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High Bridge council reviews legal issues tied to 100 West Main Street, moves into executive session
Summary
At an Aug. 8 emergency meeting, the High Bridge Borough Council reviewed legal issues and a proposed contract involving 100 West Main Street and the estate of Peter Vaida, referenced a possible $1 million fine, and approved motions to convene the emergency meeting and to enter and exit executive session.
At a special emergency meeting Aug. 8, 2023, the Borough of High Bridge Council reviewed legal issues connected to 100 West Main Street and moved into executive session to receive legal advice about litigation with the estate of Peter Vaida.
The presiding officer opened the meeting with the required public-notice statement under the Open Public Meetings Law, saying: "This Special Meeting was called pursuant to the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Law. Notices of this meeting were sent to the Hunterdon Democrat and the Hunterdon Review on August 4th, 2023. In addition, copies of notices were posted on the bulletin board in the Municipal Building and filed in the office of the Municipal Clerk on aforementioned date. Notices on the bulletin board have remained continuously posted. Proper notice having been given, the Municipal Clerk is directed to include this statement in the minutes of this meeting." The statement was entered into the record by the presiding officer.
Mayor Michele Lee and Borough Attorney Barry Goodman reviewed the "past and present status" of 100 West Main Street, described redevelopment interest in the property and referenced a proposed contract between the estate of Peter Vaida and a potential developer. They also referenced a one million dollar fine associated with the property; the meeting record states the fine amount but does not provide further detail about its origin or enforcement in open session.
During roll call, Municipal Clerk Adam Young recorded Councilman Doyle, Councilman Nowell, Mayor Michele Lee, Councilwoman Ferry, Councilman Schwartz, Councilman Graham and Councilman Silvestri as present. Attorney Goodman and Deputy Administrator Brett Bartman were also listed as present.
Councilman Silvestri moved and Councilwoman Ferry seconded Resolution 216-2023 to authorize the Aug. 8 emergency meeting; the council adopted it on a 6-0 roll-call vote. Later, Councilman Doyle moved and Councilman Nowell seconded Resolution 217-2023 to move into executive session for legal advice concerning litigation with the estate of Peter Vaida and 100 West Main Street; that motion passed on a 6-0 roll-call vote. The record shows a subsequent motion to return to open session (mover: Councilman Doyle; seconder: Councilwoman Ferry) that also passed 6-0.
No formal action or public vote on redevelopment, contracts, or the referenced fine was taken in open session. The council adjourned following the return to open session; a motion to adjourn (mover: Councilman Doyle; seconder: Councilman Nowell) passed 6-0. The council announced its next regular meeting for Aug. 17, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. at the Fire House, 7 Maryland Ave., High Bridge.
The minutes record that Municipal Clerk Adam Young and Mayor Michele Lee attested the meeting minutes.
Next procedural steps were not specified in the public minutes. Any legal strategy, settlement discussions or privileged advice provided in the executive session were not disclosed in the open record during this meeting.
