A 20-year master lease between NJ Transit and the municipality expired in 2003. However, the terms of the lease have remained in use on a month-to-month basis until both entities discuss terms of a new agreement, according to Montclair and NJ Transit officials.

The master lease stipulates that NJ Transit, which owns almost all of Montclair’s six train stations, leases them to the municipal government, which is responsible for maintenance of the stations, landscaping and security. Montclair then subleases the stations to renters.

The master lease has been altered, however, as needed.

The agreement has been revised to remove the land where the parking deck was constructed in the Bay Street Station area, according to NJ Transit spokesperson Penny Bassett Hackett. The station itself was never part of the master lease.

Bassett Hackett said the soon-to-be reconstructed Upper Montclair Train Station was also removed from the master lease so that NJ Transit could develop a ground lease for Notchwood LLC, a developer that purchased the property to rebuild the station and intends to open a restaurant.

"Obviously there have been a number of changes over the years, so we are going to take a fresh look at the document to see what needs to be updated," said Bassett Hackett, who noted a new agreement has not yet begun being drafted.

According Basset Hackett, the master plan specifies that Montclair does not pay for the leases. However, any net revenues generated from related parking fees go toward repairs to the stations and related improvements.

"It allows us not to have to use any operating or capital dollars," Bassett Hackett said.

Second Ward Township Councilman Cary Africk said the he hopes Montclair maintains involvement in its train stations.

"Montclair, being that this our town, I think we should be involved in it and make sure that it is put to the best use of the community and that we can take care of how it looks, [such as] the maintenance," Africk said.