Plumsted officials may create special improvement district

PLUMSTED - The Township Committee has introduced an ordinance to create a Special Improvement District that would provide opportunities for every business in Plumsted to participate in a voluntary program designed to preserve and enhance economic growth and employment with property tax abatements (reductions) of 10 percent each year for five years.

This property tax reduction incentive plan expands on a similar program presently being offered by the committee for homeowners to reduce their property taxes by 20 percent for five years on the cost of improvements for homes 20 years old or older, according to Mayor Ron Dancer.

The committee's professional consultant for business retention and attraction, the nationally recognized JGSC Group, whose services are funded by a $20,000 state Department of Community Affairs grant, conducted a feasibility study that recommended the establishment of the Special Improvement District for Plumsted businesses, the mayor said.

In so doing, the township would also then be qualified to receive up to $600,000 at 0 percent interest from the state Department of Community Affairs Office of Smart Growth Business Improvement Zone Loan Fund. The committee is also pursuing another state grant program, known as the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax

Credit Program, that permits

businesses to receive a direct

credit deduction on a

portion of their taxes due

the state and redirect

that tax revenue to approved

revitalization

projects within Plumsted's

Special Improvement

District, subject to Department of Community Affairs approval.

Dancer said the construction of Plumsted's first senior citizen meeting room, with grant funding, is nearing completion with a formal dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony to be scheduled this spring. The committee appointed Fran St. Clair, as the newest addition to the Senior Advisory Committee, the Senior Outreach Search, at the Feb. 6 municipal meeting.

In other business, the committee appointed and welcomed Plumsted's new municipal court administrator, Steven Millette, who previously was employed in the Jackson Municipal Court.

And, the Environmental Commission has a vacancy and anyone with an interest in serving may send a letter and/or a resume to the Township Committee for consideration.

Residents are reminded that the recycling, bulk waste, leaf and branch sites will be closed on Feb. 16 in observance of the President's Day holiday weekend.