Township Committee introduces ordinance to close the deal
By Joanne Degnan, Managing Editor
PLUMSTED The Township Committee met Friday night to introduce an ordinance that would allow a local redeveloper to buy the former Hartman’s Pharmacy in downtown New Egypt for $20,000.
The township acquired the abandoned three-story structure at 29 Main St. through condemnation five years ago. The 4,000-square-foot building dates to 1875 and needs extensive repairs, but still retains some original interior details, including a chestnut staircase, plaster crown molding and pocket doors.
The purchaser is Fee Simple Investments LLC, which is owned by Evergreen Road resident Chris Neuert. As part of the deal, Mr. Neuert is required to complete the renovation of the 19th-century structure within 18 months.
”He’ll have to invest $200,000 to bring it to the point where it can be used again for commercial and residential purposes,” said Peter Ylvisaker, executive director of Main Street New Egypt, which works to promote both the historic and economic redevelopment of the downtown business district.
Mr. Neuert, an insurance agent, told the Township Committee he wants to open an insurance agency on the ground floor of the building within four months of closing the deal, then finish the renovation of the residential space on the second and third floors within a year after that.
Mr. Neuert said he requested the special meeting to introduce the ordinance because he is anxious to close quickly so he can replace the leaking roof before more water damage occurs to the interior.
”Immediately, I want to pull permits and get the roof done to stop damage to the building,” Mr. Neuert said at the meeting. “Then I’m going to work on the exterior, then the interior first floor and then work my way up.”
Mayor Dave Leutwyler said the township had been seeking a buyer for the former Hartman’s Pharmacy building since 2008 and was pleased Mr. Neuert had presented a plan that would “beautify it and put it back on the tax rolls.”
The deal cannot close until a public hearing and final adoption vote is taken on the ordinance authorizing the property sale. A separate redevelopment agreement also must be approved by resolution.
The vote to introduce the ordinance was 4-1 with Township Committeeman Jack Trotta casting the lone vote against it. Mr. Trotta said Sunday that he voted no because he was frustrated about the cost to taxpayers of scheduling the special meeting Friday night, March 2, when the Township Committee’s regularly scheduled meeting for Wednesday, March 7, was just a few days away.
”It’s not fair to the taxpayers because special meetings have to be advertised with paid notices in newspapers so there is that, plus the cost of having the township clerk come in for an extra meeting,” Mr. Trotta said.
Mr. Trotta said the ordinance could have been introduced weeks earlier at a regular meeting if Mr. Neuert had “answered questions in more timely manner.”
Mayor Leutwyler said that with the ordinance’s introduction March 2, the soonest the township legally can hold the public hearing and final adoption vote is March 12. Whether a special meeting will be needed on that date depends on how long it takes the attorneys on both sides to review the legal paperwork.
”The scheduling of the closing, making sure all the documents are in order for a closing and the simultaneous execution of a redeveloper’s agreement at the closing, needs to be coordinated with the attorneys for both the township and the redeveloper,” Township Administrator Ron Dancer said.
Mr. Ylvisaker said selling the former Hartman building adds to “quite a bit of activity of late” in the downtown New Egypt business district. Mr. Ylvisaker said five stores have opened, including Snoopers Coop and Thrift store, 9 Main St.; Dandy Dog, 5 Main St.; Vita J. Salon, 27 Main St.; Studio 64 Skin Care, 33 Main St.; and Image Embroidery and Silkscreening, 4 Main St.
In addition, an antiques store is coming soon to 37 Main St.; and a Subway sandwich shop recently received Planning Board approval to be built on the old Exxon gas station property at 55 Main St. The Subway shop is expected to open late this summer, Mr. Ylvisaker said.

