{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6753786ea8461f164e67bf3a/68b8e98c093397eb055d481e?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Back to School, More Town Debt and Gas Under $3","description":"<p>In this episode of <em>The Montclair Pod</em>, Mike and Farnoosh dive into the first week of September in town, with plenty of local updates and a few personal confessions.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Highlights include:</strong></p><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>Back to School Drama</strong> – Montclair renews its $1.5M contract with food service provider Southwest Food Service Excellence. Will new “healthier” options and salad bars outweigh student complaints?</li><li><strong>Gas Below $3?</strong> – Prices hit five-year lows in Montclair, with one Valley Road station leading the way. Plus, what’s next for electric car buyers as the federal tax credit winds down?</li><li><strong>Dining Outdoors</strong> – Montclair ranks #102 on a national survey of best places for al fresco dining. Princeton and Cape May beat us out—but Farnoosh and Mike share their own dining adventures.</li><li>T<strong>own Borrowing Plans</strong> – Montclair considers a $10 million bond for roads, pools, and even a new firetruck. Why can’t these be budgeted for in advance?</li><li><strong>Fleet Feet Returns</strong> – After a devastating fire and $600K in losses, the local running store reopens thanks to insurance.</li><li><strong>Real Estate Talk</strong> – A neighbor’s home hits the market at $2.375M—$700K above its 2016 purchase price. Will buyers bite? Taxes alone top $57K a year.</li><li><strong>Weekend Plans</strong> – From a Jets game at MetLife to Bard’s performance at the South End Business District Festival, Montclair’s social calendar is full.</li></ul><p><br></p><p>All this plus: skipping to the bus stop, Uber Eats in the high school lunchroom, lobster rolls (or lack thereof), and Mike’s new fitness commitment.</p>","author_name":"Montclair Pod LLC"}