Present were:

Mark Proudman, Treasurer	Michael D'Agnes	Michael Spina
Russell J. Azzarello, Director	Raj Patel
Joseph Arena	Nick Smolney

 

 

 

Absent were:

Mayor Jim Phillips	Robin Rosen, Secretary	Larry Redmond
Patrick Gillespie, President	Edward Testino, Councilman	Kevin Ruffler
Peter Davis, Vice-president	Michael Jacobs, Business Administrator
Ellen Ritchie	Laheri Mehta

 

 

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 6:30 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.

Mark Proudman gave his Treasurer's Report for September 2005 and October 2005, and Bill List for September 2005.

A motion was made by Nick Smolney, seconded by Mike Spina and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the September and October 2005 Treasurer's Report.

A motion was made by Nick Smolney, seconded by Mike Spina and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the September 2005 Bill List.

A motion was made by Michael D'Agnes, seconded by Joseph Arena and unanimously agreed upon for the approval of the September 14, 2005 Meeting Summary Report.

Russell Azzarello gave his Executive Director's Report.

As you already know, and as published in the newspapers, there is an interest on behalf of the New York Jets professional football team to possibly relocate to Old Bridge. The Jets are looking for a new location for both their headquarters and training facility. We have had a meeting with them and we put together a lot of materials to utilize and show certain parts of the 500 acres that we refer to as the Crossroads site, in town. I am happy to say that we presented them with an overhead aerial view of the site, we showed them around the Township and how their site would fit in. They were very impressed with what they saw. As I am sure you are aware , one of the key elements which Mike D'Agnes and I have discussed is the proximity to a hospital facility. Obviously, with their major practice issues, injuries are very common and they want to be able to have access to a medical site near by. When we discussed the proximity of the hospital and the anticipated growth of the hospital, they showed real interest. In the words of JIm Glannon, of all the sites he looked at, the preparedness and the presentation by the Township of Old Bridge was the best he received. To that extent, we were extremely happy and we at least put our best foot forward.

Obviously, decisions like this are made on business cases and certainly locations. Old Bridge can still be very proud that we were a site to be considered and we are still in the running. We have even gone forward with some future plans and materials. We have materials such as a Township map and handout. We proceeded to get information in regard to salaries and housing costs within a five mile and ten mile radius. The Jets organization has approximately 230 people with various needs - some in the high executive side, some in support staff. Housing around our area will be important. We took the Redevelopment Plan and made some adjustments to the site and put together what looked like a little site plan. We even superimposed some practice facilities, showed flex area and access through. We again took the site and blew it up to show what might be called "Jets Village". Lastly, we had another map blown up of the entire site. This was a presentation that was well received and we are now ready for what we can call a "Phase II" if they are willing to come back and talk to us. We have had a follow up conversation with them and they have not made a decision yet. They will keep in touch.

Joseph Arena asked what kind of time frame we are looking at? Mr. Azzarello advised that we have heard that they want to make this decision possibly by the spring. They want to get prepared for next season. One of the good things that Old Bridge has is the John A. Phillips preserve, with some nice fields already in play. New fields are currently in the growth stage. So, if we had to, we could literally put someone on the football field almost immediately. We would be able to utilize the public facilities and possibly incorporate them into this plan. We have some real opportunities to do that.

We have ongoing activity on the B.J.'s Club. We had a meeting this morning with the attorneys that represent the owners of the property of B.J.'s Club because of the need for a traffic light on Downing Street. That activity is hopefully in place for us to get that property cleared and used for the traffic light. That would eliminate the need for B.J.'s to have the same problem.

Joseph Arena asked Mr. Azzarello if they could cut a curb on the front of the property off of Route 9? Mr. Azzarello said no, Downing Street road is the entrance. The other property is all privately owned.

Stanbery Associates is in their final stages They had asked for permission to start clearing off the land. They are willing to take this on at their own expense. However, we needed to get DEP approvals because of the widening of Texas Road, which is a County road. The County is serving as the applicant for expediting purposes. We sent a letter from both the Mayor's office and the Chief of Police's office about the value of traffic improvements to that location. Hopefully that will assist in getting the approval. Stanbery was looking to get some buildings up for the spring, 2006.

A motion was made by Mike Spina and seconded by Mark Proudman and unanimously agreed upon to approve Mr. Azzarello's report.

There was no new business to discuss.

Public portion is now opened.

Linda Seiler had a few questions for Mr. Azzarello. With regard to the B.J.'s Club, in your statement "get the property declared" are you speaking of eminent domain?

Mr. Azzarello responded no. He explained to Ms. Seiler that at the site of the old Home Deport, there was a commitment made to put in a traffic light on the corner of Downing Street and Meleta Way. One of the things that needed to be done, as agreed to by the developers at the time, was to improve the right hand turn on to Meleta Way (behind TGI Fridays). The corner piece of property had to be taken out, which would eliminate a driveway. What had to be "declared" is the DOT closing that driveway. There is another driveway approximately 50 feet further down the street. There is no eminent domain because the property actually becomes the development property.

Ms. Seiler also asked the question, "who currently owns the Stanbery property?" Mr. Azzarello answered that the property is owned by Fishman. I believe they are developers in the area. Stanbery is negotiating with them for the purchase of the property.

Mr. Seiler also asked if there will ever be an entrance ramp going from Rt. 9 north to Rt. 18 south? Mr. Azzarello did not see that as part of those plans. As the design is put forward, there is some considerable wetlands.

Ms. Seiler inquired about the parcel of land that is part of the Crossroads, south of Texas Road. Is that part of the Jets development or is it totally separate? Mr. Azzarello advised Ms. Seiler that Old Bridge showed the Jets the entire parcel. The realtor on behalf of the Jets acknowledged the value of coming off of Route 18 and the closeness of Rt. 18 to their site versus going down to Route 9. We are thinking that the gateway to the property would be better served closer to Legends, where our property borders the Legends.

Mr. Azzarello asked for the members to go into Executive Session. Mr. Azzarello thanked the public for attending.

At 7:00 p.m. the meeting resumed to public session.

Mr. Azzarello discussed the great achievements of Raritan Bay Medical Center. Raritan Bay Hospital in Perth Amboy has now been granted permission to do elective angioplasty. That is a milestone for the hospital.

Mr. Azzarello went through the meeting dates for the 2006 calendar for the Economic Development Corporation. All meetings are scheduled for the second wednesday of the month. They will be published accordingly. The dates are as follows:

January 11, 2006	July 12, 2006
February 8, 2006	August 9, 2006
March 8, 2006	September 13, 2006
April 19, 2006*	October 11, 2006
May 10, 2006	November 8, 2006
June 14, 2006	December 13, 206

*Due to the Passover holiday, the meeting is moved to the following Wednesday night.

A motion was made by Mark Proudman and seconded by Joseph Arena and unanimously agreed upon to adjourn the meeting.