Progress Reports From DEVCO
Charlie Kratovil made this OPRA request to Middlesex County Improvement Authority This request has been closed to new correspondence. Contact us if you think it should be reopened.
Dear Middlesex County Improvement Authority,
Under OPRA and the common law right of access, please provide copies of all progress reports provided to the MCIA thus far by the designated redeveloper for each of the following projects:
1) Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ (RCINJ)
2) RCINJ Parking Garage and Power Plant
3) Blanquita Valenti School aka 50 Jersey Avenue School
Yours faithfully,
Charlie Kratovil
Hi Charlie,
Anne is away this week and I just got back today. The information will be sent shortly.
Thank you, have a nice weekend.
Carol Byrnes
Custodian of Records
-----Original Message-----
From: Charlie Kratovil <[OPRA #25845 email]>
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2021 10:12 PM
To: Carol Byrnes <[email address]>
Subject: OPRA request - Progress Reports From DEVCO
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the Middlesex County organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Middlesex County Improvement Authority,
Under OPRA and the common law right of access, please provide copies of all progress reports provided to the MCIA thus far by the designated redeveloper for each of the following projects:
1) Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ (RCINJ)
2) RCINJ Parking Garage and Power Plant
3) Blanquita Valenti School aka 50 Jersey Avenue School
Yours faithfully,
Charlie Kratovil
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use deliver records electronically via email to the below UNIQUE address for all replies to this request:
[OPRA #25845 email]
Is [Middlesex County Improvement Authority request email] the wrong address for OPRA requests to Middlesex County Improvement Authority? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://opramachine.com/change_request/n...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://opramachine.com/help/officers
View this OPRA request & responses online:
https://opramachine.com/request/progress...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an OPRA custodian, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's website.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Charlie,
Please see attached request.
Thank you,
Carol Byrnes
Custodian of Records
-----Original Message-----
From: Charlie Kratovil <[OPRA #25845 email]>
Sent: Friday, September 10, 2021 10:12 PM
To: Carol Byrnes <[email address]>
Subject: OPRA request - Progress Reports From DEVCO
CAUTION: This email originated from outside the Middlesex County organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
Dear Middlesex County Improvement Authority,
Under OPRA and the common law right of access, please provide copies of all progress reports provided to the MCIA thus far by the designated redeveloper for each of the following projects:
1) Rutgers Cancer Institute of NJ (RCINJ)
2) RCINJ Parking Garage and Power Plant
3) Blanquita Valenti School aka 50 Jersey Avenue School
Yours faithfully,
Charlie Kratovil
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use deliver records electronically via email to the below UNIQUE address for all replies to this request:
[OPRA #25845 email]
Is [Middlesex County Improvement Authority request email] the wrong address for OPRA requests to Middlesex County Improvement Authority? If so, please contact us using this form:
https://opramachine.com/change_request/n...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
https://opramachine.com/help/officers
View this OPRA request & responses online:
https://opramachine.com/request/progress...
Please note that in some cases publication of requests and responses will be delayed.
If you find this service useful as an OPRA custodian, please ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's website.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello Ms. Rowan,
I am writing for an update on the Blanquita Valenti School construction
project, and I've copied the Board of Commissioners on this message. See
attached. While there is some work being done closer to the railroad
tracks, it is apparent that the location where the groundbreaking ceremony
occurred in May remains much the same as it was then. Additionally, the
"Environmental Investigation/Cleanup in Progress" sign that was posted in
August near Jersey Avenue and Hale Street has been removed.
In light of this, I must ask:
Is the environmental investigation/cleanup completed?
When was the soil excavation conducted and when was it completed?
You never responded after promising to follow up as a courtesy to me on
September 7. You said that you receive your information from the
developer and that it comes to you on a monthly basis. Yet you also still
have not answered my original questions from August 18:
Can you tell me how many truckloads of soil were removed, which
companies transported the soil, and where it was taken?
