December 18, 2013 • www.theobserver.com • Vol CXXVI, No. 30
COVERING: BELLEVILLE • BLOOMFIELD
Wanted: watchful neighbors
• EAST NEWARK • HARRISON • KEARNY • LYNDHURST • NORTH ARLINGTON • NUTLEY
Abated apartments approved
By Karen Zautyk Observer Correspondent NUTLEY – The blue-and-white “Neighborhood Watch” signs have been a part of the Nutley streetscape for years, but your correspondent must plead ignorance as to what exactly the program entailed. And who participated. And how it worked. I am certain I am not alone in this, especially considering the influx of residents drawn to the community by large new apartment complexes, particularly on the east side of town. The problem of such complexes--be they rental or condos--in any community, is the anonymity they can foster. Residents may nod to each other, and even know some neighbors’ names, but that sense of “neighborliness” more common on streets of one or two-family homes takes longer to develop, if it develops at all. Still, despite growth and changes in demographics, Nutley has avoided that bane of other New Jersey towns which have devolved to “bedroom communities.” Nutley remains friendly and familyoriented and welcoming to newcomers, and that has much to do not only with its various clubs and organizations, but see WATCH page
29
Rendering courtesy Russo Development Co.
An architect’s perspective of Schuyler Crossing.
By Ron Leir Observer Correspondent KEARNY – earny took steps this month to award its first-ever tax abatement for a non-senior residential development when the governing body voted to introduce an ordinance for a 30-year PILOT (payment in
K
lieu of taxation) for Schuyler Crossing at 350 Bergen Ave., off Schuyler Ave. The mayor and Town Council will likely make it official when they hold a public hearing on the proposed agreement at their next meeting on Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers. Developer Ed Russo, of Carlstadt, who recently
completed a new residential complex in Lyndhurst and has another in process in Harrison, has already applied for permits to build the foundation for the 150-unit Kearny project. Under the proposed agreement, Russo would pay the town an annual service charge, beginning with $375,000 (calculated as 10% of
Getting serious about separating By Ron Leir Observer Correspondent
EAST NEWARK – East Newark school officials, who’ve been doing a lot of talking about a permanent “recess” for borough students who attend Harrison High, have taken a big step to try to
make that happen. On Monday night, the borough Board of Education voted 7-0 to put their money where their mouth is by hiring a law firm to carry out the separation plan. The board appointed Porzio, Bromberg & Newman of Morristown as special counsel
for an amount not to exceed $44,000 “for the purpose of facilitating a feasibility study regarding its sendingreceiving relationship with the Harrison Board of Education” for “all appropriate action” in connection with that goal. That action could mean that after completing eighth grade
201-991-1300 KEARNY OFFICE 213 Kearny Ave, Kearny, New Jersey
C21Semiaokearny@Century21.com
the annual gross rents) with yearly adjustments pegged to inflation and the state budget cap; plus an annual administrative fee of $2,500; and a one-time only $150,000 contribution to the town’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the rehabilitation of existing dwellings in Kearny. see RUSSO page
12
at East Newark Public School, borough kids would go to Kearny High School, instead of Harrison High, where they’ve gone, essentially, since the neighboring communities have existed. But, of late, the East Newark see STUDY page
16
201-460-8000 LYNDHURST OFFICE Semiao & Associates www.Century21Semiao.com
TO SEECENTURY OUR AD THIS PLEASEMOBILE! TURN TO PAGE 24 23 21WEEK, HAS GONE
761 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst, New Jersey
C21Semiao@Century21.com
Get CENTURY 21 Real Estate Mobile App. Visit http://87778.mobi/c21