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MONTVILLE
TOWNSHIP ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT
Minutes of May 20, 2009
8:00AM
ROLL CALL
Ron Cain, Jr. - present
Everett
Vreeland - present
Ron Soussa - present
Jennifer Horowitz - absent
Margaret Miller – Sanders - present
Mark Tabakin - present
Deane Driscoll - present
Alexander Kachmar – Alt. #1 -
present
Greg Milazzo – Alt #2 - present
Liaisons:
Township Officials: Linda
White, Land Use Administrator - present
Planning Board Liaison:
Gary Lewis & Tony Speciale - present
OLD BUSINESS
Update: Pending Board of Adjustment & Planning Board
applications Mrs. White updated the membership on pending applications at Board
of Adjustment noting Lowe’s is on again for June agenda, as well as several
cell tower applications. The Board of Adjustment approved a use approval to
allow demolition of existing law offices on Rt. 202 for Eli's Bagels, the Pine
Brook motel retail redevelopment is
still alive, and rescheduled to end of July agenda, and the new deli/bagel site
is almost completed on what was once Kay's market.
Update: Master Plan
update – Mr. Lewis indicating that the Planning Board Master Plan subcommittee
continues to meet monthly on this important task, noting that he would like the
agenda to keep this item on regularly so that the EDC subcommittee consisting
of Jennifer Horowitz, as chair, with Greg Milazzo and Deane Driscoll could
bring some thoughts and ideas on areas that should be addressed at this level
so when future meetings coordinated, there is substance to discussions.
To date the areas discussed were: Emery
Road, Kokora, run down homes on Changebridge Road. As more areas discussed, the minutes and
agenda will have this running list.
Mr. Lewis noted that the master plan subcommittee meetings
are workshop meetings, and citizens are welcomed. Although they are not legally open to public
discussion, generally these types of meetings are very informal. These meetings and this committee will set
the framework for discussions at the Planning
Board level with full hearings at that time.
NEW BUSINESS
Letter to Mayor from Morris County EDC:
Members discussed the letter requested that the township joining
with the Morris County EDC in
conducting a Listening to Business Initiative
program to gain a better understanding of the local economy, local companies
and future opportunities. Questions
evolved as to what is the benefit of this program to this community and what
goals would be achieved by our participation?
The letter noting that the information collected would be compiled in an
aggregate form, analyzed and developed into a report identifying specific
strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement in the township. At the conclusion of the programs, breakfast
would be held for all participated to hear mayor address findings in report. No cost in involved in township. Many questioned what is the ultimate benefit to our community since we had did
a similar program last year and little results
obtained, most that did were satisfied noting they would like more retail on main
corridors. Discussion ensued. Since the request was made to the Township Mayor,
this information should be given to Ms. Nielson. Other issue that cannot be addressed by this survey is the
economy factoring in. Little programs we
can offer to new businesses or existing businesses.
Mrs. White indicated that the office still gets requests for
businesses relocating to the
town, but most will ask about tax abatement programs. After a lengthy discussion on what types of grants and/or programs may be
available from the state and/or
federal level, it was noted that Jasmine Lim had received some grants for
economic redevelopment purposes and perhaps we should ask Adam Brewer to
contact her and find out what she got and how she got them.
Mrs. White will call Morris County
and pass this information along to them from our EDC as well as bring the Mayor
up to date.
MINUTES
Adoption of EDC minutes of 4-15-09 – Eligible: Mr. Cain, Mr.
Driscoll, Ms. Sanders, Mr. Kachmar, Mr. Vreeland, Mr. Soussa, Ms. Horowitz, Mr.
Milazzo
Adopted unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mrs. White noted the township applied for a grant to try and
get the streetscape installed in Towaco.
Discussion continued on projects pending at land use level (i..e. Milan renovation and
pending file).
Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda M. White
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