Marlboro officials make a new pitch for business
BY REBECCA MORTON Staff Writer

MARLBORO - The township is "open for business." That point was stressed to commercial and real estate brokers who took part in a Broker's Breakfast at the Marlboro Recreation Community Center on June 24.

The purpose of the seminar was to reintroduce brokerage firms to Marlboro and to display the township's renewed commitment to stimulating commercial economic development.

Deputy Mayor Larry Rosen, who is in charge of economic development, has been working with the reinstated Economic Development Committee to discuss ways in which businesses can be encouraged to move to Marlboro.

Since taking office in January, Mayor Jonathan Hornik has said he will pursue businesses to help offset residential property taxes.

Brokers were encouraged to think outside the box when bringing forward ideas about possible ventures in the township.

"There are tremendous opportunities here" Rosen said.

Lee Reingold, co-chair of Marlboro's Economic Development Committee, said officials are not focusing all of their attention on new businesses. They are also extending a hand to existing businesses in order to address any needs they may have. For example, business owners now have the ability to post free job listings for positions that can be filled by Marlboro teenagers.

Rosen said the Economic Development Committee wants to encourage Marlboro residents to spend money at the township's retail locations. He said as sales at those businesses increase, the area can become more desirable, leading to an increase in commercial ratables.

Toward that end, the committee has unveiled a pilot program called "Shop Marlboro" on the township's Internet Web site. "Shop Marlboro" will provide a directory listing which can be viewed alphabetically or by category of the business in Marlboro.

In discussing the potential redevelopment of brownfields properties in Marlboro, Township Councilman Frank LaRocca noted these sites include the Entron site, Route 79; the Imperial Oil site, off Tennent Road; the Marlboro State Psychiatric Hospital property, Route 520; and various locations along Route 79 and Texas Road.

"A brownfields site is defined under state law as any former or current commercial or industrial site that is currently vacant or underutilized and on which there has been or is suspected to have been a discharge of a contaminant," LaRocca said.

The councilman said people should not fear that a site is suspected of being contaminated, as many sites are not contaminated. Remediation efforts can be made and money may be available if a property is found to be contaminated, he said.

It was noted that a CVS pharmacy at the corner or Route 79 and Ryan Road, and the Bear Brook Commons shopping center at the corner of Route 79 and Route 520 were built on reclaimed brownfields properties.

Representatives from the Marlboro Planning Board, the Marlboro Zoning Board of Adjustment and the township engineer and planner were present and spoke about the process of building in Marlboro.

Planning Board Chairman Larry Josephs informed the brokers that the planning process has become more streamlined during the last six months.

Josephs noted how the technical review that is held with an applicant and the township's professionals prior to the first public hearing before the Planning Board allows the applicant to present an application that is 90 percent complete.

Projects that are in various stages of planning and development around Marlboro include a Costco membership warehouse in the Regal Cinemas plaza, Route 9 at Texas Road; a Rite Aid pharmacy at Bear Brook Commons, Route 79; a Chase Bank branch on Route 9; and a 20,000- square-foot warehouse.

Township Engineer Ernest Peters told those present that if they have an idea for a project they should call and the township will get the process started.

"It doesn't take you years to get something approved, it (now) takes you months to get something approved," Peters said.

After the formal portion of the meeting, some of the brokers expressed their appreciation to Marlboro officials for hosting the seminar and supplying them with information about the municipality that they can pass on to their clients.