Mannington committee appoints environmental counsel, hears Salem Medical Center redevelopment update

The Mannington Township Committee voted to appoint the law firm Meyner and Landis LLP as Special Environmental Counsel and heard a presentation on the redevelopment vision for the former Salem Medical Center site.

Redevelopment attorney Joe Baumann told the committee that "the redevelopment study is completed, the redevelopment plan is prepared," and said the redevelopment agreement still needs to be finalized and that the committee will later discuss a financial agreement for the project. Baumann asked Bill Colgan of Community Healthcare Associates to "walk the Committee through his vision for the site and how it all integrates together." Colgan presented his plan and the committee received a paper copy of the presentation.

During the meeting the committee adopted a resolution appointing Meyner and Landis LLP (Albert I. Telsey, Esq.) to provide special environmental counsel on matters including the closed township landfill, Mannington Mills' request to access the township landfill, potential acquisition of landfill property, and compliance with applicable environmental laws. The resolution specifies the contract will be awarded as a non-fair and open contract pursuant to N.J.S.A. 19:44A-20.8 and requires Meyner and Landis to submit additional documentation for review by the township solicitor before the mayor and township clerk sign the retainer.

The committee then adopted a separate resolution authorizing a closed session to discuss attorney–client matters and pending or anticipated contract negotiations related to the proposed redevelopment plan and potential redevelopment agreement for the Salem Medical Center (former Memorial Hospital of Salem County) redevelopment area; the resolution stated no action would be taken during the closed session. The meeting later reopened to the public, the committee reviewed a single roofing quote for the Quonset hut and Mayor Asay suggested obtaining additional quotes, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

The resolution text recorded that Meyner and Landis are prohibited from making contributions to local or Salem County political or candidate committees during the term of the appointment and that a copy of the resolution will be printed in the local newspaper and retained on file with the township clerk. The committee recorded roll-call votes on the counsel appointment: Mayor Asay: yes; Patrick: yes; Emel: yes. The transcript did not specify votes by other attendees or whether additional formal votes occurred on related items during the closed session.