Present were:

Patrick Gillespie, President	Michael Jacobs, Business Administrator	Michael Spina
Mark Proudman, Treasurer	Michael D'Agnes	Tom Downs, Attorney
Edward Testino, Councilman	Joseph Arena
Russell J. Azzarello, Director	Laheri Mehta

 

 

 

 

Absent were:

Mayor Jim Phillips	Raj Patel	Kevin Ruffler
Peter Davis, Vice-president	Larry Redmond	Nick Smolney
Robin Rosen, Secretary

 

 

 

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 Mike Spina, seconded by Laheri Mehta and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the January 2005 Treasurer's Report.

A motion was made by Mike D'Agnes, seconded by Joe Arena and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the February and March 2005 Bill List.

A motion was made by Mark Proudman, seconded by Joe Arena and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the January 12, 2005 meeting summary.

Mr. Azzarello gave his Director's Report.

Mr. Azzarello stated that he attended Academy Honda's Chinese New Year celebration. Academy Honda has received 26 JD Power awards. There is an application before the Zoning Board for the expansion of their service area. Their Old Bridge location is one of their top stores.

A new men's fitness club called Cuts for Men opened in Town Center.

Mr. Azzarello set up meetings with Coldwell Banker, who is interested in the Cottrell site, which will be a mixed use development. Coldwell Banker has some clients that have done commercial and residential development.

Stanbury Development is scheduled to go before the Zoning Board for a special meeting on March 11, 2005.

Mr. Azzarello had discussions with Russ Weber regarding the developing of two office buildings which will be approximately 10,000 - 12,000 square foot buildings on Route 34. Mr. Weber has since filed his applications with the Township. Mr. Azzarello will be attending a technical review meeting in APril to help expedite the developments.

Mr. Azzarello attended Health Net's ribbon cutting. There were many people in attendance. Their attorney Bob Bergen is looking into tax abatement.

Mr. Azzarello met with Bob Iannacone regarding the phasing of the general development plan to include a medical arts building of 50,000 sq. ft. in Phase I. This would be a ratable on hospital property.

Kara Homes has started their groundbreaking for their headquarters.

BJ's has informed Mr. Azzarello that they would have interest in the old Home Depot site instead of the Nike site. Mr. Azzarello had proposed the Home Depot site as an alternative to the Nike site at the time negotiations began with the Board of Education. They have now have some plans on how to renovate that building for their purposes. They will be coming in to meet with the engineer and planner.

The Redevelopment Agency approved the YMCA attorney for review of the agreement between the Township and the YMCA.

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

Mr. Gillespie opened the meeting to the public.

Linda Seiler was present and stated that she had no idea the meeting was moved to the Bush Canter and that it wasn't on the web site.

Ms. Seiler stated that any change in meeting has to be posted in a public place and that we were not meeting the requirements of the Open Public Meeting Act.

Mr. Downs responded that the EDC is not a public corporation and that we are a private entity appointed by Council.

Mr. Gillespie closed the public portion.

A motion was made by Mike Spina, seconded by Larry Mehta and unanimously agreed upon to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel matters and litigation.

A motion was made by Mike Spina, seconded by Joe Arena and unanimously agreed upon to come out of Executive Session/

A motion was made by Mike Spina, seconded by Joe Arena and unanimously agreed upon to direct Tom Downs, attorney, to prepare a form of contract based on the executive session for the Board to consider for the Executive Director, and to request an extension on the litigation and to prepare an estimated budget for those expenses.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.