we have and finding new uses that are appropriate to the location and zoning district.” He says the borough is currently witnessing a trend where smaller singlefamily homes are being bought and expanded, and houses that do go on the market don’t last long. These redevelopment efforts extend to Montvale’s downtown area, where mixed-use developments are planned to meet the needs of the growing community. “It’s all about repurposing what we have,”Voytus says, emphasizing that the proximity to mass transit makes the downtown area particularly attractive. INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY Montvale has been actively working to enhance its critical infrastructure, with a focus on ensuring reliable water and gas services for its residents. “We’re trying to take stock of where we are after the latest housing boom, and trying to make sure that everything in town is planned well for who we have here right now,” describes Voytus. With this in mind, Montvale is working with utility providers Veolia, PSE&G, Orange and Rockland to ensure safe and reliable services for residents.Veolia has been upgrading water lines, and the borough has facilitated the installation of new water tanks to provide the necessary pressure for fire safety, particularly in buildings equipped with sprinkler systems. PSE&G has also been improving gas line capacity in the community. Beyond these essential services, Montvale is prioritizing greenspace, catering to the needs of young families, and the active youth population. “We’re looking to improve the fields all the time, create new gathering spaces, park spaces, and fix up what we have,”Voytus describes.“We don’t have new open space, so we’re trying to improve the fields so that they’re playable even if it rains, just to provide 5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 09 MONTVALE, NJ
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