Yaede seeks more economic advisors
HAMILTON >> Mayor Kelly Yaede wants to bolster her team of economic advisors as the township anticipates an increase in construction activity this year.
The Republican mayor on Wednesday announced she is nominating former Trenton councilman Gino Melone to serve on the Hamilton Township Economic Development Advisory Commission.
Melone served as Trenton’s East Ward council rep from 1994 to 2010 and has been a longtimecivic leaderandpublic servant for the region. Currently a Hamilton resident, Melone works for the Mercer County Division of Consumer Affairsandserves on theMercerCountyBoardof Taxation, according to a press release issued by Yaede’s office.
“Gino’s experience in working with and assisting local businesses will be valuable asset to our Economic Development Advisory Commission,” Yaede said in the news release. “Throughout his career, Gino has been committed to public service and active in working to contribute to, and improve, our community.”
Last week, Yaede nominated Hamilton Area YMCA communications director Gretchen DiMarco to serve on the Economic Development Advisory Commission.
DiMarco is the proverbial architect behind the Hamilton Area YMCA’s marketing communications plan and manages thenonprofit’s grant program. Prior to joining the YMCA, DiMarco worked for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as a bureaucrat who had organized special events and helped coordinate agency partnerships with community-based nonprofit organizations, according to the Yaede administration.
“Gretchen’s experienceand professionalism in working with businesses and community stakeholders, combined with her background in advertising management and communications, will be of great benefit to our efforts to promote economicopportunities across our township and capitalize upon our local tourismpotential,” Yaede said in a statement.
Last month, Yaede nominated Campbell Soup business operations manager David T. Walsh to serve on the township’s economic commission. HamiltonCouncilon Tuesday consented to Walsh’s appointment.
Walsh has 18 years of experience in managing supply chains for various companies across the Northeast United States and a Master of Business Administration in finance from Seton Hall University, according to the Yaede administration.
Walsh’s résumé impressed Hamilton Democrat Vinnie Capodanno, so much so that Capodannoat Tuesday’s council meeting told the council members he believes Walsh “would have been a great pick” to serve as director of the Hamilton Township Department of Technology and Economic Development.
Hamilton Township’s Economic Development Advisory Commission recognizes up-and-comingbusinesses, offers information, insight and advice to themayor regarding economic issuesandhostsannual job fairs that connect local jobseekers with potential employers. The commission had eightmembership vacancies prior toHamiltonCouncil giving the OK to Walsh’s appointment.
Yaede’s 2016 proposed municipal budget indicates she expects the township will collect $2.5 million in uniform construction code fees this year from robust constructionactivity in this40-squaremile township. The township could feasibly end up collecting more than $2.5 million in UCC fees if economic growth is sustained.
The township last year expected to receive $2.33 million inUCC feeswhen it finalized its 2015 municipal budget last spring, but by the end of 2015, the township ended up realizing a cool $2.51 million in UCC fees, according to township budget figures.