Redevelopment plans, road safety, school improvement costs, and water quality topped the agenda at the August 5 Borough Council meeting.
Pennington Redevelopment Plans
The Borough has made recent progress on redevelopment plans. The Blackwell and Landfill properties have been designated as “areas in need of redevelopment,” and the Chill property is being considered.
Blackwell Properties (Block 205, Lots 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
This area covers approximately four acres on the south side of Brookside Avenue stretching from Green Street to North Main.
At the August 5 meeting, the Council designated this block as an “area in need of redevelopment” as defined by the New Jersey Local Redevelopment and Housing Law. Prior to the August meeting, Borough planner James Kyle of Kyle McManus Associates (KMA) had drafted a preliminary investigation report with photos of several dilapidated buildings on the properties.
Kyle presented the report at a public work session on July 29 and at a Planning Board meeting in June. Several residents at the July session expressed approval for redevelopment, and The Watershed Institute’s municipal policy specialist Susan Bristol offered to assist the Borough during the planning process.
What’s next: Kyle will prepare a plan for the area and will submit it to the Council and a redevelopment committee (being formed) for review.
“I want the public to be as engaged as possible,” said Mayor Davy who will be scheduling public sessions on the plan.
Landfill Property (Block 206, Lots 4, 5 and 12)
Consisting of approximately 8.5 acres, the Landfill Property is located on the north side of West Delaware Avenue and south of Broemel Place, immediately west of the railroad.
At the July 29 work session, Excel Environmental Resources president Lawra Dodge reported that Pennington was awarded $250,000 from New Jersey’s Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF) for the project.
The Council had already designated this group of properties to be an “area in need of redevelopment” in March 2024 based on a preliminary investigation report by KMA. The investigation concluded that soil and topographic conditions on the former landfill site are in poor condition, and surrounding buildings are dilapidated.
Currently, Excel is proceeding with soil investigation, Dodge said, adding that the Borough could receive additional money from HDSRF if ongoing test results show that more extensive work is needed.
Chill Property (Block 201, Lots 6 and 7)
This area is located at 2 Route 31, the site of a former Wells Fargo bank (intersection of Delaware Avenue and 31).
At the August 5 meeting, Council approved a resolution to conduct a preliminary investigation report to determine if the property qualifies as an “area in need of redevelopment.” Investigation results will be presented to the Council and the public to determine future action.
Redevelopment Committee Being Formed
Davy said he will be creating a Redevelopment Committee to help move the projects forward. The committee will comprise about seven people including Davy, staff, council, planning board members, and Borough planner Kyle. The group will work with property owners, planners, and community groups, and will participate in several public sessions.
New Traffic Light for Ingleside and Route 31
As reporter by MercerMe, Borough administrator GP Caminiti announced that a traffic signal on Route 31 and Ingleside Avenue will be installed in 2025 although he did not have a date at this time.
Resident Weighs-in on Cost of School Improvements
During a public session of the August meeting, resident Meredith Moore spoke about her concern about the $87 million-plus that the Board of Education is seeking for school improvements. The tax impact for a Pennington home assessed at $487,463 would be $515, according to the HVRSD Bond Referendum website. A referendum is up for public vote September 17.
“It will have a huge impact on Pennington,” said Moore, who urged people to express their views on the referendum to the media.
Water Quality Progress
Caminiti reported on the Borough’s status in meeting Federal and State water quality standards and progress in filing claims against DuPont, 3M, and Tyco for releasing toxic chemicals into the municipal water system.
Caminiti is working with the Remington & Vernick Engineers company to navigate the claims process, and he is meeting with Bristol in fulfilling DEP requirements and the Borough’s commitment to provide safe drinking water. In addition to Bristol’s work with the Watershed Institute, she has worked with the borough of Rocky Hill in addressing its water quality issues.
The next Borough Council meeting is scheduled for September 9.
