At the outset of the meeting, there was a notable change in leadership as Ashley Sakur was elected as the new vice chairperson of the Bridgewater Planning Board. Sakur’s election was significant despite her absence from the meeting, with her nomination being seconded and carried through a roll call vote. The board also elected Miss Probas as board secretary and Sonia Chtz as assistant board secretary.

Further administrative proceedings included the appointment of board professionals. The board named Mark RPC Esquire as board attorney and CME Associates as the Consulting engineer for Bridgewater. A resolution awarding a contract to Mr. Mark RPC’s firm was adopted.

Chairman Vessio announced the cancellation of the February 20th meeting, which led to some debate among board members. Despite differing opinions, the board ultimately adopted the amended calendar. Additionally, the designation of The Courier News and the Star Ledger as the official newspapers for 2024 was confirmed without contention.

The meeting then addressed the resolution for Solaris corporation, with Councilman Green and Mayor Matthew Moench commenting on the corporation’s positive impact. The success story of Bob Levis was highlighted by Mayor Moench as an example of the corporation’s beneficial influence.

Public engagement became a focal point when a concerned citizen, Ms. Funkhouser, voiced her dissatisfaction with the adjournment of a hearing due to the unavailability of an engineer. This marked the second adjournment that inconvenienced Ms. Funkhouser, bringing to light the board’s procedural challenges and their impact on the public. In response, the board assured her no further notice would be necessary for the rescheduled hearing and offered to add her to a confidential email list for updates.

The board’s executive session delved into litigation matters concerning AR Bridgewater 2, where an amendment to the settlement agreement was discussed and authorized.

In recognition of contributions to the board, a special thanks was extended to Lauren Zaro for her service. The welcoming of new members, Mr. Atkins and Mr. Chower, points to a rejuvenation of the board with fresh perspectives.