SCOTCH PLAINS — The township council gave its approval to a redevelopment agreement with Our Lady Fatima House LLC, which will convert the former residence for nuns at St. Bartholomew’s Church into an age-restricted apartment building.
The building, which sits on the western side of the church’s property on Westfield Avenue, has been vacant for several years. Plans call for about 1.3 acres of church property to be sold to a private developer that will expand and renovate the existing building. There will be 21 one-bedroom apartments and 17 two-bedroom units, and the new building will also feature close to 860 square feet of indoor community space and an outdoor deck measuring nearly 1,700 square feet that will be located at the rear, or west side, of the building.
The exterior of the new building, which will be about 205 feet in length, will be mostly brick. Parking will be shared with the church.
In other business, the council renewed the cannabis retail licenses for the three Route 22 outlets— Lemon 22 Dispensary, A21 Wellness Dispensary and Sanctuary Cannabis—for another year beginning on July 1, and also approved a one-year cannabis retail license to B Caf Dispensary, which will open on eastbound Route 22 pending final inspections and payments of fees. The council also renewed a host of liquor licenses for restaurants, stores and clubs for the year starting on July 1.
A contract not to exceed $468,342 was approved for Denbar Construction, a move that deputy municipal manager Margaret Heisey said “kicks off” the summer road resurfacing program that will get underway in July and August.
At the start of the meeting, the council honored Brian and David Santos, who were set to serve as co-grand marshals of the Memorial Day parade that was cancelled due to rain. Robert LaCosta, who is a member of the parade committee, presented them with plaques and called them “two dedicated residents.” The council also honored players on the Scotch Plains-Fanwood 8th grade boys lacrosse team, which won a championship game last weekend. Sixteen winners of the Girl Scouts’ Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards were also recognized on Tuesday as were Gold Star families from Scotch Plains, with Mayor Joshua Losardo announcing that certain streets will be renamed in honor of those servicemen.
Representatives from Social Justice Matters of Scotch Plains spoke about next weekend’s Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 22, at Shady Rest Country Club. The free event will take place from noon to 7 p.m. and include food vendors, arts and crafts and music.
