Fort Monmouth: ‘Now that the bill has passed’ Bayshore Courier News Posted:06/30/10
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Eatontown - The 12th District Legislators announce the passage of the Monmouth Economic Revitalization Act by the State Senate and General Assembly Monday evening. The bill creates and authority to which the federal government can transfer the Fort Monmouth property after its scheduled 2011 closure.
"When this legislation was first introduced last year," said Senator Jennifer Beck, "it needed a lot of work to make it something acceptable to all the parties that will be most effected by the fort's closure. I put my name to it to get those changes made, and we have been able to secure 40 amendments on behalf of local and county officials. Many hours and late night meetings have taken place between then and now, and I am satisfied that all parties have been heard and the best consensus reached. We have made sure that Monmouth County residents will hold five of the nine voting seats on the authority, and that a super majority of seven of nine is needed for any major changes to the redevelopment plan. I am proud of the work that has gone into this bill, and I believe we are in a strong position for when the gates come down at Fort Monmouth."
"This legislation is an important step in ensuring a strong economic future for Monmouth County after the closure of Fort Monmouth," said Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon. "Now that the bill has passed both houses, the members of the authority can be assembled and begin doing the work necessary to preparing for a smooth transfer of property from the federal government to the authority. A lot of time and energy went in to this legislation from officials at all levels of government and both sides of the aisle, and by working together we have the legislation in place that represents the needs of all parties."
The bill includes amendments created in response to concerns by the three communities that host the fort. The amendments include having all issues of density to be approved by local land use boards, as well as a supermajority of seven of the nine voting members of the authority on any significant modification to the plan, and requiring the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders to submit a list of five Monmouth County residents to the Governor to be chosen as one of the Governor's appointments to the authority. This will give the authority five voting members who are residents of Monmouth County and have a personal, vested interest in the future of the county.
The other voting members include the mayors from the three host municipalities, a member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, two additional gubernatorial appointments, plus a member of the Governor's staff, and the Chairman of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. The authority would also have non-voting members, consisting of the Commissioners of the Departments of Transportation, Labor, Environmental Protection and Community Affairs.
"Fort Monmouth has been an integral part to the economy of Monmouth County," said Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande, "so it is vital that we have the proper authority in place to deal with the redevelopment of the 1,100 acres of property that will be left behind after its operations move to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. I am pleased that this bill gives a majority of seats to Monmouth County residents, who will be most effected by the closure."
