Bloomfield residents voice concern over future of Watsessing neighborhood at town hall at 23 Skiddoo Cafe
The meeting brought together residents, café owner Hodge Halili and the owners of the adjacent property, who said they wanted to address community concerns and clarify their plans.
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Neighbors and community advocates gathered Sunday at the now-closed 23 Skidoo Café in Bloomfield for a town hall focused on the future of the Watsessing neighborhood, including concerns over a proposed development next door.
The meeting brought together residents, café owner Hodge Halili and the owners of the adjacent property, who said they wanted to address community concerns and clarify their plans.
Halili said he was overwhelmed by the support shown by residents, adding that the café had been his way of giving back to the community.
“This was a property that was neglected and abandoned for 20 years. This was my gift back to the community, to create community,” Halili said.
RELATED: Bloomfield residents speak out after sudden closure of 23 Skiddoo Cafe
The café owner said his decision to close was not spontaneous, but came after years of issues with the township. He said the recent subdivision approval at the neighboring property was the final straw.
Halili also said he was concerned about the future of the neighborhood and the potential impact of construction on the area.
“I just didn’t know how to wake up the next day and conduct business after that,” he said, describing his experience at a recent planning board meeting.
The owners of the adjacent property, Henry and his wife Pina Pagliuca, attended the town hall to address what he described as misinformation surrounding their plans.
Pagliuca said the property is currently zoned for single-family residential use and that the proposal calls for two single-family homes. However, he emphasized that the plans are subject to additional steps and approvals.
He also questioned Halili’s decision to close the café before construction plans are finalized.
“It takes six months to sometimes a year or longer to get approvals and permits,” Pagliuca said, adding that the project is not guaranteed to move forward as planned.
Meanwhile, residents have started a petition calling for the area to be rezoned for commercial use only, saying they want to protect neighborhood businesses and gathering spaces from future residential development.
Halili said he has no immediate plans to reopen or relocate the café, adding that he is taking things one day at a time while considering his next steps.
Residents said they hope the town hall will move the conversation forward and ensure their concerns are considered as decisions about the neighborhood’s future are made.
