Edison $29 million spending plan: what's in, what's out?

EDISON – The Township Council is again looking to introduce a $28.8 million capital improvement bond ordinance, but this time the planned $5 million purchase of an Amboy Avenue restaurant, that was being considered for conversion into a community center, is gone.

And instead, $1.8 million has been allocated toward streetscape work along Amboy Avenue in the Clara Barton section of town, as well as additional funding earmarked for street paving and resurfacing work and park improvements.

The revised ordinance was scheduled to be introduced Wednesday.

On Monday resident Joel Bassoff asked if Edison is still planning to purchase the Jade Dynasty commercial restaurant property at 925 Amboy Ave.

Council President Nishith Patel also asked what the administration's plans are regarding the Jade Dynasty site.

"There is none," Business Administrator Sonia Alves-Viveiros responded.

Earlier this month a $29.8 million proposed capital improvement bond ordinance included $5 million to purchase the Jade Dynasty property even though listing sale price is $2.2 million. The website The Real Estate Book lists Joseph Coyle, a township councilman, as the property's listing agent.

More: Edison residents facing tax increase in 2024 proposed budget

That ordinance was removed from the agenda before the council's regular May 8 meeting, without any reason mentioned. Prior to the removal, Alves-Viveiros had said the restaurant building on a .65-acre site was being considered for conversion into a community center, at neighborhood residents request.

Clara Barton residents have repeatedly called for the town to ban four-story high-density developments along Amboy Avenue especially on sites like the Jade Dynasty and the former Stewart's restaurant properties near the New Jersey Turnpike. The residents are looking to preserve the existing character of their neighborhood.

Bassoff also mentioned the Planning Board has missed the 45-day deadline to come back with a report on repealing the existing four-story ordinance for Amboy Avenue and asked when the repeal of that ordinance will return to the agenda.

Hank Bignell, township director of planning and engineering, said the Planning Board received the council's request to look at changing the Amboy Avenue ordinance from four-stories to three stories and because the master plan is still ongoing, the board asked the master plan planner to look at the ordinance in detail, which he expects to come back in about 30 days.

During Monday's meeting, Coyle, who also serves as executive director of the Edison Chamber of Commerce, said the town needs to consider what business owners want, as well as the residents.

"When people want to spend $15 million in your community, you have to listen," Coyle said.

For the public safety department, the revised capital improvement bond ordinance includes $1 million for the acquisition of a fire engine; $530,000 for the design, procurement and installation of solar-powered feedback signs at Brotherhood, Ethel and McKinley streets and Old Post Boulevard; $220,000 for various roadway striping projects; $170,000 for the design, construction and installation of a pedestrian flashing beacon system at Old Post Road and Boulevard of the Eagles near Edison High School; and $300,000 for the acquisition of vehicles and equipment.

For the engineering department, the bond ordinance includes $8.25 million for various road paving and resurfacing work; $1.1 million for various drainage and stormwater projects; and $1.8 million for Amboy Avenue improvement projects including streetscape, sidewalk, crosswalk, tree, landscaping and irrigation system improvements.

In the public works department, the ordinance includes $4.3 million to acquire vehicles and equipment, including dump trucks, backhoes, paving units, salt spreading equipment, tree removal vehicles and equipment utility vehicles; $1.7 million for various building improvements and renovations including construction and repairs, lighting, alarm systems, and HVAC systems; $6.8 million for various park improvements; and $1.65 million to acquire and install fuel tanks.

The ordinance also includes $85,000 for the acquisition of vehicles and equipment for the recreation department and $425,000 to acquire and install network infrastructure component and switches in the information technology department and upgrade the telecommunication system.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Edison NJ $29 million spending plan: what's in, what's out?