Sayreville ERA approves personnel and consent items; staff outlines new website, leases and audits
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Summary
Agency staff outlined a new sarahnj.gov website and mobile app, reported area-need investigation results, and the board approved a series of consent resolutions including a Verizon lease extension, a Starbucks recognition amendment, a resignation and appointment of recording secretary, and several professional qualifications.
Agency executive director Zach told commissioners the agency is working with Apogee to design and launch a modernized website, sarahnj.gov, along with a companion mobile app and social‑media integration. Zach said negotiation reduced initial costs and that the agency contracted for two years of design and hosting at a total of $13,000, described as $6,600 for hosting/design/publishing and $6,500 for annual hosting — staff characterized the term as a two‑year package totaling $13,000.
Zach and redevelopment staff also reported that area‑need investigations for the former Sunshine Biscuit factory and for the JCP&L property off River Road were completed and accepted by the planning board; pending borough‑council approval staff will draft amended redevelopment plans to formally incorporate the designated areas. Staff said two additional area‑need investigations — Ernston Road & Route 9, and Crossman & Main Street — are in preparation for a July planning‑board presentation.
On leases, staff reported the agency negotiated an extension of a land lease with Verizon from 2030 to 2035, with five additional five‑year extension options. The reported base rent is $23,419.11 per year with a 3% annual increase on extension terms. The board approved a resolution adopting that lease extension.
Under attorney’s report, the board discussed and adopted an amended Starbucks recognition agreement recognizing Starbucks as a subtenant to SSA and preserving Starbucks’ right to remain if Starbucks continues to pay rent while the master tenant is in default. Counsel said Starbucks corporate counsel requested reversion to wording closer to the original agreement. The board approved the amendment by roll call.
Commissioners also received copies of the agency audit for review and a conceptual design plan from Hanover for the Sunshine Biscuit site was distributed for commissioner reference. The meeting included consent resolutions appointing or acknowledging qualified professionals under the agency’s fair‑and‑open submission process: agency attorney, agency engineer (CNE Associates), auditor (Samuel Klein & Company), financial consultant (Phoenix Advisors), bond counsel, and others. The board took roll‑call votes to adopt the consent block.
Personnel actions recorded in resolutions included accepting a resignation (Beth Magnani) and appointing Denise Zelensky as recording secretary; both resolutions passed by roll call. The board voted to enter an executive (closed) session later in the meeting to discuss contract negotiations under the Open Public Meetings Act.
No financial incentives, bond issues or final redevelopment agreements were approved at the meeting; the matters in this item were administrative, preparatory or preliminary to future board action.
