MANVILLE: Rustic Mall presentation is postponed until Nov. 24

By Deb Dawson, Special Writer
Those who came to Monday’s Borough Council meeting to learn about plans for the redevelopment of Rustic Mall were disappointed. The presentation was postponed until Nov. 24 at the suggestion of the attorney who is handling the redevelopment of about 15 acres in the center of the downtown area.
Mayor Angelo Corradino said an amendment needs to be made to the agreement with the developer before the presentation can be made. The amendment pertains to the eight lots attached to the property. Originally, plans called for those lots to be developed as a community center. Mayor Corradino said that is "no longer feasible" because it is too costly.
He said the plans call for more than 200 one- and two-bedroom apartments, as well as 30,000 to 40,000 square feet of retail space. The apartments will not be age restricted.
"Exactly what we were looking for," he added.
The Rustic Mall was built on a site of a closed creosote plant that began operating 95 years ago. A federal cleanup was completed in 2012.
Two ordinances were introduced at the meeting. The public hearings for both will be held at the next Borough Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 24.
The first ordinance sets the rate of pay for a basketball referee at $40 per game. The second outlines the organization and regulations for the borough’s fire department.
The following items were in Councilman Steve Szabo’s discussion of the Department of Public Works:
Street sweeping will end mid-December, weather permitting.
Bagged leaves will be collected on scheduled yard waste days this month. In addition, bagged leaves will be collected on the first three Tuesdays in December, weather permitting.
The last bulk waste pickup is Nov. 18. The last yard waste pickup is Nov. 25.
Road work is continuing on West Camplain Road and Roosevelt, South 12th, South 21st and North 8th avenues. The project is funded through the state Dept. of Transportation, New Jersey American Water and the borough. The target end date is Dec. 1.