|
MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF DECEMBER 21, 2011
8:00AM
I. ROLL CALL
Ron Cain, Jr., Chair -
present Margaret Miller – Sanders - present
Everett (“Dick”) Vreeland -
present Deane Driscoll -
present
Ron Soussa - absent Kevin Seidel, Alt. #2 - present
Jennifer Horowitz - absent Arnold Schancupp – alt #1 - absent
Alexander Kachmar - present
Liaisons:
Township Committee: Jim
Sandham - present; Deb Nielson (alt)
- present
Planning Board Liaison: Tony
Speciale - absent
Environmental Commission: Monica Mianecki - absent
Township Staff:
Meghan Hunscher, PP -
Principal Planner - present
Meeting was called to order
at 8:10 a.m. by Ron Cain, Chairman.
II. OLD BUSINESS
BoA & Planning Board applications
update by Deane Driscoll - BOA and Tony Speciale - Planning Board
PB - Tony Speciale was
absent. Jim Sandham reported that there
was no meeting in December. Reorganization will occur in January.
BOA - Deane Driscoll
indicated that the BOA continues to hear the JCP&L application for a sound
wall to block noise from the transformers and a use variance for a day care
center on Park Ave
at Route 202 in Towaco.
Other updates
Jim Sandham handed out
minutes from the “Meet and Greet” held on December 1, 2011 with local businesses. He indicated that the function went very well
and the Township is making improvements to be more “customer friendly”
Mr. Driscoll would like the
EDC to make a firm commitment to “do something” in 2012 and move forward. Mr. Sandham suggested an open house for
brokers to view commercial properties.
Ms. Hunscher asked Ms. Miller if there ways that the Chamber of Commerce
could complement the work of the EDC.
Maggie indicated that there is a graphic artist who is a member of the
Chamber and may be willing to provide inexpensive assistance to create a
marketing brochure for the Township.
Deane indicated that he will
reach out to Vinny Costello, VP of Finance at Bayer, to see what movement if
any there has been to market the property.
Subcommittee Reports
1. New Business
Update regarding prospective businesses including
grocer
Ms. Hunscher indicates that
she will be following up with Mr. Larry Anderson, broker for proposed
grocer. They are currently looking to
purchase property between Changebridge and Route 202. She will have more information at the next
meeting.
Overview of waiver list
Ms. Hunscher indicated that
there have been over 50 waivers this year, most approved and a handful
requiring full site plans. Despite the
economy, Montville
is still a desirable place to be located.
2. Business Retention
There was no discussion.
II. NEW
BUSINESS
Overview of presentation by MCEDC speaker Mark
Waterhouse regarding economic trends in New
Jersey and importance of strategic plan
This was tabled and postponed
to a later date. Mr. Driscoll will reach
out the MCEDC to get a copy of the PowerPoint presentation.
Discussion regarding preparation of Montville EDC’s “Strategic Plan”
This was tabled and postponed
to a later date.
Review of 2012 proposed dates and budget
Mr. Driscoll suggested a
start time of 8:15 a.m. instead of 8:00 a.m. to accommodate the “working
moms.” The committee unanimously agreed
to this time change for 2012.
Jim Sandham showed the
committee a brochure from a town in North
Carolina that is used for business recruitment and as
a welcome packet. Maggie Miller
indicated that Boonton has a brochure for their Main Street. (Both brochures were passed
around) The committee decided that creating a similar packet for Montville was a good idea
and unanimously agreed to recommend an increase in the budget from $600 to
$3600 to cover expenses for the publication.
Discussion regarding “Community Insights” proposal
Ms. Hunscher asked the
Committee to decide whether or not to recommend to the Township Committee to
pursue proposals from Community Insights consulting firm for attraction of new
businesses. Ms. Miller indicated that
she recommends that the EDC first identify consultants located in town that may
be able to perform the same services, but perhaps at lesser cost. The members unanimously agreed to this
approach.
APPLICANTS
Ms. Hunscher indicated that
the Montville Diner and Bedroom
Place were invited, but they did not confirm and
were not in attendance.
OTHER DISCUSSION
Ron Cain asked Ms. Nielson
about the ombudsman position that the EDC recommended. Ms. Nielson indicated that the Township
Committee considered the recommendation, but felt that there are still
unanswered questions that need to be explored.
For example whether the position should be held by a volunteer, or be a part-time
or full-time position. The TC felt that
the position should be held by someone with a substantial level of expertise. There
were suggestions that perhaps additional greeters or a rack with forms in the
vestibule would also meet this need. The
item is still open for discussion. Ms.
Nielson indicated that the TC is also awaiting the recommendations of the Land
Use Advisory Committee, which are expected by January 2012 prior to making any
decisions on the matter.
MINUTES
Adoption of EDC minutes of
11-16-11 – Eligible: Ron Cain Jr.; Dick Vreeland; Margaret
Miller-Sanders; Deane Driscoll;
Jennifer Horowitz; Ron Soussa; Arnold Schancupp
On a motion made by Mr.
Driscoll, and seconded by Mr. Vreeland, the minutes were adopted as
presented.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further
business to discuss, the meeting was unanimously adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
_____________________________
Meghan Hunscher, Principal
Planner
Adopted at January 18, 2012
regular meeting
|
