Residents Hire Attorney To Fight Center Of Excellence Project

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A group of residents opposed to the Center of Excellence project set for the now-vacant 100-plus acre Sanofi-Aventis property on Route 202/206 hired an attorney Monday night.

Erik Frins from Simon Law Group in Somerville was retained by Crystal Fresco and a group of Bridgewater residents who are against the project that proposes to bring a hotel, supermarket, fitness/wellness center, restaurants with outdoor dining, around 400 luxury apartment units and boutiques.

"I was literally hired today," Frins said at the Monday night Bridgewater Planning Board meeting. "I was just hired today at 3:30, 4 p.m."

Frins pleaded with the board to hold the application open until November to give him time to research the case more.

"I understand the inconvenience to everyone here but I wouldn't be doing my job to best represent my client."

Frins' request was denied. However, due to lengthy public comments and lack of time the meeting ended up being extended to Tuesday night. The Tuesday night meeting was then cancelled due to insufficient notice. (See Related: Controversial Video Unveiled On Bridgewater's Rt. 202/206 Project)

Fresco's husband Andy has set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money to be paid toward attorney fees to fight this development. The page has raised $675 so far of its $15,000 goal.

"We need your help to fight the developers," the GoFundMe page stated. "What is your community worth? How much damage will this project do to our town, our home values, our schools and our roads?"

For more information on the GoFundMe or to donate visit gofundme.com/f/StopTheCOE.

The next meeting on the CIP II/AR Bridgewater Holdings LLC's application will be held on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Courtroom at 100 Commons Way in Bridgewater.

At the Nov. 12 meeting, the applicant's materials expert will continued to be questioned by the public followed by an environmental consultant who will speak on the issues on Benzene on the property.

The consultant was hired by the township to look into the chemical issues, Councilman Howard Norgalis said.

The applicant is looking to build two sections on the property. The front portion or the retail and commercial zone near Route 202/206 is projected to encompass plans of building a hotel, supermarket, fitness/wellness center, restaurants with outdoor dining, around 400 luxury apartment units and boutiques. This has been called one of the largest developments in township's history since the Bridgewater Commons mall.

The back portion is set as a research and development zone that includes businesses such as Nestle.

If you missed Monday's meeting you can watch it in its entirety below. The video is split in two portions:

• See Related: Largest Development in Bridgewater's History Proposed
• Related: Bridgewater Approves Plan For Possibly Largest Redevelopment Plan in Township's History
• Related: Bridgewater Officials Argue Over Center Of Excellence Project

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.