The Council asked Elizabeth McManus, an affordable housing planner who serves as the so-called special master in the affordable housing litigation concerning Verona, to clarify some of the issues at hand. In her role, McManus assists the Essex County Superior Court judge in determining how Verona is meeting its affordable housing obligations and whether all parties are acting in good faith.
“The worst case scenario for any municipality is to lose your immunity from builder’s remedy litigation,” she said. The development that results, she added, “is always bigger and larger than what the municipality is comfortable with.”
McManus’ summary of the state government failures that led to the current impasses in affordable housing produced the first of several angry outbursts from Mayor Kevin Ryan. “In the words of the immortal Howard Beale, ‘I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore’,” he said, echoing the lead character of the 1976 movie Network. “We’re standing here trying to make the best of an indefensible position.” Ryan encouraged residents to reach out to our state legislators to convey their thoughts on affordable housing. “We’ve got elections coming up in November,” he said, referring to the state Assembly elections, “make your voices heard.” (The candidates for the 26th Assembly district that includes Verona are incumbents Jay Webber and Betty Lou DeCroce and challengers Laura Fortgage and Christine Clarke.)
In response to a question from Councilman Ted Giblin, McManus noted that, as a result of losing its immunity, South Brunswick must now construct thousands of new housing unit. Councilman Jack McEvoy asked if there are towns that are successfully fighting an affordable housing challenge. McManus said that while there are some, most are rural towns where there is no market interest in development.
“We like Plan A,” said Councilman Michael Nochimson. “Why do we also have to have Plan B?” McManus said that in order for the plan to be approved, it is critical for it to be a realistic opportunity. “The A and B option is important in this particular circumstance,” she said, “because it gives the ability to proceed with the project even in the event of problems with the developer obtaining a PILOT. “
Mayor Ryan asked Cavallo if Spectrum is hopeful that Plan “A” can be executed and Cavallo said “very hopeful”. “Option B doesn’t help Spectrum out as much as Option A does,” Cavallo said.
