Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Wednesday: Budget vs. ZBOA

At 7 p.m. tonight (May 6), the City Council, the Citizens' Budget Advisory Committee and the governing body's budget consultant will meet to discuss the administration's spending plan for the Police and Fire Divisions in the Department of Public Safety.  The meeting is 7 p.m. in the Senior Center, 400 E. Front St.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment meets at 7 p.m. in City Hall Library, 515 Watchung Ave. Topics include the application of Plainfield Madison Park LLC for 100 age-restricted apartments in a six-story building on a lot between Roosevelt and Westervelt avenues. The lot is behind a block-long commercial building at 305-323 West Front Street.
I am still making up my mind which meeting to attend. The apartment complex has been in the works for a very long time. It was originally approved as a five-story building with 80 apartments. Plans call for commercial space on the ground floor. It is now in the new Transit-Oriented Development Downtown/Transition District Zone. I would like to follow that story.

The main reason to go to the first budget meeting instead would be to see what kind of tone is being set, whether collegial or adversarial, as the budget deliberations schedule calls for.six meetings in the weeks before what promises to be a highly contested June 2 primary election where control of the Democratic City Committee is at stake.

--Bernice

2 comments:

  1. As usual, thanks for the info Bernice. I hope you go to the council meeting as I wonder what Jerry's kids will do now. We had a budget shortage because of their misguided handling of the last budget. Jerry's salacious flyer didn't mention that. No surprises there. Thanks again.

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  2. It was a great meeting. High drama. Gloria Taylor telling Carl Reily how to manage his troops, Sharon saying this is the first time she has done this so bear with her (sends chills doesn't it? She put forth 8 budgets, and she says this is all new to her), and Tidwell throwing the Mayor under the bus and backing up.

    I am telling you people, come to the budget meeting - it's more fun than watching Survivor.

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