Message from Mayor Josh Losardo | May 9, 2025
As we look ahead to another productive year in Scotch Plains, I am proud to share highlights from our 2025 Municipal Budget that directly reflect on your feedback and our shared priorities for safety, infrastructure, and quality of life.
🚸 Enhancing Pedestrian Safety
We’re committing $142,000 toward new traffic calming signs and signals across key locations in town. These will help slow down traffic, increase visibility near crosswalks and schools, and ultimately make our streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Whether it’s children walking to school or neighbors out for an evening stroll, traffic safety is a top priority.
🚻 Upgrading Park Facilities
We’re launching a five-year plan to improve the bathrooms in every municipal park. Clean, modern, and accessible restroom facilities are long overdue; this important investment will make our parks more welcoming for all. Renovations will be phased in to minimize disruptions, starting with the most frequently-used parks.
🌧️ Preparing for the Future: Stormwater System Mapping
This year’s budget also includes funding to develop a comprehensive map of our stormwater system. This project may not be visible day-to-day, but it’s critically important. With detailed mapping, we can better manage stormwater runoff, identify problem areas, and plan infrastructure improvements that reduce flooding and protect property—especially as severe weather becomes more frequent.
🏌️ Improvements at Shady Rest Country Club
We’re proud to continue enhancing one of Scotch Plains’ most treasured historic landmarks. With the assistance of funding from Trenton, we are replacing the protective netting at the Shady Rest Country Club and repaving the main parking lot. These upgrades will improve safety, usability, and the overall experience for all visitors to this important community space, which continues to grow as a destination for recreation, history, gathering and golfing.
Strengthening Public Safety
Your safety remains our top concern; this year’s budget includes key investments to ensure fast, reliable emergency services. We will be constructing a dedicated space for our Southside Ambulance at the Southside Firehouse on Martine Avenue, allowing quicker EMS response times to neighborhoods on the south side of Scotch Plains. In addition, we’re funding critical upgrades to our police vehicles to ensure our officers have the tools they need to serve and protect with efficiency and safety. These improvements help reinforce our commitment to responsive, community-focused public safety services.
Each of these investments is rooted in long-term planning, smart budgeting, and a clear commitment to the wellbeing of our residents. We’re taking a balanced approach: addressing today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.
As always, we welcome your input. Community engagement—through our council meetings, surveys, or just conversations at local events—plays a vital role in shaping these priorities. I want to thank you for continuing to speak up, stay involved, and work with us to keep Scotch Plains a place we’re all proud to call home.
