Community Corner

Impound Lot, PILOT Program Possible 2013 Issues in Tri-Boro

A look ahead at what could continue to make news in the new year.

As we looked back on 2012 and recapped some of the year's biggest stories in our month-by-month Year in Review, we noted some of the issues that not only made headlines on Tri-Boro Patch throughout the past year, but reached some form of conclusion or resolution.

What we did not include, at least in most cases, were the issues that were stuck in limbo or will continue on into the new year. Heading into 2013, here are a few of the issues we think may continue to come up:

Police Vehicle Seizure Lot Still Unsettled

Find out what's happening in Tri-Borowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Although the Kinnelon Council tabled the issue for further review, no final decision has been made yet on whether the borough will create a lot for police officers to store seized vehicles and where that lot will go. Initially, officials considered placing the lot behind the borough municipal building, but held off on voting on the issue after residents crowded a council meeting to voice their concerns.

AvalonBay PILOT Program Likely to Come Up in New Year

Find out what's happening in Tri-Borowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This year, a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program for luxury apartment developer AvalonBay, constructing units currently on Union Avenue in Bloomingdale, was rejected by the Bloomingdale Council Republican majority. But as two new council members will be sworn in on Tuesday, Mayor Jonathan Dunleavy has promised to raise the issue again in 2013.

Quest for Turf Continues in Kinnelon

Discussions on installing artificial turf the Kinnelon High School field continued in 2012, with committees even being formed for the Kinnelon Board of Education and Kinnelon Council to work together for a way to turf the field. But as of yet, the project has not yet been lifted off the ground. Still, representatives from both entities seem interested, so we predict the issue will once again come up in the new year.

Butler School District Improvements Could Be Made

The school district has been holding off on making improvements to the Butler High School auditorium and reorienting the Smith Field after the Decker House was razed. But conversations are still being had about such renovations through a Citizens' Advisory Committee made of borough officials, school leaders and residents. The new year could bring more answers about which improvements are feasible in 2013.


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