Profeta Proposes Merging Library with South Orange

Deputy Mayor Fred Profeta generated some excitement at the Township Committee Budget Priority Meeting today by proposing merging the library, public works, police and fire services with South Orange. His library merger proposal included closing and possibly selling the main branch building of the library. 

Profeta also made several other proposals including having the Women's Club pay taxes on its property, development of higher elevations of the Maplewood Country Club property, sale or development of the Village post office property (the leases expire in 2013) and generating revenues for the town by renting roof space on public and school buildings to investors to generate solar energy.

Profeta said he had other thoughts about the school district, which accounts for 60% of the tax bill, but that he had "gored enough sacred cows for one day." He joked half-heartedly that these proposals may have "alienated almost all of his consituency."

The proposals were made as the Township Committee looks at ways to close an estimated budget gap of $3 million for the 2010 calendar year. The next budget meetings will take place at 9 a.m. on January 23 and 30.

Later, Profeta added that he saw library services in our society as "constricting" and not "expanding." Profeta cited the rise of the Internet. These statements caused some murmurs in the audience of more than 40 members. During public comment, library director Jane Kennedy repudiated Profeta's remarks saying that libraries were busier than ever. Susan Joseph told the Committee that she was a "library partisan" and that the use of libraries "may change as technology changes but I don't think the need for the library will contract."

Kathy Leventhal and Lester Lewis-Powder seemed supportive of Profeta's ideas in general.Leventhal pointed out that none of these proposals were new. "We have been talking about this for years," but that the necessity of having to close a $3 million budget gap was bringing such discussions to the forefront. Lewis-Powder noted that many of these proposals were long-range and that "it looks like there will be some degree of decrease in services" this year.

Jerry Ryan said he felt some of Profeta's ideas were good, others "problematic" and pointed out that anything involving South Orange would take years to come to fruition. "We're talking 2012-2013," said Ryan. "We need to focus on this year."

"Nobody's mentioned the Dunnell Road property. We've got to get it sold," Ryan added.

Mayor DeLuca saw a library merger as a good idea but did not agree with the sale and closure of the Main Library. Further, as the "son of a cop," DeLuca said he felt a merger of police departments was not feasible or desirable. "There are issues around people's sense of security. There is a bond between the community and police officers."

DeLuca did agree with the idea of merging fire departments and said that the Shared Services Committee had made progress on this discussion and that "conceptually Maplewood and South Orange were prepared to begin moving the conversation." On the post office, DeLuca said, "I absolutely agree."

DeLuca added two other areas of potential long-range discussion: development of the pool parking lot (selling to air rights to develop housing or a supermarket above the lot) and the PSE&G gas and research facility across the street from the pool. "PSE&G is undergoing a reorganization and we need to put out feelers to see if they are going to stay" in that location, said DeLuca. If the property becomes available it would be idea for redevelopment.

The Township Committee discussion and public comments were proceeded by an in-depth presentation by and questioning of Township Administrator Joseph Manning and Township Tax Assessor Peter Fresulone on the 2009 and projected 2010 revenues and expenses. The hard facts remain that the town faces contracting revenues through lower construction fees, increased tax appeals and lower interest on investments. Meanwhile the Town is seeing increases in pension payments, police and fire salaries, health care costs and bond payments.

Over much of that discussion hovered the big question mark of what would happen with state aid and state mandates after Christopher Christie takes office as governor of New Jersey on January 19.

After the meeting, attendees expressed general contentment with the process if not with all the proposals. As Chet Ensign told the Township Committee members during public comment: "I want to compliment you on this session. I don't recall there ever before being a session like this. I found this enormously helpful."

More reports from the budget priority meeting will be coming throughout the week.