ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Meeting Minutes

July 7, 2005 – 7:30 P.M.

 

Attendees:    Jim Shuster, Chair

                  Ramona Pontelandolfo, Vice Chair

                  Erik Cagle, Primary Member

                  Tom Hayes, Primary Member

                  Dennis Stuempfle, Alternate No. 1

                  Bob Ternay, Alternate No. 2

                  Marlene Urban, Business Representative

                  Carrie Mullin, Secretary

 

Excused:       Fred Laning, Primary Member

                  Maxine Hargus, Township Committee Representative

 

Absent:        Second Township Committee Representative

        

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:38 P.M. followed by the flag salute and roll call.  The Chairman read the Statement of Compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act (Sunshine Law) as follows:

 

“Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by a posting on the Bulletin Board in the Municipal Building Lobby on January 29, 2005, by communicating to the newspapers, Today’s Sunbeam and Elmer Times, on January 29, 2005 and by filing with the clerk of Pittsgrove Township on January 29, 2005.”

 

The Chairman designated Dennis Stuempfle to serve as a primary member in place of Fred Laning as per the committee by-laws.

 

MINUTES

During the review of the minutes, Dennis Stuempfle noted that the word “eminent” was spelled incorrectly.  Erik Cagle made a motion to accept the minutes with the aforementioned amendments.  Dennis Stuempfle seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1.     Landis Avenue Redevelopment

a.     Feedback from the June 28th Township Committee Meeting

Jim Shuster attended the June 28th meeting and reported that during the meeting, the Environmental Commission had enlisted the help of Dennis Miranda of GoNative! Environmental Consulting to reinforce the environmental issues with the proposed redevelopment initiative. The points expressed by Mr. Miranda echoed previous concerns voiced by Environmental Commission Chairman, Herb Wegner.  Mr. Miranda appeared to be misinformed and Mayor Voros shared the correct information throughout Mr. Miranda’s presentation.  The Township had already done, or will be doing, most of the things that Mr. Miranda mentioned.  The Township Committee documented receipt of the recommendation for the proposed redevelopment area from the Planning Board, but no further action would be taken until more is known about the implications of Fast Track.  The Township Committee expressed an interest in creating a subcommittee to focus on this initiative should it be approved.

 

Jim Shuster suggested that the EDC send a memo to the EC formally requesting their input on the proposed redevelopment initiative.  He felt that it will be essential to have input from the EC regarding environmental concerns in the area and that the EDC could gain knowledge from their expertise. 

 

Dennis Stuempfle made a motion to have the Secretary draft a memo to the EC that would be forwarded to the EDC members via e-mail for their review and feedback, allowing the Chairman to make the final decision about the content before it is forwarded to the EC.  Tom Hayes seconded the motion.  Vote:  All in favor.

 

The committee discussed the key points that need to be covered in this memo, including the following:

 

·   Discuss that Township Committee has not moved to designate a redevelopment area, awaiting the results of Fast Track legislation;

·   Township Committee has expressed a desire to form a redevelopment subcommittee to draft redevelopment plan guidelines should it be approved;

·   In anticipation of that, the EDC is soliciting input/feedback relative to the environmentally sensitive areas and how to enhance and protect the areas while maintaining their integrity in an effort to educate the EDC members on the topic;

·   As in the past, the EDC is seeking input from the EC;

·   Request for a formal written response with any ideas, suggestions or recommended resources relative to these areas;

·   Emphasize that the EDC would like to continue to have an open dialogue in the future with the EC.

 

The Secretary will draft the memo to include these points and forward to the members for review as per the aforementioned motion.

 

b.     Memo to Township Committee re Subcommittee

The memo to the Township Committee regarding the potential selection of members for the Redevelopment Subcommittee was sent.  The memo is expected to be reviewed at their July meeting.

 

c.     Fast Track Legislation Update

There has been no activity regarding Fast Track legislation.  The McGreevey imposed deadline has passed without resolution. More may be known by the August meeting.

 

2.     Vineland Foods Update

Jim Shuster attempted to get feedback from Ed Dietz at the state level, and Jim Waddington at the county level regarding the proposed development by Vineland Foods, but had not received any.  Tom Hayes suggested having the Mayor contact Jim Waddington to reemphasize that Pittsgrove is in favor of this initiative in an effort to jumpstart the process.  Jim will follow-up with Mayor Voros.

