Deputy Mayor Fred Profeta caused a stir at the January 9 budget priority meeting at Town Hall by proposing the merger of South Orange and Maplewood's libraries, including the proposed closure and sale of the main branch building of the Maplewood library on Baker Street.

A number of "library partisans" got wind of the proposal and showed up at the meeting to voice support for Maplewood's library system as is. A number of commenters on Maplewoodonline.com were less circumspect in their criticisms of Profeta.

In an interview on Sunday, Profeta explained all the proposals that he made, many of which were overshadowed by the library conversation.

As detailed in Profeta's prepared comments for the meeting, the deputy mayor also proposed taxing the Woman's Club, developing a portion of the Maplewood Country Club site, selling and/or developing the post office property in Maplewood Village, leasing rooftop space on town-owned buildings to solar power investors, and more. 

On the topic of the Woman's Club, other Township Committee members agreed that this was a viable options for seeing additional revenues for the Town in the near term: It was a proposal that could actually yield results impacting the current budget. Although the Woman's Club is a non-profit, Profeta has "some legal information that they don't qualify" for property tax exemption due to the "revenue they take in." Profeta said that the Town needs to complete further research on this issue.

Regarding the Woman's Club building, Profeta wants to make it clear: "I would not touch the building. I want to make sure it is protected and included in the Maplewood Village Alliance."

A more compelling long-term strategy for Profeta is the development of the Maplewood Country Club. Profeta explained that during his term as mayor he had in-depth discussions with the leadership of the country club as well as two very interested developers. Viable proposals including developing the upper, elevated quarter of the property near Millburn as luxury housing and leaving the remainder of the property as an environmental park or 9-hole golf course. The Country Club could continue to operate its catering hall business in the main building.

What of locals who say the land is zoned for affordable housing? Profeta said the Mt. Laurel suit settlement stipulated that only a portion of the zoned residential development be affordable. Profeta said the Town could petition to have that requirement waived however sine the Town is in compliance with affordable housing requirements. "We're in the black with affordable housing. We're ahead."

What of the idea of developing a hotel on a portion of Township land that sparked some heated commentary on MOL?

"It was just an idea," said Profeta. "The point is, if we add open space then we could afford to sell off another portion of the park close to the Village. A number of people think the town would profit with a small hotel." Profeta mentioned that when there are school reunions or parents come to visit children or vice versa, "there is no place to stay"—save Les Saisons, which can only accommodate a few visitors. Still, "there's nothing magical about a hotel," said Profeta, who also felt the town could benefit from development of an office or medical building.

On the topic of solar panels, Profeta is very articulate and energetic. After all, green energy is his thing. One commenter at the budget priority meeting mentioned that the Township would have to shore up buildings to meet the added weight of solar panels. Profeta said this comment was "very wise." "We are evaluating the Public Works building now. The first step is to evaluate the structure and then the question is, 'Is it worth it?'"

Profeta said that solar panel technology is improving rapidly and today's panels, including something called "thin film," are cheaper, lighter and more efficient than their predecessors. "We have all this roof space. We should maximize its potential." Besides DPW, Town Hall and the Fire Deparment (the Police and Court building is already equipped), the Town could generate revenue for the schools using school roofs.

Profeta launched into an in-depth explanation of Solar RECs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits or Certificates). He explained that the state has goals for renewable energy that utilities are required to meet by 2020. The utilities can generate renewable energy themselves or pay others to do it. That's where Maplewood can pick up some revenue. "We can sell our Solar RECs on the market," said Profeta. Last year, "We made $14,000 on the power we produced at the police station." Profeta said many private investors are renting roofs across the state and selling RECs to utilities. There are also powerful Federal incentives for green energy initiatives.

Profeta also proposed moving on redevelopment of the post office site in Maplewood Village—another long-term proposal as the leases for the land and building expire in 2013. Profeta explained that the Township owns the land and leases it to the Finkel Estate. The Finkel Estate, in return, owns the building and leases it to the U.S. Post Office.

As mayor, Profeta tried to get the Post Office to move out early but he "couldn't get to the top" even with the help of Senator Menendez. "We had an alternative location for sorting but they couldn't get their heads around it." Profeta said the Post Office would need to retain a retail location in the Village but that otherwise the land was a "hugely valuable place" for commercial development. The removal of the Post Office sorting facility would also free up 47 parking spaces in the Village.

With regard to merging the South Orange and Maplewood fire departments, Profeta said he does not have enough information yet to say which fire department would close. He only had noted that the closure of the fire department building on Dunnell Road, he said, because it "could enhance the development potential along Dunnell Road," where the Township is currently talking to developers about the old police station building and where an office building is also for sale.

Profeta said, "It is rare for a town our size to have a full-time professional fire department." He noted towns like the Chathams "manage" with volunteer fire departments. "There is more capacity in this region" in terms of firefighting, said Profeta, "than is needed."

Regarding the merger of police departments, Profeta said he would "lean toward Maplewood" as the lead agency. "We have the new department and do have the capacity to add staff on the third floor."

Is all of this leading to an eventual merger with South Orange? Profeta was less bullish than expected, based on his support of the 2006 referendum to explore merger of the two towns. "It may, but I don't think you need that. The big savings is in these big departments."