Chair Miller offers $625,000 toward naming rights for Chase Road Park; board authorizes negotiations

Chair David Miller and township staff told the board on June 15 that research by staff suggested naming-rights for the newly acquired Chase Road Park could reasonably be valued between $500,000 and $1 million. Finance committee material and a staff presentation said a $625,000 gift had been proposed to match the $625,000 the township paid as just compensation for the property.

Dr. Gussy, who presented the research and summarized the recommended motion, said the contribution would be structured over a period not to exceed five years with payment schedule and other terms to be negotiated. "As is customary with gifts of this magnitude, the contribution would be made over a period of not to exceed 5 years with a specific payment schedule and other terms to be negotiated and incorporated into the agreement," Dr. Gussy said.

Board members and members of the public asked procedural questions: whether naming would be time-limited or permanent, whether a future higher bid could replace an earlier naming agreement, and whether names would be corporate or personal. Staff said those items are part of the agreement the solicitor will draft, and the board voted to authorize staff to begin negotiation and drafting. The authorization does not adopt any final agreement or name; the board will consider any proposed agreement at a future meeting.

The board discussion also included a standing concern about conflicts of interest when an elected official is the potential donor. Staff and supervisors acknowledged that any final agreement would need conflict-management language and that the supervisor-donor would not be the lead negotiator for the township.

Next steps: staff will work with the township solicitor on draft agreement language and return a proposed naming-rights agreement for board consideration. No final naming agreement was approved at the meeting.