road. 

We no longer have the benefit of waiting to address the  drainage issue.  This project has become a public safety priority that requires immediate action.  Accordingly, I am calling on the Township’s administration and professionals to present the Council with an action plan on the Jerusalem Road drainage issue at the November public council meeting so that the governing body can allocate the necessary resources to fix the problem as soon as possible.

We all use the Township’s infrastructure every day, whether it is our roads, sidewalks, ballfields, or township-owned buildings.  All residents can play a part in identifying issues in need of attention.  If you see something, say something.  If a street sign is damaged or a pothole has emerged, let us know, and we will get it fixed!  Communication with residents is the best way to learn about potential issues before they become larger problems.  We want to hear from you so, together, we can keep our community beautiful and functioning at peak performance for all to enjoy.