SARA approves amended MOU with NJDEP for Brownfield Development Area steering committee

SARA commissioners adopted a resolution approving an amended memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) that updates an original 2013 MOU governing the borough’s Brownfield Development Area steering committee.

Agency counsel Mike summarized the change, telling commissioners the original MOU signed in February 2013 was “very simple” and that the DEP has supplied a new standard form it now expects to use for multiple municipalities. The new form, he said, includes items that no longer apply to SARA (for example, scheduling an initial BDA meeting) but requires the updated MOU to be signed. Counsel confirmed the municipality itself will not be signing as a separate party; the chair or the steering committee representative will sign on behalf of SARA.

Action: the agency voted by roll call to adopt the amended MOU resolution; the vote passed with affirmative votes recorded.

Why it matters: an amended MOU updates the formal relationship and responsibilities between SARA and the NJDEP on brownfield‑area steering committee activities and may reflect new DEP reporting or scheduling expectations even when specific items are not applicable to SARA.

Discussion vs. decision: this was a formal action; the resolution was adopted on the record by roll call vote.

Next steps: execute the amended MOU with the chair signing on behalf of SARA and continue coordination under the DEP’s updated form.