In the September 4 episode of The Montclair Pod, hosts Mike Schreiber and Farnoosh Torabi cover a wide spread of Montclair happenings: kids back in school, lunchroom controversies, bargain gas, big borrowing plans, and even a neighbor’s multimillion-dollar home hitting the market.
School Lunches Under Scrutiny
Montclair Public Schools renewed its $1.5 million contract with food service provider Southwest Food Service Excellence. Parents and students have voiced complaints about past quality issues and dietary restrictions, though the district says improvements are coming.
This year, menus will include salad, vegetable, and fruit bars. But french fries are also on the list, raising eyebrows about the balance of “healthy” options.
Elementary lunches cost $4.25, with prices rising slightly in middle and high school. At MHS, Uber Eats is becoming the lunchtime choice for many teens.
Gas Dips Below $3
Drivers got some rare good news: local gas prices fell to a five-year low, dropping below $3 per gallon. The Delta station on Valley Road and Bloomfield Avenue posted the lowest rate at $2.89, according to Gas Buddy.
Meanwhile, the clock is ticking for electric car buyers. The $7,500 federal tax credit is set to expire at the end of September, a change that could reshape both purchase and lease prices. Leasing may still prove the safer bet as technology advances and imported parts grow costlier.
Montclair’s Outdoor Dining Rank
A national survey of 3,000 people ranked Montclair #102 among the country’s best neighborhoods for outdoor dining. Princeton and Cape May placed higher, with Cape May’s historic district making the top 15.
While not exactly top billing, Montclair’s diverse food scene still earned recognition. Locals may shrug at the number, but they know the town’s patios stay busy.
Town Weighs $10 Million Bond
Montclair officials are considering borrowing more than $10 million for capital improvements. The proposal includes road repaving, pool repairs, municipal building updates, playground renovations, and the purchase of new garbage trucks, a firetruck, and a salt storage shed.
The town already carries over $100 million in debt, leading some residents to question why these recurring expenses aren’t covered in the annual budget.
Fleet Feet Returns After Fire
Fleet Feet reopened its Bloomfield Avenue storefront just weeks after a devastating fire forced the business to scrap $600,000 worth of inventory. Insurance is expected to cover most of the loss.
The running shop’s quick rebound underscores the importance of business coverage—and offers sneakerheads a place to gear up again.
Real Estate Watch
One Montclair home is back on the market, listed at $2.375 million. Purchased in 2016 for $1.65 million, the property has appreciated nearly $750,000. Annual taxes run about $57,000.
Whether the sellers will land close to asking price is anyone’s guess, but the listing comes just as residents are still buzzing about the Kool & the Gang house priced at $7.5 million.
In case you missed it…
- The Montclair Pod News: School Lunch Drama, The Cheapest Gas Station, and a $10 Million Bond for Town Improvements
- The Montclair Pod News: High School Ranking Drops, $7.5M Property Hits Market, and Daikichi Return-Rumors
- The Montclair Pod News: Lead Pipes, Stolen Mail, and a Century-Old Substation
- The Montclair Pod News: The NJ Governor’s Race, Shuttle Bus Survey and Debate, Dining Updates, and More from August 14, 2025
- Things to Do, See and Experience in August: MedievalFest, End of Summer Escapes, and an $11 Million School Surprise