The support of the Medford Business Association and Economic Development Advisory Commission was enough to convince Medford Council to approve the township’s membership into the Main Street New Jersey Program.
Council approved an executive agreement with the state Department of Community Affairs to join Main Street New Jersey as an associate tier member beginning in 2015.
Mayor Chris Buoni was unsure about joining the program when it was originally discussed during council’s Nov. 25 meeting, but was convinced it would be a benefit to the town after speaking with Mike Pagnotta, chairman of the EDC.
“He felt it was worthwhile from a support standpoint,” Buoni said.
Main Street New Jersey is a statewide program providing resources to municipalities with a downtown area. The resources are meant to help further revitalize a municipality’s downtown area.
Beth Portocalis, assistant to the township manager, informed council on Nov. 25 the state had invited Medford to join the program after the township had inquired about it multiple times in the past. Despite the invitation, council tabled the resolution because of a lack of detail about the program and what the township would be required to do.
Council had to make a decision on the program during the meeting, as the state had set a deadline of Dec. 15 for accepting the invitation.
One of the township’s largest concerns was a requirement stating the municipality must submit a one-page, return on investment report each year.
Buoni was unsure of whether the township has all the data the report asks for at the moment. However, Councilman Jeff Beenstock noted the township will not need to file one for another year, giving the township time to acquire the information required.
“We have a year to kind of get up to speed,” Beenstock said.
In addition, Councilman Frank Czekay noted the township can acquire the information as the year progresses.
“You need to have mechanisms in place to track that information as it comes in,” he said. “A lot of it has to do with the planning and construction office.”
The Main Street New Jersey program has the support of various organizations in the township, including the Medford Business Association and the Economic Development Advisory Commission.
“When we made the application earlier this year, it was a joint application prepared by the economic development committee,” Portocalis said on Nov. 25. “To tap into those resources and better tap those into the renaissance of Main Street, the timing seems to be good now.”
Buoni said the program could be beneficial to the township’s board members as a way of better educating themselves on how to make Medford Village a more attractive area for businesses and residents.
“This is the type of thing where we make education available to our board members who are serving on a voluntary basis,” Buoni said. “I would like them to attend some of these informative sessions and to have access to some of the various seminars that are offered.”
As an associate tier member, the township does not need to hire any additional personnel. There is not cost for participation in the program.
