Residents share views for future of borough

Officials were pleasantly surprised by the turnout, and residents were thrilled to have their input sought on planning for Spotswood's future.

So it went at the first of a series of meetings being held to come up with a Community Vision Plan. About 50 residents showed up at the Feb. 4 meeting at Borough Hall to let officials know how they would like to see Spotswood developed and changed in the future.

Organized by Mayor Thomas Barlow, the informal meeting offered a chance for residents to share their views on everything from the need for more sidewalks to the type of architecture that should be sought for future buildings in the downtown area. There were also calls for more recreational activities in town and for some means of easing traffic congestion in town.

Many residents said they want to see DeVoe Lake improved so that it will be useable again. Though borough officials have agreed with the sentiment, they have cited financial constraints as keeping lake improvements from becoming a reality.

Attendees also expressed a desire to see Main Street improved with more shops and possibly even a Red Bank-type flair. Another common call was for a recreation/community center, while others felt the borough needs a larger library, even it if that means relocating from its Main Street facility.

Borough officials said they were very pleased with the response from residents, many of whom had not previously attended borough meetings.

"It was absolutely a great turnout," Barlow said of the meeting, which ran for four hours. "There was a lot of energy, and I didn't recognizemost of the people. There were a lot of new faces. A lot of people I did not see before came out with better ideas."

Barlow has advocated for the creation of the vision plan, saying it is "central to the borough's goals and long-term health of the community.

"The community-input driven plan allows Spotswood to craft a vision for the future, which is consistent with [New Jersey's] Smart Growth principles," Barlow said. "I fully support the intention and success of this plan."

Borough Council President Curtis Stollen, who has decried the way that Main Street has evolved over the years, saying that it did not adhere to any cohesive plan, was also happy with the meeting last week.

"There were a lot of new faces," he said.

Spotswood received a grant from the state Department of Community Affairs for the vision plan, and the borough subsequently contractedwith the planning firm of Heyer, Gruel & Associates to assist in the process. Paul Gleitz, a municipal planner with the firm, conducted last week's meeting. Stollen noted that he liked the fact that Gleitz steered clear of the lecture format. Also, at one point residents were broken up into small groups to discuss ideas, which were later offered to the entire room.

Although Barlow, Business Administrator Ronald Fasanello and a few council members were in attendance, they did not speak much.

"I thought it was more important to be there more as an observer. We will have plenty of opportunities to be heard," Barlow said.

"We were there to watch the residents and see what they had in mind," Stollen said. "It was a great input session for their ideas." He noted his surprise at how many people stressed the need for more sidewalks. "Everyone wanted them, for walking," despite the fact that they become the responsibility of the property owners, Stollen said.

Barlow said he wants "to get everyone's perspective," and to that end future meetings will be held in various locations to attract different audiences, such as senior citizens or religious groups.

Gleitz told residents to bring pictures of certain buildings that have a style or look they like next time.

Councilwoman Marge Drozd also applauded the evening.

"It was one of the most rewarding nights I have had as a councilwoman," she said.

While last week's meeting was a chance to discuss general ideas, Barlow said the next one, planned for Feb. 18, will focus more on what residents want to see happen on Main Street. That meeting will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at Borough Hall, 77 Summerhill Road.

Earlier that day, at 12:30 p.m., officials will hold a meeting at the Spotswood Senior Center, 1 Arlington Ave., to discuss the vision plan effort with the Office on Aging.