Industrial area redevelopment forum set for April 6

HILLSDALE—Claremont Development LLC of Morristown is  holding an open town forum at Hillsdale Borough Hall, 380 Hillsdale Ave., at 7 p.m. on April 6 to discuss the redevelopment of the industrial area.

Mayor John Ruocco, writing to residents on March 28, explained why the borough is hosting the information session: Claremont Development is conditional redeveloper on the preliminary redevelopment plans starting to take shape for the Patterson Street industrial area. 

“When the plans become more definitive they will need to be approved by the governing body and reviewed by the Planning Board with further opportunity for public comment.  In the meantime, the governing body wishes to keep residents up to date,” Ruocco said.

Members of the public may make comments during this meeting by requesting to be recognized. Relevant meeting documents, if any, will be available at the meeting.

Claremont’s most recent project in the Pascack Valley was The James 5-story, 240 luxury mixed-use building in Park Ridge,  one block from the Park Ridge New Jersey Transit stop.

In the Northern Valley, it is constructing Englewood Circle, eyed as home to 220 luxury units and a 264-space parking garage in downtown Englewood.

Public comments for the meeting may also be submitted via email in advance by noon on the day of the Meeting to Joseph Baumann at  JBaumann@MSBNJ.COM.

Blacktop replacement sidewalks temporary

Ruocco said, “I and other council members have received several inquiries concerning the work being done by PSE&G on Hillsdale Avenue to strengthen the back-up capacity of power plant facilities that the utility maintains in our town and elsewhere in nearby communities.”

He said, “I want to assure you that the blacktop replacement sidewalks you see are temporary and that PSE&G plans to restore the normal sidewalks after the project is completed.”

Car theft warning

Ruocco also noted Hillsdale and other nearby communities have experienced an increase in car thefts these past few months. 

“Follow the wise advice of our law enforcement officials: don’t leave your keys or fobs in an unattended car, do not leave your car unattended while it is warming up, lock your car doors and windows when you park your car anywhere, and do not leave valuables in your car that are visible,” he said. 

He added, “While we do live in a relatively low crime area, personal negligence can often contribute to becoming a crime statistic.”