to keep zoning as is
Rounding up opposition
to snuff mill proposal
Borough man collects hundreds of signatures
to keep zoning as is
By Sandi carpello
Staff Writer
HELMETTA — Although it will not be posted as a referendum on the November ballot, a borough resident will continue to circulate a petition opposing the proposal to convert the former Helme snuff mill into a luxury apartment complex.
At the Borough Council’s Aug. 25 meeting, Vincent Asciolla, a five-year resident of the borough who lives on Park Place, announced that in just a week he had obtained more than 200 signatures, representing more than 20 percent of the borough’s voting population, on a petition asking that the 32-acre historic property be zoned for age-restricted housing and light industrial uses only.
Asciolla had hoped the petition would result in a referendum asking borough voters their say on the issue, but the deadline to file for a ballot question has passed.
His petition indicates that if the complex is redeveloped for 300 regular residential apartments, enough school-aged children would move in to raise the school tax levy by $187,000; whereas 150 age-restricted units would result in no additional school tax, and instead would bring in $975,000 in tax revenue.
Asciolla said his annual property taxes have recently increased from $3,200 to $6,000 due primarily to the overwhelming school tax increases of the past two years.
The school tax rate increased by $1.05 to $4.33 per $100 of assessed value this year. The prior year, the school tax rate increased by 56 cents. The increases are mainly the result of more students being sent to Spotswood’s schools — as Helmetta has no schools of its own — and the increased costs for tuition and special education.
According to Asciolla, converting the snuff mill into single-family apartments will bring approximately 37 more children (17 school-aged) into the borough.
"Can Helmetta taxpayers handle the costs of educating more children? Think about it," he said.
Despite Asciolla’s effort, he was too late in requesting a referendum on the ballot for this November election.
Middlesex County code requires any propositions for the general election ballot to be filed within 60 days of Election Day, which will be Nov. 5 this year. An additional 20 days is needed, however, for the municipal clerk to verify addresses and signatures on the petition.
Asciolla, however, said he has no intention of backing down, as he will continue to walk the streets of Helmetta and collect as many signatures as possible, he said. He plans to present the signatures to the council at its Sept. 25 meeting, he said.
Council President Charles Molino stressed that no decisions have been made regarding the proposed redevelopment of the site. While the snuff mill is a viable property, Matrix Development Corp., Cranbury, is the only company that has officially presented a proposal to the borough for use of the buildings, he noted.
The company has proposed building 294 luxury apartment units and is seeking to have the borough designate the site as a redevelopment zone so that it can proceed with the plans. In its own impact study, Matrix has projected that the redevelopment, as proposed, would result in 470 new residents, of which 17 would be public school students. It said the property could be expected to generate about $426,000 annually in borough revenue, while costing the borough about $265,830 in municipal and school expenses.
The Planning Board is expected to meet on Sept. 18 to continue discussions on the redevelopment process.