Administrator Outlines Blue Acres Timeline, Old Municipal Site Work, Transit Study and Call for Local Artists

Nicholas Mistretta

MONTGOMERY — At the December 18 meeting of the Montgomery Township Committee, Business Administrator Lori Savron delivered a wide-ranging report that touched on post–Ida flood buyouts, the demolition of the former municipal building, an upcoming transportation needs survey, and a renewed call to showcase local artists in the municipal building lobby.

Savron opened her report by briefly reflecting on retiring longtime public servant Don Matthews, noting that he was the Township Committee member who originally hired her 26 years ago.

“I’ve had the privilege of working alongside him my entire career here,” she said, describing Matthews as someone staff could always call “to bounce an idea off or work through something,” and praising his deep knowledge of the township and his “great perspective” on issues. She added that a hallmark of true leadership is “leaving some place better than what you found it,” and said she believes Matthews has done that for Montgomery.

Blue Acres: Demolition Timeline for Ida-Damaged Homes
Savron then turned to a detailed update on the Blue Acres program, which purchases and demolishes flood-damaged properties in New Jersey.

She noted that several Montgomery homes were severely damaged during Superstorm Ida, though all affected residents were able to evacuate safely during the flooding. Under Blue Acres, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) purchases the properties, assumes ownership, and later demolishes the homes.

Two properties on Opossum Road have been grouped into “Work Order #4,” which includes a batch of ten properties statewide. According to Savron, the current schedule calls for demolition to begin in late February 2026.

“We had hoped by the end of this year they would have been down,” she said, “but we’re hearing late February.”

Two additional Montgomery properties — 14 Montgomery Road and 318 Hollow Road — are part of “Work Order #6,” with demolition currently projected for late October or November. Savron said township staff will ask if those dates can be moved up, but emphasized that Blue Acres is managing hundreds of properties across the state, and work orders have already been assigned within that larger system.

Old Municipal Building: Demolition Complete, Restoration Next
Savron reported that the old municipal building structure is now fully down.

“If you haven’t driven by yet, you can see,” she said, adding that the contractor is currently finishing removal of the foundation and basement.

Looking ahead, she said a stream floodplain restoration project on the site is planned for the spring. After that work is completed, Savron recommended that the Township Committee return in 2026 to a broader policy discussion about the disposition and future use of the property.

Transportation Needs Survey Coming in January
Following earlier discussion at the meeting about the Friday ShopRite/market bus, Savron announced that residents should watch for a transportation needs assessment survey expected to launch in January.

The survey is being developed jointly by the Township Health Department and the Planning Department.

“They’re finalizing this community needs survey, basically to better understand how residents travel, where service gaps might exist, and how we can improve mobility for everyone,” Savron said.

She stressed that the survey’s immediate purpose is data collection, not the rollout of a specific new service, and that Mayor Neena Singh has asked that the township be clear with residents about that objective. The results, Savron said, will provide quantifiable data that can be used to support Montgomery’s advocacy efforts with county and state partners, as well as private transportation companies.

“The viability of any initiative would depend on funding levels,” she noted, but added that robust participation in the survey will help the township “demonstrate the need and the demand” when it seeks to expand transportation options.

Later in the discussion, Mayor Singh highlighted that Montgomery was selected as one of only three municipalities statewide, and the only suburban town, to participate in Rutgers’ “Plan for Health NJ” work on mobility and health. She praised the collaboration between planning and health staff and said she hopes the Rutgers team’s presentation can be shared with the Planning Board in 2026.

Call for Local Artists to Exhibit in Municipal Lobby
Savron closed her report with an update on the ongoing effort to display local artwork in the lobby of the Municipal Center.

“Our lobby here has artwork from time to time that is hung from local artists,” she said. “We are looking for our new slate of artists for 2026, so we’re putting out a call to artists.”

She noted that the township has upgraded some of the lobby lighting to more direct fixtures, which has “really helped illuminate some of the artwork,” providing an added benefit for exhibitors.

Residents with a “passion for visual art” are invited to contact Savron directly, her assistant Tammy Novak, or Clem Fiore, a local artist and chair of the Open Space Committee. Fiore also serves on the informal committee that reviews artist submissions and helps coordinate exhibits.

Savron added that the township has previously partnered with artists to create joint shows around themes in the lobby and said residents can expect more such collaborations in the future.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com