MAYOR DELUCA AND THE DEVELOPER: THE EMAILS

Mayor Vic Deluca

As JMF Properties puts the final touches on its three-story, housing/retail project at the former Maplewood Village post office site, internal emails between Mayor Vic Deluca and JMF CEO Joe Forgione offer an interesting look at the negotiations that brought the controversial project to fruition.

Through an Open Pubic Records Act request, Maplewoodian.com obtained numerous emails between Deluca and Forgione dating back to 2014, when the Cedar Knolls firm was chosen to develop the project into the 20-apartment, five-retail shop project it has become.   

Developer Joe Forgione

The correspondence reveal how Deluca balanced efforts to help JMF traverse the often lengthy approvals and review processes that were required for the multi-million dollar project, but also stand firm on Township limits for some of the initial height and sidewalk requests.

Deluca is seen in the emails as guiding Forgione in ways that sought to make the project a success, but also demand that the developer follow procedures and avoid any proposals that would hurt the Township's overall image and needs.

Forgione, meanwhile, appears in some spots willing to change plans to fit into the Township's needs, but in other areas complaining about approval delays and even contending the project will help the village.

For example, in a Jan. 10, 2015 email, Deluca tells Forgione he should not seek to fight the sidewalk limitation requirements, that doing so "would not be in the best interests of the project." Forgione appears to confirm agreement.

In another case, from just a few days later, the mayor advises that Forgione not seek to go above the height limit, noting opposition could mean this "amazing project will go away," adding, "I have seen great projects get lost at the starting gate because the well is too poisoned."

Forgione's response: "I agree this could become a circus."

Later, in April 2015 after some local residents ask that famed architect and Maplewoodian Richard Meier review the project and offer ideas, Deluca urged Forgione to engage in a meeting, stating, "the controversey of this project is still a concern," adding that taking a meeting will allow Forgione to "benefit from his views and suggestions." The developer later agreed and the meeting occurred.

 In another email from May 2015, Deluca points out that the JMF plan does not deal properly with Kings' trucks that use the Ricalton Square parking area to back into the store's loading dock. He says, in part: "you need to get together with the Kings guy and deal with this on site."

A week later on May 12, the mayor emails Forgione with a note stating that a second raised sidewalk is not a good idea, adding that Meier had also stated this. Deluca states clearly that "I have to feel comfortable that what we are building is in the best interests of the community." Forgione appeared not happy with the ideas, stating, "this is beyond reaching," and "why are we doing this?"

Earlier that year, on Jan. 21, 2015, Deluca takes issue with Forgione's initial plans that reduced parking by too much:

Deluca's angriest email to Forgione might have been the Jan. 31, 2016 message sent after JMF closed a portion of the sidewalk next to the project without approval. "What the hell is going on," the mayor demands?

A few days earlier, when JMF was advised that it had to clear snow from its area after a snowfall, Forgione appeared to complain about approvals, stating, "why is everyone so angry, can't win." He also snapped, "How about the residents calling (Planning Board consultant Robert) Bratt and saying get the dam plans signed so the guy can start building before the spring."

Then, of course, there is the Jan. 27, 2015 email in which Deluca asks Forgione, "Did you pray today?" His retort: "everyday, and I will again."