Economic Development Corporation
Meeting Summary January 23, 2002
Present were:
| Mayor Barbara Cannon |
Edward Testino |
Susan Gieser |
| Kevin Calogera, President |
David Merwin |
Roman Sohor |
| Patrick Gillespie, VP |
John Vincenti |
Peter Davis |
| Robin Rosen, Secretary |
Charles Applebaum |
Rocky Donatelli |
| Larry Redmond |
Michael D'Agnes |
Kiran Desai |
Absent were:
| Mark Proudman, Treasurer |
Alayne Shepler |
The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.
Salute to the flag was followed by roll call.
Statement was made that the meeting was held in accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meeting Act.
The floor was opened for nominations for the position of President.
Mayor Cannon nominated Kevin Calogera and Rocky Donatelli nominated Patrick Gillespie. Kevin Calogera declined the nomination because of his new position on the council. Mayor Cannon inquired if Patrick Gillespie would have the time to devote to the position. Patrick Gillespie stated he would make himself available as often as needed.
A motion was made by Rocky Donatelli, seconded by Edward Testino and unanimously agreed upon to appoint Patrick Gillespie to the position of President.
Kiran Desai was introduced to the board as a new member of the Economic Development Corporation.
Roman Sohor was also introduced as the new chairman of the planning board who will also be on the EDC Board.
Mr. Testino suggested a "thinking of you" note to be sent to Mr. & Mrs. George Koehler.
The floor was opened to nominations for the position of Vice-president.
Mayor Cannon made a motion to nominate Roman Sohor, seconded by Michael D'Agnes for the position of Vice-president.
Edward Testino made a motion to nominate Peter Davis, seconded by David Merwin for the position of Vice-president.
The nominees briefly stated why they would want the position.
Edward Testino made a motion to table Roman Sohor's nomination to the position of Vice-president, seconded by David Merwin. The motion to table failed by a vote of 8 no and 6 yes. The roll was called on the motion nominating Roman Sohor for the position of Vice-president. The motion did not carry.
The roll was called on the motion nominating Peter Davis for the position of Vice-president and unanimously agreed upon.
The floor was opened to nominations for the position of treasurer.
Patrick Gillespie made a motion to nominate Mark Proudman, seconded by Larry Redmond and unanimously agreed upon for the of treasurer.
The floor was opened to nominations for the position of secretary.
Dave Merwin made a motion to nominate Robin Rosen, seconded by Kevin Calogera and unanimously agreed upon for the position of secretary.
A motion was made by Patrick Gillespie, seconded by Dvid Merwin to appoint Thomas Downs to the position of board attorney with two nays, one abstention and 11 ayes. The motion carried.
A motion was made by Kevin Calogera, seconded by Larry Redmond, with three abstentions for the approval of the December 19, 2001 meeting summary and executive session summary. The motion carried.
Sam Rizzo, township planner, was present to discuss and answer questions on the Master Plan. The Land Use Ordinance amendment is in the process of being drafted. A sub-committee of the planning board will be reviewing the draft.
The proposed land use map and circulation map with the key will be printed and distributed to the members of the EDC board.
Charles Applebaum suggested that the opinion rendered by Thomas Norman on Stewart v. Manalapan Township be sent to Tom Downs for his interpretation.
The mercantile license draft ordinance was postponed until the March meeting.
Edward Testino informed the board that the Township Council subcommittee met with regard to the 500 acres owned by the township. Mr. Testino stated that he would like to see the Council send to the EDC board the job assignment of developing a plan. EDC monies would be spent to develop the plan for presentation to the council.
This undertaking would give the EDC a mission to push economic development in town. The EDC will let council know that the corporation is willing to undertake the assignment.
A motion was made by Larry Redmond, seconded by Peter Davis and unanimously agreed upon to have the EDC draft a letter asking the council to appoint the board to be the developer of the plan for the redevelopment property known as the O&Y site.
Mr. Testino stated he would like this group to consider whether or not there should be any other zones in town for economic development. There are quite a few areas where tax incentives could be implemented. Recommendations should be made to the council from the board.
Mr. Azzarello stated that tax abatement serves as an incentive to all industries. It is the combined efforts of streamlining, fast tracking and incentives that attract businesses.
A motion was made by Kevin Calogera, seconded by Michael D'Agnes with one nay to enter into executive session to discuss personnel matters. The motion carried.
Let the record reflect that the door is now open and the board discussed personnel items in executive session, but took no action.
A motion was made by Patrick Gillespie, seconded by Rocky Donatelli with two nays that would set terms and conditions to hire Russ Azzarello as the Executive Director of the Old Bridge Economic Development Corporation. Although we do not have a final form of contract, the basis for the contract is the existing contract that was entered into by the board and by Vincent Aurilio, former executive director. The key changes are under the subject heading #4 Base Salary - for year 1 - $75,000, year 2 - $80,000, year 3 - $85,000. There will be no additional compensation in terms of performance bonuses or bonuses otherwise. There would be on an annual basis 10 days of vacation time and 11 days sick time. Those days do not accrue from year-to-year, nor would those days be reimbursed if unused. The holiday schedule will reflect the township's. The only other change in the contract is there are certain references about executive employment and exclusive compensation. We would ask that our attorney draft a new section of the contract that would reflect Mr. Dazzler's continuing minimal relationship with RJA Associates and permit him to receive residual payments and permit him to do diminutive work to maintain those residual payments. The motion carried.
The treasurer's report for December 2001 and bill list for January 2002 were deferred for the next meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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