Under the glare of the public eye, in a packed chamber on December 6th, 2017, the Planning Board voted YES to declare Essex Green Shopping Center and Executive Drive as, “An Area in Need of Redevelopment”. “AINR” From the moment the proceedings began, there was public dismay as Chairman Bagoff denied the request that Councilwoman Susan McCartney, the council liaison to the Planning Board, recuse herself for publicly stating that she would vote yes before there was a planner’s report. Chairman Bagoff also denied the public’s request that member Andrew Trenk recuse himself. Andrew is the young son of the Town Attorney Richard Trenk, the chief proponent of the redevelopment-tax abatement scheme. During public questioning and comment, when presented with the facts by informed citizens including an attorney, that the area was not BLIGHTED in accordance with the Redevelopment law, the board members responded with platitudes that revealed that THEY WERE ALL ON MESSAGE about the scheme, as directed by the administration. “It’s a tool.” “The town has a seat at the table.” “Other towns are doing it.” “There are no tax abatements being discussed….now!” Watch the parady: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eobI0s0uXJ0&feature=youtu.be The public wants to know: What will it cost the town to move the Department of Public Works across from Shop Rite? What are the consequences of locating it there in terms of traffic, noise, pollution? How many townhouses or apartments are proposed for the area? What will their tax abatements be? What the public objects to is the potential to offer wealthy developers tax subsidies or abatements, when they can do the redevelopment themselves. According to https://patch.com/new-jersey/millburn/5-short-hills-men-named-among-n-j-s-richest-2016 Larry Pantirer of Short Hills, BNE Real Estate has a net worth of $300 million. And Clarion the new owners of Essex Green are backed by Legg Mason. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/legg-mason-announces-acquisition-of-clarion-partners-300208379.html Please make public comment at the next Town Council meeting, 7pm January 9th and January 23rd. Please share this petition.