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MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Minutes
of July 16, 2008
7:30AM
ROLL CALL
Nick Cifaretto - present Ron Cain, Jr. - present
Everett
Vreeland - present Mark
Tabakin - present
Ron Soussa – present Deane
Driscoll (Alt #1) - present
Jennifer Horowitz - absent Carol Ann Soroko (Alt #2) - present
Anthony Speciale - present
Liaisons:
Township Officials: Linda White, Land Use Administrator -
present
Planning Board Liaison:
Gary Lewis – present
OLD BUSINESS
- Coordination of Survey for Business owners
The list has been updated by personal contact calls from
Land Use staff, as well as use of the Water and Sewer bill list. The members thought that there should be a
‘contact name’ not just the name of the business. Mr. Vreeland, Ms. Soroko, Mr. Soussa and Mr.
Driscoll indicated they would remain after the meeting and fill out names of
some of the companies they knew. Mr.
Cifaretto asked if Mrs. White could look into getting an intern to reach out to
all these companies and get the name of the person any correspondence from EDC
should be directed to. Mrs. White
indicated she would discuss with Mr. Bastone and/or coordinate accordingly.
- Comments as to write up on ‘Starting a
Business in... .’
Members felt general format acceptable but document should
be simplified and corrected to relate to our community. Goals and objectives of this document
reviewed. This document would be
developed more as a way to welcome people coming into the town with a how to
list and contact person to guide them in their development/business needs. It should be developed in such a way to
welcome and ease transition into a community.
- Letter to Township Committee &
Planning Board from EDC
Mr. Cifaretto indicated that he did send a letter to the
Township Committee and Planning Board noting the EDC’s appreciation of the
rezoning efforts made to help promote economic growth in Towaco. Mr. Lewis said this letter was well received
by Planning Board and appreciated, and thought perhaps in view of the rezoning
along Rt. 46, Old Bloomfield and Changebridge zone giving some relief for
retail development and bulk requirements, perhaps another letter would be in
order. Mr. Cifaretto indicated he would
take care of this and all agreed. Discussion
continued on the development of a press release and article for the Montville
Messenger and newspapers highlighting activities in the community. Mrs. White will start first draft for EDC
membership review. This could be put on
website also, as well as the slide presentation made (which would be slightly
modified before installation). Mr. Lewis
indicated that the EDC may want to also consider letters endorsing some of the
site plans that are on file now at Planning Board for Old Bloomfield Avenue
& Changebridge.
Mr. Lewis prepared a Power Slide presentation that was sent
to Morris County highlighting the activities of
the Township boards and commissions in zoning changes
MINUTES
Adoption of EDC minutes of 5-21-08 – Eligible: Mr. Speciale, Mr. Cifaretto, Mr. Soussa, Mr.
Cain & Deane Driscoll – Adopted unanimously in a Motion made by: by Tony Specially and seconded by Deane
Driscoll
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Cifaretto thought that the EDC may want to venture into
‘marrying services’ to reduce economic burdens on a community noting the Board
of Ed’s staff and municipal staff. Mrs.
White indicated that Mr. Bastone is already working on a shared services
program and this is something he has actively pursuing. The EDC encouraged shared services.
Mr. Cifaretto regretfully informed the EDC committee that he
will be sending in his letter of resignation from the EDC to the Township
Committee indicating it was a hard decision for him since this community was
important to him, and he has worked hard these past 12 years to make a
difference. He feels he has helped
promote the business climate and development process in the community,
struggling with the decision to resign, ultimately deciding he would do so. All members noted their appreciation and
their feelings of a loss of an dynamic leader at the EDC. Mrs. White indicated that when a chair
resigns, the vice chair takes over until re-organization.
Meeting adjourned unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda White
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