Message from Mayor Josh Losardo | November 1, 2024

I hope you are enjoying the fall season – despite this summer weather! It was great seeing many of you last Saturday in our downtown for the annual “Trunk of Treat,” as well as at the many Halloween celebrations around town yesterday. I loved seeing kids of all ages having so much fun!

Allow me a moment to provide an update on some other happenings:

Parks and Recreation

We continue to focus on enhancing our parks and are preparing for the next round of work.

Improvements to Brookside Park (permanent pickleball), Kramer Manor (tennis and pickleball) and Haven Park (new basketball court) are anticipated to begin in the spring.  I look forward to playing under the lights at Kramer Manor next summer!

Also, Union County has been constructing more parking at Ponderosa Farms Park off Cooper Road at the request of your Town Council.  Construction began in early September and is anticipated to be completed next month, adding 58 more spots. Union County has also agreed to our request to vastly improve the fields at the Union County Vo-Tech on Raritan Road, expanding the amount of quality recreational fields that we need in Scotch Plains to accommodate the demand.

Please share your thoughts about other ways in which we can further improve our parks and recreational programs by attending our Recreation Commission meetings or reaching out to my office at Town Hall.

More State Affordable Housing Requirements

You may have read that Scotch Plains, like every municipality in New Jersey, received our latest state-mandated affordable housing obligations on October 18 as required by New Jersey state law signed in March.  

Township officials, along with our team of affordable housing professionals, are evaluating the latest mandates and working towards formulating a plan to address our obligations. We have been working with outside professionals for many years to ensure that Scotch Plains remains compliant with state law and that development is limited wherever permitted. 

The Township has until June 30, 2025 to adopt the plan for affordable housing, for state approval. I would like to reiterate: Scotch Plains is doing everything possible to protect our well-established residential neighborhoods and keep costs down while complying with state law.

 Road Upgrades by Elizabeth Gas

Our Town Engineer has conducted several meetings with Elizabethtown Gas related to additional gas main/service upgrade work the utility company has planned within the south side of the Township.  Impacted roads include Balmoral Lane, Chip Lou Lane, Scotchwood Glen, Highlander Drive, Allenby Lane, Cooper Road, Debra Court, Wellington Downs, Eton Row and Willshire Run.  

Elizabethtown Gas is working with 131 property owners who will receive new gas mains in the roadway along with upgraded meters to their homes.

Local ordinances require Elizabeth Gas to repave the streets once this work is completed.

The resurfacing of Cooper Road will be undertaken next spring, following anticipated work by the gas utility. The Township has been very eager to upgrade the road, but it would be a wasteful expense until all the utility work is completed.

Kramer Manor Neighborhood Designation

The Kramer Manor neighborhood, founded in 1924, as a suburban enclave for Black families, seeks to be included on the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail.

Like many others, I believe our Kramer Manor community has significant historical and cultural relevance; I am a strong advocate for this designation. Accordingly, I have formally advocated that the state recognizes the neighborhood for its historical importance and to elevate its significance for future generations who should learn the important history of this community.

I hope to share good news about this application soon.

I look forward to continually updating you with information about our town. Also, as we plan for the coming year, we will be looking for volunteers to serve on our boards and commissions. If you are interested in getting more involved – and I sure hope you do – please reach out to my office.

And, as a reminder, Election Day is Tuesday. If you haven’t already cast your vote by mail-in, absentee or during the early voting period, please come out to the polls. Voting hours are 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. 

Thank you.