Present were:

Mayor Jim Phillips	Robin Rosen, Secretary	Michael Jacobs
Patrick Gillespie, President	Russell J. Azzarello, Director	Larry Redmond
Peter Davis, Vice-president	Joseph Arena	Michael Spina
Mark Proudman, Treasurer	Michael D'Agnes

 

 

 

 

Absent were:

Edward Testino, Councilman	Raj Patel	Nick Smolney
Laheri Mehta	Kevin Ruffler	John Vincenti

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:40 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.

A motion was made by Peter Davis, seconded by Mike Spina and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the July 2004 Treasurer's Report.

A motion was made by Peter Davis, seconded by Mike Spina and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the August/September 2004 Bill List, with the correction of Check #210 for Worker's Compensation Insurance and not D&O Insurance.

A motion was made by Larry Redmond, seconded by Mark Proudman, with Mayor Phillips and Joe Arena abstaining, for the approval of the July 14, 2004 Meeting Summary.

Russell Azzarello gave his Executive Director's Report.

Mr. Azzarello informed the Board that Healthnet, a health insurance company, will be locating at Exit 120 (Globespan building) with approximately 230 employees. Mr. Azzarello met with their facilities manager, Rob McDermott. They were originally located in Neptune and then relocated to Connecticut. When the company was negotiating on where to relocate they looked at Metro Park and the Meadowlands as a means of combining New York and New Jersey, Somerset and Woodbridge.

The reason they chose Exit 120 was to put them on the side of the bridge that does not get the congestion. Drawing their workforce from the south will not impact the bridge and the workforce from the north is going against traffic.

Mr. Azzarello asked Healthnet to put that documentation together and possibly forward it to us for possible use as marketing material.

There is a new Friendly's in town located at Ferry Road and Route 9. Mr. Azzarello assisted in the fast tracking of their permits.

Double D is looking for a sizeable expansion. Mr. Azzarello feels that if we could encourage growth within our current industries, it also speaks well for the incoming industries.

Car-Tec is an organization that has locations in Avenel and Rahway. They represent insurance companies in total loss disposition of salvage. They are a clean operation. They will have approximately 25 employees and will be locating on the Nappi site.

Mark Farina has purchased 10 acres of property near the hospital. Discussion has been held to utilize the property as an ancillary support to the hospital and connecting it the medical field.

The Lifestyle Center at the intersection of Route 9 and Texas Road is closer to obtaining DEP approvals. It will be called the Shoppes at Old Bridge. They have six solid tenants. The Gap, Gap Kids, Coach, and Anne Klein have been secured. Nine more are in lease negotiations. Stanbury Associates is the developer of this 100,000 sq. foot facility.

The BJ's Club is determined to locate in Old Bridge but they have not had much luck in negotiations with the Board of Education. With proper signange they might be willing to located in the rear of the Board of Education property. The alternate site is the former Home Depot on Route 9.

A motion was made by Mike D'Agnes, seconded by Joe Arena and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the Executive Director's Report.

Mayor Phillips took a moment to thank the Board for a job well done and the excellent plan that has been presented. He also thanked Mark Proudman for his contributions.

Chuck Fallon, auditor, Fallon & Fallon, was present to give the 2003 Audit Report. It is an unqualified opinion which is the best opinion you can get. He did not find any material weaknesses in our internal controls.

A motion was made by Mike D'Agnes, seconded by Peter Davis and unanimously agreed upon for the acceptance of the 2003 audit as presented by Mr. Chuck Fallon.

Mr. Gillespie recapped what happened at the Council meeting of August 16, 2004. As a result of the meeting, questions were compiled and answered for the benefit of the public. This information is posted on the Old Bridge web site and also at the Library, along with the Plan, the Community Impact Statement prepared by John Vincenti, which included a financial analysis and a traffic impact statement, and also a more detailed financial impact statement prepared by Himanshu Shah.

The Council is prepared to consider the Plan again for second reading on September 13, 2004. There will be extensive discussion and Mr. Gillespie invited the Board to attend.

Mr. Azzarello stated that quite a bit of time was spent on answering questions asked by the public (approximately 43) at the August 16, 2004 Council meeting, and although some of the questions were statements, responses were given. Councilwoman Panos asked that her questions be included in the public list of questions.

Councilman Greene hosted a television program which included Councilman Calogera as his guest to present their position on the Crossroads Redevelopment Plan.

Mr. Gillespie opened the meeting to the public.

Linda Seiler was present and stated that she thinks it was excellent the way the information was made available to the public.

Ms. Seiler still is not clear on the number of housing that is included in the plan. She has had many conversations with different people and the concerns are that once the plan is developed there is no power.

Mr. Redmond explained that everything has to come before the Planning Board. Phasing issues will be determined by the Redeveloper's Agreement and the Planning Board.

Ms. Seiler stated that despite the fact that the property does not have visibility, she feels that an upscale outlet mall would be a better choice.

Mr. Redmond stated that at the first meeting of the Planning Board in October an application will be heard for 1,100 homes. The GDP states that there is a commercial component required, but no plans have yet to be presented. No residents have come out to speak against this plan.

Mr. Spina stated that the EDC should talk about how we can raise money and how to market Old Bridge. One possibility may be a video or DVD.

Mr. Azzarello stated that the biggest thing we have going for us is our ability to continue to network our position.

Mr. Gillespie feels using the web site and incorporating GIS data would be a very helpful tool.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.