Multiple Tenant Ordinance Approved

What follows is an account of actions taken on Aug. 20 by the Bridgewater Township Council, which, while not breaking news, are still of note.

Council approves ordinance to allow multiple tenants in office building

The council unanimously approved an ordinance that will allow for multiple tenants in properties on Route 206, in the economic development zone.

The council has said the decision allows the property to be more attractive to businesses, including the area that is currently being sold by .

“I understand in this ordinance, it will allow us to more actively seek tenants for the Sanofi Aventis building, which would be a huge negative to the township to have it sit empty,” said councilman Matthew Moench. “It is consistent with economic development, doesn’t impact the neighborhood, and just splits use.”

Any changes to the property, Moench said, would obviously still have to be approved by the zoning and planning boards.

“The township is still protected,” he said.

Township councilman Howard Norgalis emphasized that the properties are not being sold by Bridgewater, they are being sold by the owners of the buildings themselves.

One votes no, other council members approve construction fee changes

The council voted to change its ordinance concerning construction fees, despite one vote against from councilman Filipe Pedroso.

The two main changes in the ordinance concern elevator inspections and solar inspections. The former is very time-consuming for the inspectors they have, and the latter was never included in the ordinance before.

The fee for the installation of solar panels from 1 to 50 kilowatts will be set at $67, $134 for panels from 50 to 100 kilowatts and $667 for panels above 100 kilowatts.

In addition, the change in the ordinance addresses seasonal blow-up pools, at 24 inches deep or more, as opposed to regular in-ground ones that are around all year.

Pedroso asked about how much money the township expects to take in from these costs of inspections, and whether it will be beneficial for Bridgewater itself.

Township administrator James Naples said there is no way of knowing exactly how much money the township will take in until they see how many applications they receive.

“Fees are a recurring issue that we need to keep working on,” said township councilman Howard Norgalis.

Council receives Regional Center Partnership Challenge grant for school path

The council unanimously approved a resolution to insert $20,000 into its budget after receiving money through the 2011 Regional Center Partership Challenge grant.

According to township administrator James Naples, the grant money is being used to pay for a built behind .

“This will prevent some hazardous busing behind the school because now there is a walking path,” he said. “Everything is completed, and it saves us some money.”

Council receives $100,000 grant for designated safe corridors

The council unanimously approved a resolution to insert $100,131.75 of grant money through a 2012 New Jersey Department of Transportation Highway Safety Fund grant into its budget.

According to township administrator James Naples, the grant money is for providing for designated safe corridors throughout the town.

“The police have designated funds for vehicles,” he said. “This is to offset the amount the township would have to purchase.”

Naples said the department is hoping to buy two fully loaded cars through this grant.