Also can you confirm whether there has been any "boring" done at the
site?
You said on August 18, "Allow me to get those details... I will provide
you an update upon receipt." Respectfully, why haven't you responded to
these questions? Is there someone else I should get my information from?
And please don't refer me to any private sector entities for answers. For
your information, DEVCO has been nonresponsive to all emailed inquiries
since March 31. The MCIA owes the people of New Brunswick nothing short
of full transparency regarding this and all redevelopment projects you
engage in.
Finally, Ms. Rowan, you have erroneously rejected my legally binding
request for records filed on September 10 with custodian of records Carol
Byrnes, who is also copied on this message. Respectfully, I would request
that you both reconsider the denial of that request, as the requested
records ought to be available to the public. Your avoidance of the
questions I've asked, coupled with your rejection of my legal request for
records, effectively renders the public and the press unable to obtain
basic information from the Middlesex County Improvement Authority
regarding the construction of a public school. I will retain counsel if
necessary and challenge this denial of access in Superior Court, but I
wanted to give you one more chance to reconsider. Please consider this
communication a formal request for you to reconsider the denial of the
OPRA request depicted
here: [1]https://opramachine.com/request/progress...
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Charlie Kratovil
Editor, New Brunswick Today
On Tue, Sep 7, 2021 at 12:51 PM Anne Rowan <[2][email address]> wrote:
Charlie:
Thank you so much for your correspondence. I will follow up with the
redeveloper as a courtesy to you to gain insight on your detailed
question. I appreciate your encouragement to visit the site.
Unfortunately, I will not be available to visit the site before our
meeting tomorrow.
I receive my information from the redeveloper on a monthly basis.
Sincerely,
Anne
From: Charlie Kratovil <[3][email address]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 7, 2021 12:22 PM
To: Anne Rowan <[4][email address]>
Cc: James Polos <[5][email address]>; Debra Acevedo
<[6][email address]>; [7][email address]
Subject: Re: 50 Jersey Avenue
Ms. Rowan,
Why did you promise to provide an update if the questions were not
within your purview? Referring questions to a private entity is not
satisfactory especially considering that private entity has not been
responsive to questions. Who should I be directing my questions to if
not you? Perhaps Mr. Wahler? Mr. Polos? Mr. Nolan?
Regarding the Blanquita Valenti School construction project, you stated
at the last board meeting that excavation of the site at 50 Jersey
Avenue was completed in July - I'll be blunt: I don't think that was
true. Where did you get this information? Have you visited the site?
I respectfully encourage you to visit the site and have a
correction/clarification ready for tomorrow's meeting of the Board of
Commissioners.
Thanks,
Charlie Kratovil
On Wed, Sep 1, 2021 at 8:31 AM Anne Rowan <[8][email address]>
wrote:
Hi Charlie,
Good morning -
I hope you are doing well.
As the redevelopment entity, the MCIA’s responsibility is to ensure
compliance with project schedule landmark and milestones. It is not in
our purview to attain these specifications. You may inquire with the
redeveloper directly for this information.
Sincerely,
Anne
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 31, 2021, at 11:36 PM, Charlie Kratovil
<[9][email address]> wrote:
Hello Ms. Rowan,
On August 18, I asked you questions in reference to your statements
made one week earlier at a meeting of the MCIA Board of
Commissioners meeting. You said you would provide an update, but I
have not heard from you since then. I followed up on August 26, but
did not receive a response. When might I expect a response to my
questions about excavation and boring?
Charlie
On Thu, Aug 26, 2021 at 2:51 PM Charlie Kratovil
<[10][email address]> wrote:
Hi Ms. Rowan,
Following up on this inquiry.
Charlie
On Wed, Aug 18, 2021 at 12:05 PM Anne Rowan
<[11][email address]> wrote:
Good Afternoon, Charlie:
Sure, allow me to get those details for you. I will provide you
an update upon receipt.
