Present were:

Mayor Jim Phillips	Russell J. Azzarello, Director	Raj Patel
Patrick Gillespie, President	Michael Jacobs, Business Administrator	Larry Redmond
Mark Proudman, Treasurer	Joseph Arena	Michael Spina
Robin Rosen, Secretary	Michael D'Agnes	Thomas Downs, Attorney
Edward Testino, Councilman	Laheri Mehta

 

 

 

 

Absent were:

Peter Davis, Vice-president

Nick Smolney

Kevin Ruffler

 

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.

A motion was made by Mike Spina, seconded by Mike D'Agnes and unanimously agreed upon to go into Executive Session.

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

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

A motion was made by Larry Redmond, seconded by Mark Proudman, with Robin Rosen, Edward Testino and Larry Redmond abstaining, for the approval of the March 2, 2005 meeting summary with the correction that Tom Downs be listed in the attendees.

Mr. Azzarello Gave his Director's Report.

Mr. Azzarello attended the Planning Board meeting to help secure the approval for BJ's to occupy the old Home Depot.

Mr. Azzarello believes that BJ's would like to build their own facility, but this is a great alternative and is a great location. This will give us a sizable ratable.

Academy Honda received their approval for additional parking.

Mr. Azzarello has been speaking with Chris Contanga, who represents Holiday Inn Suites. They are interested in property on Route 34 across from the Marketplace. Mr. Azzarello is also trying to interest them in other areas.

Mr. Azzarello has been meeting with staff from Raritan Bay Medical Center to amend their current approval of the Zoning Board for the hospital phasing because they want to put their medical arts building in as part of their first phase. This is a 70,000 sq. ft. office building.

There is a feasibility study currently underway with doctors in the area to determine interest from the medical community.

Mr. Azzarello met with Walgreens. They are interested in the property on Texas Road and Route 9.

Mr. Azzarello thanked the hospital for donating space to use for the Middlesex County health screenings that were done in the Old Bridge Health Department building.

The Township is making plans to relocate departments and there is the possibility that the construction office will occupy the health building.

A motion was made by Mike Spina, seconded by Larry Redmond and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the Executive Director's Report.

A motion was made by Larry Redmond, seconded by Robin Rosen and unanimously agreed upon to authorize Tom Downs to begin preparing the litigation for the EDC in the amount not to exceed $10,000, and to interact with Jerry Convery, township attorney, about forming a unified defense.

Mr. Gillespie stated he received notification from the Township Clerk as to whether the EDC would be interested in having our meetings televised. The board members were in agreement that they would think about it.

Mr. Gillespie opened the meeting up to the public.

Linda Seiler stated she wants the meetings televised so that the public is aware.

Ms. Seiler stated she feels the minutes of the meeting are scanty and if you miss a meeting it is very hard to tell what really happened.

Ms. Seiler stated she knows for a fact that the public is interested in seeing this. She is really surprised and disappointed that the EDC was even asked to comment on the request to televise the meetings.

Mr. Gillespie clarified for the record that the EDC is not bound by the Open Public Meetings Act. We do it as a matter of practice.

Mr. Gillespie further stated that whether or not you televise a meeting doesn't denote that you are hiding anything from the public. There is no requirement in the law to televise.

Mr. Gillespie closed the public portion.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.