The board’s engagement with H. Grin Associates on the master plan highlighted its role as a strategic policy document guiding the town’s development. The discussion underscored the importance of the master plan in shaping the future of local facilities, including schools and commercial properties, and their impact on traffic conditions. The process of revising the master plan entails the preparation of a reexamination report and drafting documents for public review.

A focal point of the meeting was the proposed amendments to the borough’s Redevelopment plan, particularly to enable the establishment of Cold Storage warehousing as a permissible use. The development in question is poised to occupy a 46-acre tract of land, previously designated as a superfund site by the US EPA. The proposal includes the construction of two Cold Storage Warehouse buildings, complete with trailer storage areas and necessary site improvements.

During the public portion of the meeting, concerns were raised regarding an application for a house of worship, prompting the board to deliberate on the hiring of specialized legal counsel. After a resident’s request for a religious land use attorney, the board moved to hire a Lupa attorney and to commission a review report from a traffic engineering firm.

Another item on the agenda that was postponed was the subdivision hearing for 2069 Highway 35 LLC, which was rescheduled to May 15, 2024.

Their inquiries and the subsequent discussions demonstrate the board’s role in scrutinizing and shaping the town’s growth.