Sincerely,
Anne
Sent from my iPhone
> On Aug 18, 2021, at 11:44 AM, Charlie Kratovil
<[12][email address]> wrote:
>
>
> Hi Ms. Rowan,
> Hope you're doing well. I just wanted to ask about the
progress of construction at 50 Jersey Avenue. You mentioned
that the excavation was complete. Can you tell me how many
truckloads of soil were removed, which companies transported the
soil, and where it was taken?
>
> Also can you confirm whether there has been any "boring" done
at the site?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Charlie Kratovil
References
Visible links
1. https://opramachine.com/request/progress...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[email address]
5. mailto:[email address]
6. mailto:[email address]
7. mailto:[email address]
8. mailto:[email address]
9. mailto:[email address]
10. mailto:[email address]
11. mailto:[email address]
12. mailto:[email address]
Hi Charlie:
I hope you are doing well. Thank you for your e-mail.
As a demonstration of good faith and in response to your correspondence
below, please consider the attachments as a formal response to your opra
request.
Furthermore, your detailed questions outlined below are not a component of
the Authority’s monitoring obligation. Therefore, we do not have the
information pertaining to the environmental investigation, cleanup, or
borings conducted on the site. You may inquire with DEP as they are the
entity involved with soil regulations. The Authority does not monitor the
means and methods of construction. You may also consider using New
Brunswick’s Building department as an entity to gain more information
regarding these details.
We look forward to your attendance at the meeting in a few minutes.
Sincerely,
Anne
From: Charlie Kratovil <[email address]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2021 4:33 PM
To: Anne Rowan <[email address]>
Cc: James Polos <[email address]>; Debra Acevedo
<[email address]>; [email address]; [email address];
[email address]; [email address]; Carol
Byrnes <[Middlesex County Improvement Authority request email]>;
[OPRA #25845 email]
Subject: Re: 50 Jersey Avenue
Hello Ms. Rowan,
I am writing for an update on the Blanquita Valenti School construction
project, and I've copied the Board of Commissioners on this message. See
attached. While there is some work being done closer to the railroad
tracks, it is apparent that the location where the groundbreaking ceremony
occurred in May remains much the same as it was then. Additionally, the
"Environmental Investigation/Cleanup in Progress" sign that was posted in
August near Jersey Avenue and Hale Street has been removed.
In light of this, I must ask:
Is the environmental investigation/cleanup completed?
When was the soil excavation conducted and when was it completed?
You never responded after promising to follow up as a courtesy to me on
September 7. You said that you receive your information from the
developer and that it comes to you on a monthly basis. Yet you also still
have not answered my original questions from August 18:
Can you tell me how many truckloads of soil were removed, which
companies transported the soil, and where it was taken?
Also can you confirm whether there has been any "boring" done at the
site?
You said on August 18, "Allow me to get those details... I will provide
you an update upon receipt." Respectfully, why haven't you responded to
these questions? Is there someone else I should get my information from?
And please don't refer me to any private sector entities for answers. For
your information, DEVCO has been nonresponsive to all emailed inquiries
since March 31. The MCIA owes the people of New Brunswick nothing short
of full transparency regarding this and all redevelopment projects you
engage in.
Finally, Ms. Rowan, you have erroneously rejected my legally binding
request for records filed on September 10 with custodian of records Carol
Byrnes, who is also copied on this message. Respectfully, I would request
that you both reconsider the denial of that request, as the requested
records ought to be available to the public. Your avoidance of the
questions I've asked, coupled with your rejection of my legal request for
records, effectively renders the public and the press unable to obtain
basic information from the Middlesex County Improvement Authority
regarding the construction of a public school. I will retain counsel if
necessary and challenge this denial of access in Superior Court, but I
wanted to give you one more chance to reconsider. Please consider this
communication a formal request for you to reconsider the denial of the
OPRA request depicted
here: [1]https://link.edgepilot.com/s/cdec5a5b/ZD...