        

Ramona Pontelandolfo asked about the water usage implications of the proposed development.  Jim Shuster responded that he believed there were no adverse implications.  Bob Ternay indicated that the Planning Board would have a technical review while considering this project and that the company would likely have to dig a large well.

 

Marlene Urban is continuing to work with Vineland Foods regarding their financial needs and is anxious to have an update on the progress.  Jim Shuster will e-mail updates to committee members on any activity during the next month.

 

3.     Fall Farmer’s Market

Ramona Pontelandolfo shared an article with the committee regarding the farmers markets in Vineland, Bridgeton and Millville.  These farmers markets do not begin until June 18th so Pittsgrove Day may be too early to host a farmers market in the township.  She mentioned that the senior population in Cumberland County had been given $20 vouchers to be spent only at the farmer’s markets and she believed that this was a nice idea that could be used in Pittsgrove.  Ramona felt that it would be too hard to pull together an event for the fall and thought it best to do more research before moving forward.

 

Jim Shuster indicated that the EDC might want to learn more from the farmers themselves about what help they need.  Tom Hayes mentioned that when the EDC addressed that question before, then EDC Township Representative Linda DuBois, whose family are farmers, had directed the committee to the Salem County Agriculture Board, but that it has been difficult getting a response.  Tom reiterated that the EDC needs to find out what local farmers need in terms of business support.  Jim suggested that the EDC members talk to local farmers about their needs and what they would think about a farmer’s market.  The committee debated over whether it would be best to send a letter, a survey, or invite local farmers to a future meeting.  The committee ultimately decided that Jim Shuster will make personal contact with local farmers in late August.  This discussion will be tabled until the September EDC meeting.

 

4.     Attendance Letter Response

Jim Shuster reported that at the June 28th Township Committee meeting, Ken Martin had been removed as EDC Township Committee Representative.  Linda DuBois is expected to be his replacement, but the EDC has not received formal communication on this.

 

NEW BUSINESS

1.     Communications

a.     Jim Shuster received an e-mail from Fred Laning indicating that he would not be able to attend this meeting.  Fred stated that he would contact Jim to discuss his possible resignation from the committee.  Jim will follow-up with Fred prior to the August meeting.

 

b.     Jim Shuster discussed his communications with the Franzwas, owners of Franzwa’s RV Marine in Millville, regarding their desire to move their business to Pittsgrove.  They had tried to purchase the property on Landis Avenue where D&D Bargains now resides. While making sure they could satisfy zoning requirements before buying, D&D Bargains purchased the property.  The Franzwa’s have since considered other properties including the old ‘Positive TV’ property, but it was sold at auction to someone else.  Jim asked the committee if there was anything that can be done to help them, especially since they are Pittsgrove residents and the bargain store has continually been in violation of zoning regulations.  Jim asked if there were fines that could be imposed to encourage compliance. Ramona Pontelandolfo volunteered to contact the Zoning Official.  Bob Ternay volunteered to discuss the issue with the Planning Board.  Jim Shuster will talk with the Township Committee to see what can be done.

 

c.     Jim Shuster received an electronic copy of the needs assessment report from Waetzman and would forward it to any EDC members upon request.

 

2.     Township Calendar Subcommittee Assignments

Jim Shuster designated a subcommittee to work on the 2006 Township Calendar that consisted of himself, Carrie Mullin, Township Webmaster Regina Shuster, and Maxine Hargus.  He asked if there was anyone else from the committee who would be interested in participating.  No additional members volunteered.  The subcommittee will work with The Bank, as they will be sponsoring the project again.  Jim will contact Dave Mulford to inform him about the subcommittee formation.  Jim shared with the committee that this would be an agenda item in future meetings.

 

OPEN DISCUSSION

1.     Peterson Project

Marlene Urban asked if Jim had heard anything regarding the Peterson Project at Landis Ave and Alvine Rd.  Jim stated that he knew there were some problems with getting approvals due to the environmental buffers.  Bob Ternay contributed that the Planning Board has a lot of gray areas that are being discussed as part of this plan and that they were currently comparing drawings submitted by the Mr. Peterson.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Erik Cagle made a motion, which was seconded by Tom Hayes, to adjourn the meeting at 9:24 p.m. Vote: All in favor.

 

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 4, 2005 at 7:30 p.m.

at the Pittsgrove Township Municipal Building.