FMERPA takes care of business BY LINDA DeNICOLA Staff Writer TINTON FALLS - At the 16th Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority (FMERPA) meeting, members authorized the director to enter into a lease for a permanent office space. The authority also approved two new hires, an administrative assistant and a project manager at the meeting, held in the Tinton Falls Municipal Building on Tinton Avenue. Frank Cosentino, executive director of FMERPA, noted that the space now leased is temporary and that, after an extensive search, the authority is hoping to get a new, permanent lease very soon. He said the new office would be located on Corbett Way, on the west side of Route 35 in Eatontown. The office space was identified for the authority by the state Department of the Treasury based upon a request by Cosentino. The landlord is the Donato Group, which is authorized by the Treasury to offer space leases to a state agency such as FMERPA. The term of the lease for the 3,150-square-foot rental space is five years with one three-year option. The rental rate is $22 per square foot plus utilities for the next two years, but is subject to incremental increases over the next three years. Cosentino explained that the space is an existing office so there are only minor modifications needed. "We should be in by the end of August," he said. Eatontown Mayor Gerald Tarantolo joked that he is pleased that the authority is filling space in Eatontown. Jeanne Gannon, of Atlantic Highlands, was hired as administrative assistant. She replaces a previous administrative assistant. Cosentino said hiring Gannon will take a great burden off Kathryn Verrochi, secretary to the authority. Gannon's annual salary is not to exceed $40,000. In addition to Gannon, Cosentino announced that after culling through 25 resumes, the job of project manager was offered to Diane Canterbury, an Oceanport resident. The authority approved her hiring so she will begin on or about Aug. 6 at an annual salary of $65,000. Canterbury was in the audience. Cosentino said to her, "Your work is waiting for you."