MINUTES - April 8, 2026
MONROE TOWNSHIP AFFORDABLE HOUSING BOARD MEETING
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2026 @ 6:30PM
The Township of Monroe Affordable Housing Board met in the Municipal Building, 1 Municipal Plaza, for a meeting.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. by Chairwoman Miriam Cohen with a Salute to the Flag.
Chairwoman Miriam Cohen requested the Board Attorney Kelly Carey to read the following SUNSHINE LAW:
In accordance with the Open Public Meeting Act, it is hereby announced and shall be entered into the Minutes of this meeting that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by the following:
1. Posted on the Bulletin Board of the Office of the Township Clerk;
2. Posted on the Bulletin Boards within the Municipal Complex;
3. Printed in the Home News Tribune on December 26, 2025; and
4. Posted on the Monroe Township website
UPON ROLL CALL the following members of the Board were present: Chairwoman Miriam Cohen, Vice-Chairman Randy Beverly, Board Members Richard Lans, Hemant Patel, Alternate I Board Member Andrea Pellezzi and Alternate II Board Member Arnold Riback.
ALSO PRESENT: Board Attorney Kelly Carey, Board Planner Christopher Dochney, Board Engineer Mark Rasimowicz, Affordable Housing Secretary Jeffrey Mogila.
ABSENT: Alternate II Board Member Milind Desai & Affordable Housing Coordinator/Municipal Housing Liaison Tanya Pannucci.
Chairwoman Miriam Cohen confirmed that there is a five (5) minute standing rule that applies for the public portion of the meeting.
(3) Members of the Public were in attendance.
Approval of Minutes: MTAHB Meeting – January 14, 2026
UPON MOTION made by Board Member Hemant Patel and seconded by Alternate II Board Member Arnold Riback, the Approval of Minutes: MTAHB Meeting – January 14, 2026 was approved.
Board Attorney’s Report, Kelly Carey, Esq.:
· Board Attorney Kelly Carey discussed the Township’s 4th round affordable housing obligation, noting that we have adopted the required ordinances which can be found on the Township’s website. Alternate II Board Member, Arnold Riback asked if anything changed with our trust fund numbers, to which Board Attorney Carey explained it constantly changes with incoming revenue and expenditures. She went on to say that we had approximately $8.7 million in our Trust Fund as of December 31, 2024 and with projected development fees including interest over the next 10 years estimated around $7.9 million. Board Attorney Carey added that our Board helps to monitor the money spent by authorizing resolutions, such as for our professional contracts and rehabilitation programs, for expenditures when necessary.
Board Planner’s Report, Christopher Dochney, PP, Artheon, Inc. – No Report
Board Engineer’s Report, Mark Rasimowicz, Centerstate Engineering: No Report
New Business:
§ RESOLUTION – RELEASE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING REHAB LIEN FOR MT-361-21
(100% Repayment due back to Twp. in the amount of $50,560.00)
UPON MOTION made by Board Member Hemant Patel and seconded by Alternate II Board Member Arnold Riback, the Release of Affordable Housing Rehab Lien for MT-361-21 was approved.
§ Prof. Services Contract for Round 4 Affordable Housing Planning Services: Planner (Leon S. Avakian) – Jennifer Beahm, P.E., P.P., C.M.E., C.P.W.M. (not to exceed $5,000)
UPON MOTION made by Board Member Hemant Patel and seconded by Alternate I Board Member Andrea Pellezzi, the Prof. Services Contract for Round 4 Affordable Housing Planning Services: Planner (Leon S. Avakian) – Jennifer Beahm, P.E., P.P., C.M.E., C.P.W.M. (not to exceed $5,000) was approved.
Old Business:
§ None
Public Comment:
§ Michelle Arminio commented that she reviewed the documents pertaining to the 4th round and inquired as to whether or not we had the numbers of what the Township is obligated to build; Board Planner Christopher Dochney stated that all pertinent information can be found on the Township’s website to which Mrs. Arminio commented that in attending a Council meeting she found that the numbers had changed. Board Planner Dochney explained that after litigating the Township’s requirements, the requirement was settled in Court; Mrs. Arminio asked where she could find that information to which Chairwoman Cohen stated that she would get that information to her. Mrs. Arminio went on to state that the Township could take ‘durational adjustment’, meaning that the Township can defer its affordable housing obligations until the necessary infrastructure, such as water and sewer services, becomes available. Board Planner Dochney clarified that it also means that the water and sewer capacity is necessary although there is no obligation to expand the water and sewer areas. Board Engineer Mark Rasimowicz added that this 4th round gave us calculations, as well as, removing certain homes and clarifying our requirements to comply.
UPON MOTION made by Vice Chairman Randy Beverly and seconded by Board Member Hemant Patel the meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
Jeffrey Mogila
Affordable Housing Secretary
NEXT MEETING: May 13, 2026