Council To Vote On Senior Center Bond
A $4.3 million bond ordinance for a new senior center will be up for final City Council approval Tuesday (Sept. 5, 2005).
The meeting is 8 p.m. in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.
Construction on the long-promised new center could begin by the end of the year if the ordinance passes.
Funding for the new center was part of a $16.5 million original bond ordinance that council members decided to split into four parts for separate votes. In the process, the council eliminated about $2.2 million for various city improvements. But all members present for the Aug. 15 initial vote - Rashid Burney, Linda Carter, Ray Blanco and Cory Storch - agreed to back the new center. Joanne Hollis, Don Davis and Rayland Van Blake were absent.
“This ordinance will pass and the money will be gotten,” Blanco said.
“Yes, build the new senior citizens center,” Burney said when he cast his vote.
The measure passed on first reading with four votes, but on Tuesday five votes will be needed for final passage.
The city has been paying rent for space at 305 East Front Street for the present center. After a 10-year lease at $66,333 ran out in 1999, the annual rent began escalating. It is now $104,400 in a two-year lease that runs out June 30, 2006, Finance Director Ron West said.
The center has about 1,500 members, with 150 people arriving daily for socializing and activities such as playing cards or pool, crocheting, hearing educational speakers and receiving health screenings.
An offer by former Nets basketball player Jayson Williams to build a new center fell through in May, forcing the city to revisit financing options.
“We need the senior center,“ said its president, Charles Nelson at the Aug. 15 meeting. “For some, this is all they do.“
Nelson said seniors who worked hard all their lives and served their country should face no further delay in getting their own center.
“I’m insulted,“ he said. “I’m a vet.“
--Bernice Paglia
The meeting is 8 p.m. in Municipal Court, 325 Watchung Ave.
Construction on the long-promised new center could begin by the end of the year if the ordinance passes.
Funding for the new center was part of a $16.5 million original bond ordinance that council members decided to split into four parts for separate votes. In the process, the council eliminated about $2.2 million for various city improvements. But all members present for the Aug. 15 initial vote - Rashid Burney, Linda Carter, Ray Blanco and Cory Storch - agreed to back the new center. Joanne Hollis, Don Davis and Rayland Van Blake were absent.
“This ordinance will pass and the money will be gotten,” Blanco said.
“Yes, build the new senior citizens center,” Burney said when he cast his vote.
The measure passed on first reading with four votes, but on Tuesday five votes will be needed for final passage.
The city has been paying rent for space at 305 East Front Street for the present center. After a 10-year lease at $66,333 ran out in 1999, the annual rent began escalating. It is now $104,400 in a two-year lease that runs out June 30, 2006, Finance Director Ron West said.The center has about 1,500 members, with 150 people arriving daily for socializing and activities such as playing cards or pool, crocheting, hearing educational speakers and receiving health screenings.
An offer by former Nets basketball player Jayson Williams to build a new center fell through in May, forcing the city to revisit financing options.
“We need the senior center,“ said its president, Charles Nelson at the Aug. 15 meeting. “For some, this is all they do.“
Nelson said seniors who worked hard all their lives and served their country should face no further delay in getting their own center.
“I’m insulted,“ he said. “I’m a vet.“
--Bernice Paglia
posted by Bernice at 1:22 PM
<< Home