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MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
MINUTES OF MARCH 21,
2007
8:00AM
ROLL CALL
Nick Cifaretto -
present Ron Cain, Jr. - absent
Everett Vreeland -
present Mark Tabakin - absent
Leonard Murphy – present Ron Soussa – absent
Jennifer
Horowitz (Alt #1) - present Carol Ann Soroko (Alt #2) - present
Anthony Speciale - present
Liaisons:
Township Committee: Deborah Nielson
- present
The EDC
members discussed the Highland Legislation.
Mr. Cifaretto indicated he attended the Highlands seminar.
Question is: what is the Township's position. Mr. Cifaretto
indicated that we were going to look at revising the Highland's maps and
submit to them the changes we think they should make. Concerns raised on
lack of data from the Highlands as to 'how' they developed the mapping.
Mr. Cifaretto noted if we opt in, we take away Home Rule, and is that what the
Township wants to do? The EDC feels Montville should 'opt out', and that
we have always been ahead of the curve. The EDC did not feel that the Highlands
could take care of Montville like we take care of ourselves, a strong argument
to 'opt out'. The purpose of the Highland's map was discussed, noting
that the main focus of the map is to preserve drinking water and preserve the
natural environment of the township. If we 'opt in’, we will have
Highland's controlling our zoning forever. The EDC felt we should meet
with neighboring towns on the Highlands and have an educational meeting, most
importantly we need direction from the Township Committee. Concerns
voiced on sewer permits and possibly delay of approval of them if we do decide
to 'opt out' of the Highlands.
Mr.
Cifaretto noted that 3/27/07 the Township Committee is releasing a Traffic
Study conducted along Rt. 202/Changebridge up to Towaco area and urged the EDC
members to attend this informational meeting.
Mr.
Cifaretto noted that the Planning Board would be hearing the O'Dowd rezoning on
April 12th relative to the Quick Chek/gas station/retail use
rezoning request.
Mr.
Cifaretto noted receipt of the DRC minutes, referencing All Brite minutes in
particular. He feels we need to make
Montville more beautiful, but doesn't feel there are any teeth in the DRC
review ordinance; that the sign regulations and parking regulations are a
joke. They should be addressed.
Minutes
from prior meeting approved and adopted unanimously.
EDC
indicated that they must make a list of priorities and get some progress on
these matters, referring to Stiles Lane, Towaco Center and Pine Brook
Area. Mr. Cifaretto indicated he would meet with some developers in this
area mentioning Marv Hirschberg, Larry Gage and Bob Gannon. He feels the
EDC must be more proactive.
Mr.
Cifaretto asked that Mrs. White update the EDC on state of Kevor Konner
site.
Mr. Cifaretto
voiced concerns that people out there find Montville 'hard' to deal with, and
our project should be to let them know that we are 'open' for business and that
we are here to 'work with' and that we are proactive to development and we are
accommodating and welcome them to Montville and that we want this to be a
positive approach for potential applicants. We need to help those trying
to sell their lands, like Sunoco. We should contact Sunoco and tell them
we want to keep them and have a dialogue going. We should let them know
that there is a 'new' government in Montville. Some people are not all on
the same page and some still have 'old ideas'.
Ideas
discussed. Consider creation of 'development committee' that tells us
'what we want' and 'what we don't want'. Tell developer's what we
want? Do we want a 'big box' on Kevor Konner property? We need to
be more proactive. When calls come into Linda White, they should be
referred to Nick Cifaretto. She should also be required to give a list of
callers to the EDC, along with all emails and a log of calls received weekly.
Concerns
raised on Mr. Bastone's attendance? Will he attend an EDC meeting?
Noted for discussion: the Iskon site adjacent to the
town property Camp Dawson on Jacksonville Road is on the market for 2.3
M. It would be a good place for an Adult Day care and/or Bed &
Breakfast site.
Ms.
Soroko indicated she has contact with a large shopping center developer
(Lifestyle Center) Stanbury Development and she will contact them to have them
discuss possibilities with Nick Cifaretto.
In
summary, the EDC asked if the township ever heard about the $200,000 grant
request made to Highlands? We should be
apprised of any updates on this matter.
Meeting
Adjourned.
Taken
from notes by Dick Vreeland
By:
Linda White
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