Savron Updates Township Committee on Permitting, Transportation, Redevelopment and Rev250 Projects

Nicholas Mistretta

Montgomery Township Business Administrator Lori Savron provided updates on several township initiatives during her report to the Township Committee, including efforts to improve the local permitting process, review transportation needs, advance redevelopment planning and support upcoming community events tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Savron began by noting that the township’s upcoming fireworks event will include an opportunity for residents to meet historical reenactors before the larger crowds arrive. The meet-and-greet is scheduled from 6 to 6:45 p.m. and is expected to include reenactors portraying George Washington and General Rochambeau, who helped lead troops through New Jersey on the way to the Battle of Yorktown.

Savron then updated the committee on the township’s permit efficiency initiative. She said Montgomery, like all New Jersey municipalities, requires building, engineering or zoning permits for various types of work. Under the Township Committee’s authorization and direction, the township is reviewing how effective and efficient its permitting processes are and whether changes can be made to improve the experience for residents.

As part of that review, township officials met with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, which Savron said works with municipalities on similar projects through programs, grants and staff support. One recommendation was to begin collecting feedback directly from permit applicants.

Savron said the township is developing a brief survey through its GovPilot program. The survey will be sent by email to permit applicants for whom the township has contact information and will ask about their experience and any difficulties they encountered during the process. The township remains on track for a July launch of the GovPilot resident portal, which will allow applicants to track the status of their permits. Savron said the township is also working to better explain the “prior approval” process, which may require review by zoning, engineering, the Board of Health or other departments before a building permit can proceed.

Savron noted that, unlike some municipalities where applicants are responsible for moving paperwork from department to department, Montgomery has long had applicants submit materials to the building department, which then circulates them internally for the necessary prior approvals. She said the township is looking to create a flow chart for the website and municipal counters to help residents better understand that process.

Savron also provided an update on township transportation initiatives. She noted that Montgomery has one public transit line, NJ Transit’s 605 bus, which comes from Princeton and turns around at Orchard Road.

The township has completed a transportation survey, and the results have been analyzed. Savron said township staff, Committeeman Mike Martin and Mayor Neena Singh have been reviewing the findings. The township has also received assistance from NJ Transit staff members who work with surveys regularly and is scheduled to meet with them to review the township’s key takeaways.

Savron said the timing is significant because the Somerset County Division of Transportation has announced a public hearing for Wednesday, July 8, at 10 a.m. at 27 Warren Street in Somerville. The hearing relates to a county grant application used to help operate transit services, including paratransit and public shuttle services. Montgomery plans to attend the hearing and submit written comments by July 2. Savron said the township will also promote the hearing to residents.

Savron said the township’s survey included a specific question about Somerset County’s paratransit system because officials had heard concerns from seniors and residents in other developments. Among respondents who said they use or access paratransit, 92 percent reported experiencing some type of issue, including limited service hours, coverage areas, long wait times or difficulty booking and scheduling rides.

Savron said the survey gives the township data to bring to agencies as it advocates for transportation improvements.

The report also included an update on a possible YMCA project. Savron said the YMCA has completed its market study, and township officials are scheduled to meet with YMCA representatives next week to review the findings. An update is expected at the July meeting. Mayor Singh and Deputy Mayor Patricia Taylor Todd are expected to attend the meeting with Savron.

Savron also updated the committee on 23 Orchard Road, the property across from the municipal building that the Township Committee previously designated as an area in need of redevelopment. That designation followed an investigation by the Planning Board under New Jersey redevelopment and housing laws. According to Savron, the Planning Board decided to form a subcommittee to interview and retain an economic development consultant to assist with the redevelopment plan. The consultant would help identify marketable uses for the site as the Planning Board works on the plan. Interviews are currently underway and expected to continue into next week.

Savron also discussed grants related to the Otto Kaufman Community Center and Senior Center. The township has secured $1.35 million through state and federal grants. She said staff have been participating in training related to the federal grant process, which requires substantial documentation.

At the same time, township staff and Mayor Singh have been working with a space planner funded through the Age-Friendly grant to review the Senior Center layout. Savron said the goal is to make better use of some of the building’s awkward spaces and create additional square footage for senior programming. She said the Senior Center is nearly at full capacity.

Savron said the project will need to balance visible improvements with necessary behind-the-scenes work, including HVAC, lighting and other infrastructure needs.

The final major update focused on Montgomery’s Rev250 efforts. Savron said the township received a Somerset County grant to create a large “Unity Tree” mural through the Township Committee and Rev250 Committee.

The mural will be made from 600 individual four-inch-by-four-inch tiles. The finished design will form two intertwined trees, and residents will have opportunities throughout the summer to paint tiles that become part of the final project.

Savron said the township has received the mural kit, including paints and brushes, and has four painting events scheduled. The library is partnering with the township, and a local painting studio has also agreed to participate.

The first painting event is scheduled for Tuesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. through the library, with walk-ins accepted. Additional events include a Saturday session in conjunction with the farmers market, a July 30 morning session at the library, and an evening event on Aug. 12 at the painting studio.

Mayor Singh encouraged residents to participate, saying the project will be part of Montgomery’s 250th anniversary legacy. One mural will be displayed outdoors on the barn at Montgomery Veterans Park, while another will be displayed in the township building.

Savron and township officials also reminded residents that parking passes are available through the Recreation Department for those who want closer parking for the fireworks event. Free parking will also be available.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com