Sloan Street Best Fit for New Rescue Squad Building, Trustees Decide

The South Orange Board of Trustees voted Monday night to construct the new South Orange Rescue Squad on Sloan Street next to the fire department. The trustees also voted to designate Jonathan Rose LLC as the redeveloper for the project.

After a lengthy and measured discussion, and input from several residents, the board unanimously agreed the Sloan Street parcel (Lot 2) would be a better overall fit for the squad and the village than another site on 2nd Street.

Before the vote, Village President Alex Torpey addressed some of the rancor that had marked previous discussions on the topic.

“In our last board meeting, I misinterpreted people’s intentions…as wanting to go back to square one,” Torpey said. However, he said he recognized that the trustees were being “diligent” and as a result had a better understanding of the options. 

“Even though the process was a bit rocky, I think we ended up in a place where everybody feels better about the information they have and [are] fully informed to make the right decision tonight,” Torpey said. While acknowledging that discussions at times got heated and tempers flared (“I take my own responsibility for that,” he added), he hoped the trustees and the village could have more, similar conversations and set “the emotional component aside.” 

Township Administrator Barry Lewis said the Sloan Street location fit the squad’s needs though parking would be “a little tight.” In addition, the squad could potentially tap into fire department’s generator, which would be a cost savings.

An attorney for Jonathan Rose LLC said within six to eight weeks it would present the township with two different plans: one for the squad with room for core squad activities and the other an expanded building with extra room for a multipurpose space that could also serve as an emergency shelter. 

Residents Steve Kitzinger, Scott Greenstone and Lee Pollack all spoke in favor of the Sloan Street location. Kitzinger and Greenstone questioned the need for an emergency shelter. 

Dan Cohen of the SORS said in addition to saving “countless lives over 60 years,” the squad saved the town between $660,000-900,000 a year by providing free emergency services.  

Trustee Mark Rosner said he wanted to be very conscious of the developer's estimated $1.1 million projection for the project and that he would prefer to stick to the original budget of $750,000 to $800,000 to allow for cost overruns. Other trustees agreed. 

Trustee Walter Clarke said while the process had been a little “painful,” both locations were a good solution.  

“I’m really excited about the ups and downs of the last 10 days,” said Trustee Sheena Collum, who apologized if she had gotten “hyper” at meetings. “It shows that it works, that government doesn’t have to move slow.” 

Torpey said that Jonathan Rose had an added incentive to complete the project in a timely fashion so that they could move more quickly on redeveloping the multi-use building at 3rd Street and Valley Road. 

“I think this is a very exciting step forward…that will result in not only a rescue squad facility that meets the needs of the rescue squad but also an incredible project at 3rd and Valley,” Torpey said.