BY LAUREN MATTHEW
Staff Writer
OLD BRIDGE — Mayor Jim Phillips made changes to the township’s new redevelopment agency Monday night due in part to residency issues in the first round of appointments.
Phillips last week announced six appointments to the agency, which will oversee the development of a partnership with the YMCA to build a recreation center in Mannino Park; forming a partnership to build a golf course on former farmland off Lambertson Road; and the Crossroads project for the development of 500 acres at routes 9 and 18.
However, appointees Robin Rosen and Frederick Kurtz cannot serve based on a township ordinance requiring that members of the committee be township residents. Since the terms are for three to five years, Kurtz and Rosen would have to remain township residents for that entire time in order to serve, which will not be the case, Phillips said.
“It was my oversight,” the mayor said, noting that his assistant, Diane Amabile, pointed out the problem.
At Monday’s Township Council meeting, appointments to the agency were awarded to Joseph Arena, who is a township resident and member of the Economic Development Corp. (EDC), and resident Suzanne Meyer.
“I’d like to say a few words in favor of Joe Arena,” council Vice President Patrick Gillespie said, citing first-hand experience and knowledge of redevelopment issues among Arena’s assets. “I think he would be a good addition to this [agency].”
Arena and Meyer were approved to serve on the agency in a vote of 6-2. Ward 5 Councilman Richard Greene and Ward 6 Councilwoman Lucille Panos, the council’s two Republican members, voted against the appointments.
Panos contended that an agenda meeting was not the correct forum for such a vote, saying “Not tonight,” when she voted.
The prior appointments include Councilman Edward Testino, architect and planning consultant Roy Quackenbush, Columbia Bank Regional Branch Administrative Officer Mark Proudman, Oasis Auto Center owner Robin Rosen, retired Old Bridge Police Chief William Volkert, and Russell Azzarello, a former mayor and the current EDC executive director.
Also at Monday’s meeting, temporary budget appropriations in the amount of $22,100 were made for the police department and the development of township roads.
There was some concern among council members as to why budget items were being voted on at an agenda meeting instead of during last week’s combined meeting, when temporary budget appropriations were on the consent agenda.
Township Finance Director Himanshu Shah addressed the matter.
“The main need that we have is in the road department,” Shah said, “which needs $15,000 of this money. … We want to get this grant going.”
The remaining $7,100, allocated to the police, will be used for bullet-proof vests, according to Police Chief Thomas H. Collow.
The budget appropriations passed with eight affirming votes.
The council’s next meeting is scheduled for 8 p.m. Monday in the township’s municipal center.