MINUTES - July 12, 2023
MONROE TOWNSHIP AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JULY 12, 2023 @ 6:30PM
The Township of Monroe Affordable Housing Board met in the Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Plaza, for a meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairwoman, Miriam Cohen with a Salute to the Flag.
Chairwoman Miriam Cohen requested the Board Attorney to read the following SUNSHINE LAW:
In accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, it is hereby announced and shall be entered into the Minutes of this meeting that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by the following:
- Posted on the Bulletin Board of the Office of the Township Clerk;
- Posted on the Bulletin Boards within the Municipal Complex;
- Printed in the Home News Tribune on December 30, 2022; and
- Posted on the Monroe Township website
UPON ROLL CALL by the Affordable Housing Coordinator Tanya Pannucci, the following members of the Board were present: Chairwoman Miriam Cohen, Vice-Chairman Randy Beverly, Member Hemant Patel, Alternate I Board Member Andrea Pellezzi and Alternate II Board Member Arnold Riback.
ALSO PRESENT: Board Attorney Jerome J. Convery and Board Engineer Mark Rasimowicz.
ABSENT: Board Secretary Alicia Gonzalez, Board Planner Malvika Apte and Board Member Kenneth Hilyard.
Chairwoman Miriam Cohen confirmed that there is a five (5) minute standing rule that applies for the public portion of the meeting.
(2) Members of the Public were in attendance.
Approval of Minutes: MTAHB Meeting – April 19, 2023
UPON MOTION made by Board Member Hemant Patel and seconded by Vice-Chairman Randy Beverly, the MINUTES of the April 19, 2023 Monroe Township Affordable Housing Board Meeting were approved.
ROLL CALL: Chairwoman, Miriam Cohen Aye
Vice-Chairman, Randy Beverly Aye
Board Member, Kenneth Hilyard Absent
Board Member, Richard Lans Abstain
Board Member, Hemant Patel Aye
Alternate I Board Member, Andrea Pellezzi Aye
Alternate II Board Member, Arnold Riback Abstain
Board Attorney’s Report, Jerome J. Convery, Esq.:
- RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THE RELEASE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING LIEN FOR MT-340-18
Board Attorney Jerome J. Convery gave a brief overview of the request for hardship consideration of MT-340-18 stating that the homeowner has passed away and the family is wanting to now sell the property.
UPON MOTION made by Vice-Chairman Randy Beverly and seconded by Board Member Hemant Patel, the Resolution recommending the release of affordable housing lien for MT-340-18 was approved.
ROLL CALL: Chairwoman, Miriam Cohen Aye
Vice-Chairman, Randy Beverly Aye
Board Member, Kenneth Hilyard Absent
Board Member, Richard Lans Aye
Board Member, Hemant Patel Aye
Alternate I Board Member, Andrea Pellezzi Aye
Alternate II Board Member, Arnold Riback Aye
- RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THE RELEASE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING LIEN FOR MT-318-13
Board Attorney Jerome J. Convery explained that this was a resolution modifying a previous resolution approved at the April 13, 2022 Affordable housing Board Meeting which recommended releasing two liens for MT-318-13 upon repayment due to a financial hardship the homeowners were experiencing requiring them to now sell their home. This resolution modifies the amount to be paid back to the Township as the lien has now been in place for eight years and six months requiring only 50% of repayment to be made.
UPON MOTION made by Vice-Chairman Randy Beverly and seconded by Board Member Hemant Patel, the Resolution recommending the release of affordable housing lien for MT-318-13 was approved.
ROLL CALL: Chairwoman, Miriam Cohen Aye
Vice-Chairman, Randy Beverly Aye
Board Member, Kenneth Hilyard Absent
Board Member, Richard Lans Aye
Board Member, Hemant Patel Aye
Alternate I Board Member, Andrea Pellezzi Aye
Alternate II Board Member, Arnold Riback Aye
Board Planner’s Report, Malvika Apte – No Report, Absent.
Board Engineer’s Report, Mark Rasimowicz, Centerstate Engineering
- RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CHANGE ORDER #1 AND FINAL PAYMENT FOR REHABILITATION CONTRACT MT-380-23
Engineer Rasimowicz explained that this resolution was for a Change Order which decreased the contract amount by $10,865, making the final amount $54,325.00.
UPON MOTION made by Board Member Hemant Patel and seconded by Alternate II Board Member Arnold Riback, the Resolution authorizing change order #1 and final payment for rehabilitation contract MT-380-23 was approved.
ROLL CALL: Chairwoman, Miriam Cohen Aye
Vice-Chairman, Randy Beverly Aye
Board Member, Kenneth Hilyard Absent
Board Member, Richard Lans Aye
Board Member, Hemant Patel Aye
Alternate I Board Member, Andrea Pellezzi Aye
Alternate II Board Member, Arnold Riback Aye
New Business:
- No new business.
Old Business:
- No old business.
Affordable Housing Coordinator Tanya Pannucci reminded the Board of the groundbreaking ceremony for our Veteran’s Housing project which will take place next Thursday, June 20th at 9:30am. She added that it is requested for those interested in attending to please be at Patriot’s Park by 9:15am as the ceremony will begin promptly at 9:30am.
Public Comment:
Michelle Arminio, Township Resident – Mrs. Arminio asked in reference to the release of liens, why they could not be paid back to the Township at the time of closing; Board Attorney Jerome Convery answered that they typically are. Mrs. Arminio commented that allowing the liens to be paid prior to closing would then allow the property to be marketed at a higher value due to the work that has been done. Board Attorney Jerome Convery rebutted that could be true but is not considered for our purposes. Affordable Housing Coordinator Tanya Pannucci added that the discharge of lien is not considered by Council until payment has been made per the Board’s recommendation resolution.
UPON MOTION made by Alternate I Board Member Andrea Pellezzi and seconded by Board Member Richard Lans the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Chairwoman, Miriam Cohen Aye
Vice-Chairman, Randy Beverly Aye
Board Member, Kenneth Hilyard Absent
Board Member, Richard Lans Aye
Board Member, Hemant Patel Aye
Alternate I Board Member, Andrea Pellezzi Aye
Alternate II Board Member, Arnold Riback Aye
Tanya Pannucci
Affordable Housing Coordinator
NEXT MEETING: OCTOBER 11, 2023