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Charlie Kratovil
Editor, New Brunswick Today
On Tue, Sep 7, 2021 at 12:51 PM Anne Rowan <[2][email address]> wrote:
Charlie:
Thank you so much for your correspondence. I will follow up with the
redeveloper as a courtesy to you to gain insight on your detailed
question. I appreciate your encouragement to visit the site.
Unfortunately, I will not be available to visit the site before our
meeting tomorrow.
I receive my information from the redeveloper on a monthly basis.
Sincerely,
Anne
From: Charlie Kratovil <[3][email address]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 7, 2021 12:22 PM
To: Anne Rowan <[4][email address]>
Cc: James Polos <[5][email address]>; Debra Acevedo
<[6][email address]>; [7][email address]
Subject: Re: 50 Jersey Avenue
Ms. Rowan,
Why did you promise to provide an update if the questions were not
within your purview? Referring questions to a private entity is not
satisfactory especially considering that private entity has not been
responsive to questions. Who should I be directing my questions to if
not you? Perhaps Mr. Wahler? Mr. Polos? Mr. Nolan?
Regarding the Blanquita Valenti School construction project, you stated
at the last board meeting that excavation of the site at 50 Jersey
Avenue was completed in July - I'll be blunt: I don't think that was
true. Where did you get this information? Have you visited the site?
I respectfully encourage you to visit the site and have a
correction/clarification ready for tomorrow's meeting of the Board of
Commissioners.
Thanks,
Charlie Kratovil
On Wed, Sep 1, 2021 at 8:31 AM Anne Rowan <[8][email address]>
wrote:
Hi Charlie,
Good morning -
I hope you are doing well.
As the redevelopment entity, the MCIA’s responsibility is to ensure
compliance with project schedule landmark and milestones. It is not in
our purview to attain these specifications. You may inquire with the
redeveloper directly for this information.
Sincerely,
Anne
Sent from my iPhone
On Aug 31, 2021, at 11:36 PM, Charlie Kratovil
<[9][email address]> wrote:
Hello Ms. Rowan,
On August 18, I asked you questions in reference to your statements
made one week earlier at a meeting of the MCIA Board of
Commissioners meeting. You said you would provide an update, but I
have not heard from you since then. I followed up on August 26, but
did not receive a response. When might I expect a response to my
questions about excavation and boring?
Charlie
On Thu, Aug 26, 2021 at 2:51 PM Charlie Kratovil
<[10][email address]> wrote:
Hi Ms. Rowan,
Following up on this inquiry.
Charlie
On Wed, Aug 18, 2021 at 12:05 PM Anne Rowan
<[11][email address]> wrote:
Good Afternoon, Charlie:
Sure, allow me to get those details for you. I will provide you
an update upon receipt.
Sincerely,
Anne
Sent from my iPhone
> On Aug 18, 2021, at 11:44 AM, Charlie Kratovil
<[12][email address]> wrote:
>
>
> Hi Ms. Rowan,
> Hope you're doing well. I just wanted to ask about the
progress of construction at 50 Jersey Avenue. You mentioned
that the excavation was complete. Can you tell me how many
truckloads of soil were removed, which companies transported the
soil, and where it was taken?
>
> Also can you confirm whether there has been any "boring" done
at the site?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Charlie Kratovil
Links contained in this email have been replaced. If you click on a link
in the email above, the link will be analyzed for known threats. If a
known threat is found, you will not be able to proceed to the destination.
If suspicious content is detected, you will see a warning.
References
Visible links
1. https://link.edgepilot.com/s/cdec5a5b/ZD...
2. mailto:[email address]
3. mailto:[email address]
4. mailto:[email address]
5. mailto:[email address]
6. mailto:[email address]
7. mailto:[email address]
8. mailto:[email address]
9. mailto:[email address]
10. mailto:[email address]
11. mailto:[email address]
12. mailto:[email address]