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MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP
ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF JUNE 15, 2011
Start
time 8:00AM
ROLL CALL
Ron Cain,
Jr. - present Margaret
Miller – Sanders - present
Everett Vreeland - present Deane Driscoll - present
Ron
Soussa - present Kevin
Seidel, Alt. #2 - absent
Jennifer
Horowitz - absent Arnold Schancupp – alt #1 - absent
Alexander Kachmar - present
Liaisons:
Township
Committee: Jim Sandham - present; Deb Nielson (alt)
Planning Board Liaison: Tony Speciale - present
Environmental Commission: Monica Mianecki
- absent
Township
Staff:
Meghan Hunscher, PP - present
Other
Russ
Lipari, PB Chair - absent
Scott Gallopo, Township Committeemen - present
OLD BUSINESS
Board of Adjustment -
Deane Driscoll
Deane reported that the Lake Valhalla Club continues to be
heard by the board. There are at least
fifteen variances requested. The
neighbors are complaining.
Planning Board - Tony
Speciale
Tony reports that the Open Space Committee presented their
plan to the board. Home Depot has
outdoor storage and display that has not been approved. A site plan will be submitted for 323
Changebridge.
Bayer update
Jim Sandham reports that Bayer is relocating, however,
location is undisclosed. Montville
site anticipated to be empty by end of 2012.
·
Lease or sell - Bayer prefers to sell
·
Tax appeal on empty building may occur
Ron S. drafted a letter indicating EDC’s willingness to
assist with securing new tenant. Mr.
Bastone reviewed and Ms. Hunscher will finalize.
Subcommittee Reports
New Business
A subcommittee meeting was held to discuss attracting new
businesses. Deane reported that some new
business suggested included Wegmans, Market Basket, and other franchises. Suggestions include preparing an information
packet that gives an overview of Montville,
census, demographics, tract size, etc.
Dick indicates broker in Towaco with TR Alter and Associates
may be helpful with EDC initiatives.
Business Retention
Will be meeting June 23.
NEW BUSINESS
Speaker
Maggie Peters – Morris County EDC Executive Director - Deane
gave introduction. She has worked with other Morris County
towns. She gave overview of MCEDC which is not a government agency although it
receives funding from government sources, but also from members and event
fees. Currently there are65 members, 300
businesses
·
The MCEDC has statistics, brochures
·
Montville
is candidate for “Listening to Business” initiative
Towns participated in “Listening to Business” survey include
·
Florham
Park
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Hanover
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Randolph
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Parsippany
Maggie matches businesses with state programs and resources,
which can be specific to need. Maggie attends trade show and speaks with
location consultants
The Committee asked what attracts businesses to Morris County. Factors include:
·
Workforce
·
income
·
Access
·
Transportation
Retention is current focus of MCEDC due to economic climate
·
Other states recruit. “TEAM PENNSYLVANIA” try to steal businesses out of
NJ
·
PNY 280,000 expand Parsippany, for example
o
Wanted to stay in NJ
o
State incentives provided
Suggestion from EDC includes profile in Montville Messenger
·
Insert PDF of data profile as a suggestion
EDC asked what Montville
could do better. Maggie indicated permitting
process key – reputation in brokerage community is important
Maggie indicated that the MCEDC works with the County GIS
to create maps. This includes GIS
mapping with radius of demographics and income.
Mayor Sandham asked which town does it right? Maggie indicates that it can be difficult to
determine since the quantity of industrial and business space varies by
town. For example Randolph has only 45 businesses. Roxbury is currently trying to streamline
process. Hanover has a poor reputation.
Mr. Sandham asked Maggie to speak at a town hall meeting
with brokers and businesses. She said
she would. Maggie indicated that typical complaints are about taxes and
traffic.
ACTION ITEMS:
·
Each section profiled – Towaco, Montville, Pine Brook
·
Businesses need contact point
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Electronic permitting process
·
Highlight turnaround time of permits
Items for future discussion to post on website:
- Document
success stories
- Morris
County EDC – programs and services of
business community
·
Vacancy list
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Business list
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Survey, monthly newsletter
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PDF to local realtors
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Brochure to e-mail or prospects with profile
APPLICANTS
No applicants were scheduled to appear.
MINUTES
Adoption of EDC minutes of 5-18-11
– Eligible: Ron Cain, Jr., Margaret
Miller – Sanders, Everett Vreeland, Deane Driscoll, Ron Soussa,
Alexander Kachmar, Jennifer Horowitz
Minutes were approved as presented on a motion by Mr.
Driscoll and seconded by Mr. Vreeland.
ADJOURNMENT
There be no further items to discuss, the meeting was
adjourned at 9:25 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Hunscher, PP
Principal Planner
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