SCOTCH PLAINS – The township council on Tuesday approved changes to the Plainfield Avenue redevelopment plan that will incorporate a new piece of property that will expand the future first-responder headquarters site and allow the proposed building to be situated farther away from a conservation zone.
The 1.04-acre lot at 2450 Plainfield Avenue is situated directly across from the public works headquarters and next to the public works storage yard where most of the new headquarters’ footprint is set to be located. The property at present is occupied by a single-story manufacturing and warehouse facility specializing in spray-on coatings for truck bed liners, marine applications and trailer floors. The aim is to situate part of the new headquarters on that lot and not in the conservation zone on the western side of the public works yard.
At the start of the council’s business meeting, Mayor Joshua Losardo paid tribute to Maryann Matteo, who worked in the township clerk’s office for most of the past decade and unexpectedly passed away on October 20. She served “with dedication with warmth and with heart,” the mayor said, calling her “part of the fabric of the Scotch Plains community.” Ms. Matteo, the mayor continued, “had a way of lighting up town hall by offering words of encouragement, sharing thoughtful advice or criticism and always showing up to every meeting and every discussion.”
The mayor said that “we’ll always forever remember the vegan creations” she brought to town hall. Those and other “small gestures,” he added, “reflected her generous spirit.” Her sudden passing “hit us all hard and leaves a hole in all of our hearts.” Ms. Matteo “loved Scotch Plains and she loved the people behind the scenes who work every day to make our town a little bit better than the day before.”
Councilwoman Elizabeth Stamler wept as she spoke of Ms. Matteo, saying she “knew her my whole life.” She added, “I will certainly miss her sitting here watching us. She loved this town and she loved her family.”
In other business, township manager Margaret Heisey said that leaf collection has begun and reminded residents not to put branches or stumps into their leaf piles at the curb. She also asked that residents leave some space between their leaf piles and the curb to allow for any rain water to flow easily into storm drains. The schedule for leaf pickup can be found on the township website and in the weekly messenger sent out on Fridays.
Mayor Losardo said a meeting with Fanwood counterparts will be held this week to talk about aligning the two towns’ ordinances regarding road safety. This effort comes in the wake of the September fatal accident involving a 13-year-old boy riding an e-bike and a landscaping vehicle.
