MINUTES - April 9, 2025
MONROE TOWNSHIP AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2025 @ 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 27, 2024; and
- Posted on the Monroe Township website
UPON ROLL CALL the following members of the Board were present: Chairwoman Miriam Cohen, Vice-Chairman Randy Beverly, Board Members Richard Lans, Hemant Patel, Andrea Pellezzi and Alternate I Member Arnold Riback.
ALSO PRESENT: Board Planner Malvika, Christopher A. Zingaro, Esq. from Rainone, Coughlin, Minchello, LLC, Affordable Housing Secretary Jeffrey Mogila & Affordable Housing Coordinator Tanya Pannucci.
ABSENT: Board Attorney Jerome J. Convery & Board Engineer Mark Rasimowicz.
Chairwoman Miriam Cohen confirmed that there is a five (5) minute standing rule that applies for the public portion of the meeting.
(3) Members of the Public were in attendance.
Approval of Minutes: MTAHB Meeting – January 8, 2025
UPON MOTION made by Board Member Andrea Pellezi and seconded by Vice-Chairman Randy Beverly, the Approval of Minutes: MTAHB Meeting – January 8, 2025 was approved.
ROLL CALL: Chairwoman, Miriam Cohen Aye
Vice-Chairman, Randy Beverly Aye
Board Member, Richard Lans Aye
Board Member, Hemant Patel Aye
Board Member, Andrea Pellezzi Aye
Alternate I Board Member, Arnold Riback Aye
Board Attorney’s Report, Jerome J. Convery, Esq.: No Report – Absent.
Resolution read aloud by Affordable Housing Coordinator Tanya Pannucci:
- RESOLUTION – AUTHORIZING MODIFICATION TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACT FOR ROUND 4 AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLANNING SERVICES WITH PLANNER LEON S. AVAKIAN – JENNIFER BEAHM, P.E., P.P., C.M.E., C.P.W.M. (additional $8,700 for 2024)
UPON MOTION made by Vice-Chairman Randy Beverly and seconded by Alternate I Board Member Arnold Riback, the Authorization modification to professional service contract for Round 4 Affordable Housing planning services with planner Leon S. Avakian – Jennifer Beahm P.E., P.P., C.M.E., C.P.W.M. was approved.
ROLL CALL: Chairwoman, Miriam Cohen Aye
Vice-Chairman, Randy Beverly Aye
Board Member, Richard Lans Aye
Board Member, Hemant Patel Aye
Board Member, Andrea Pellezzi Aye
Alternate I Board Member, Arnold Riback Aye
Board Planner’s Report, Malvika Apte – No Report.
Board Engineer’s Report, Mark Rasimowicz, Centerstate Engineering: No Report – Absent.
Resolutions read aloud by Affordable Housing Coordinator Tanya Pannucci:
- RESOLUTION – AUTHORIZING AWARD OF REHABILITATION CONTRACT FOR MT-381-24 (Contract amount $51,440)
UPON MOTION made by Alternate I Board Member Arnold Riback and seconded by Board Member Richard Lans, the Authorizing award of rehabilitating contract for MT-381-24 was approved.
ROLL CALL: Chairwoman, Miriam Cohen Aye
Vice-Chairman, Randy Beverly Aye
Board Member, Kenneth Hilyard Aye
Board Member, Richard Lans Aye
Board Member, Hemant Patel Aye
Board Member, Andrea Pellezzi Aye
Alternate I Board Member, Arnold Riback Aye
- RESOLUTION – AUTHORIZING AWARD OF REHABILITATION CONTRACT FOR MT-382-24 (Contract amount $88,044)
UPON MOTION made by Vice-Chairman Randy Beverly and seconded by Board Member Hemant Patel, the Authorizing award of rehabilitating contract for MT-382-24 was approved.
ROLL CALL: Chairwoman, Miriam Cohen Aye
Vice-Chairman, Randy Beverly Aye
Board Member, Kenneth Hilyard Aye
Board Member, Richard Lans Aye
Board Member, Hemant Patel Aye
Board Member, Andrea Pellezzi Aye
Alternate I Board Member, Arnold Riback Aye
Christopher D. Zingaro, Esq. from Rainone, Coughlin, Minchello, LLC – Round 4 A.H. Update:
- Zingaro provided an update that Affordable Housing program amended last bill. By 1/31/25, Municipalities had to submit obligations for Round 4. Mr. Zingaro explained that numbers have been established but doesn’t necessarily have to be that number. Mr. Zingaro also said the legislature is set and a plan needs to be submitted to gain immunity before 1/30/25. When 4th Round opportunity for Veteran’s project was brought up, Chairwoman Miram Cohen stated the goal was to fill Veterans to capacity. Affordable Housing Coordinator Tanya Pannucci added that 37 units are 100% occupied and 43 units are veteran preference. Alternate I Arnold Riback asked why are we not getting the capacity filled? Affordable Housing Coordinatory Tanya Pannucci stated there are not enough veterans who qualify.
New Business:
- No new business.
Old Business:
- No old business.
Public Comment:
- Michelle Arminio asked if the unit cap is just on the Affordable Housing units for Round 3; Christopher Zingaro, Esq. from the firm Rainone, Coughlin & Minchello explained it is applicable to Round 3 with the obligation being 851. He went on to explain that if the obligation is more than 1,000 you only have to provide for 1,000 adding that a settlement brought the number down and they are looking at ways to provide credits from Round 3 to Round 4. Arminio stated that it doesn’t seem to hit the obligation and this 1,000 cap does not help us. Board Planner Malvika Apte added that mechanisms are still going on to which Mrs. Arminio asked if on paper we met the obligation; Board Planner Malvika Apte answered yes that the Township is actively meeting those obligations, adding that the rules are new and if over 1,000 units we will be capped at 1,000 as this can be used as credits into the next round. She further explained that we are aggressively trying to meet our number. Lastly, Mr. Zingaro gave an overview about how the surplus units are factored into our obligation.
UPON MOTION made by Vice Chairman Randy Beverly and seconded by Board Member Hemant Patel the meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Chairwoman, Miriam Cohen Aye
Vice-Chairman, Randy Beverly Aye
Board Member, Richard Lans Aye
Board Member, Hemant Patel Aye
Board Member, Andrea Pellezzi Aye
Alternate I Board Member, Arnold Riback Aye
Jeffrey Mogila
Affordable Housing Secretary
NEXT MEETING: JULY 9, 2025