By Matt Nelson, Special Writer
BORDENTOWN CITY — The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the Mission First Housing Development Corporation rehabilitating a Spring Street building to provide affordable housing to seniors and special needs members of the community.
”I think they’re going to be a good partner for the city and the neighborhood,” said Deputy Mayor Heather Cheesman. “The Mission First Program is also a nonprofit organization, and it makes a big difference when it comes to commitment to the community.”
Forty-eight units are planned for 1 Spring St.
Ms. Cheesman presented the resolution Monday.
The board is authorizing a tax exemption and payments in lieu of taxes that are otherwise pursuant to New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency requirements.
The project will consist of fewer than 50 units for individuals and seniors with special needs.
In reference to Mission First, Deputy Mayor Cheesman said, “I feel like this is a positive program for the community.”
The first year of the annual payments in lieu of taxes will be $22,681, and by the 15th year, the payment is expected to reach $33,844. The payment in lieu percentage is 6.28 percent.
The building will be rehabbed with additions to create the 48 rental units. It is also slated to become a “green building.”
A community garden was already planned as the preliminary part of the project for the residences, according to Deputy Mayor Cheesman at the commissioner’s meeting.
”This is a piece of the puzzle that we are working on in that area that is in need of redevelopment,” Bordentown Mayor James Lynch said. “There is a lot of work that is going into this project.”
According to Mayor Lynch, the only factor that could make this project an issue is the ballpark at Spring Street Park, which is located at the end of Spring Street. The mayor is in the process of having the ballpark dedicated to Bordentown from Ocean Spray, which could play into how parking will be situated.
Commissioner Zigmont Targonski also added, “If we didn’t have something like this come along, it was either going to burn down or the city would have ended up tearing it down as it deteriorated to the point where it couldn’t stand up under its own weight.”
Mayor Lynch presented an ordinance that would grant resident Philip Livanis handicapped parking privileges for 222 Prince St.
The board approved this, 3-0.
Commissioner Targonski also presented a resolution that would approve a recommendation of the Planning Board for 1, 3, 5 and 7 Ann St. under the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law (LRHL). Commissioner Targonski says this has to do with the Ocean Spray site and the other buildings around that area, which will be in need of redevelopment pursuant to the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law.
The resolution was passed by the board, 3-0.
The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 14, at the Carslake Community Center at 207 Crosswicks St.

