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PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Parks and Forestry
Notice of Public Hearings on Proposed Long-Term Lease
Ringwood State Park, Borough of Ringwood, Passaic County

Take Notice that in accordance with N.J.S.A. 13:1D-51 through -58, the State of New Jersey, Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry, will hold two public hearings to seek comments on the proposed extension of the lease of Skylands Manor and Chapel to Mansion Caterers, Inc. from a term of 20 years to a term of 30 years. Skylands Manor and the Chapel are located on Block 1000, Lot 2 in Ringwood State Park in the Borough of Ringwood, Passaic County. The street address for the park is Ringwood State Park, Sloatsburg Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456.

In 2004, the DEP entered into a 20-year lease with Mansion Caterers, Inc, for the improvement, maintenance, and operation of a catering facility at Skylands Manor; the restoration, renovation, furnishing, maintenance, operation and use of Skylands Manor as a bed and breakfast/conference center; and the operation and scheduling of the Chapel for religious and non-religious ceremonies. As compensation for the lease, the State currently receives $100,000/year plus a percentage of total gross revenue for the use of the facilities, along with in-kind services in the form of extensive renovations, improvements and maintenance of the facilities. The proceeds from the lease are returned to the park for parkland renovations and improvements.

Mansion Caterers was the sole bidder in an open competitive bid process conducted by the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Parks and Forestry in 1998, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 13:1L-6a. State House Commission approval is required for this agreement under N.J.S.A. 13:1D-51 et seq. To date, Mansion Caterers has invested approximately Two Million Dollars in renovations to the catering facility and the bed and breakfast/conference center. Under the terms of the lease, Mansion Caterers was solely responsible for the renovations to the bed and breakfast, although the renovations were done in consultation with DEP and received the approval of the State Historic Preservation Office. Due to this substantial investment in Skylands Manor, Mansion Caterers has requested a longer term lease.

If approved by the State House Commission, the Department will immediately enter into a 30-year lease term agreement.

The first public hearing on the proposed lease will be held on:

August 22, 2008 at 3:00 pm @ the
Skylands Manor, Ringwood State Park
1304 Sloatsburg Road
Ringwood, New Jersey 07456
973-962-7031

The hearing record for the first public hearing will close on September 5, 2008. Interested persons may obtain information from Marci D. Green, Office of Leases at the address below and may submit written comments to Ms. Green up to the close of business on September 5, 2008.

The second public hearing on the proposed lease will be held on:

September 8, 2008 at 3:00 pm @ the
Department of Environmental Protection
3rd Floor Conference Room
501 E. State Street
Trenton, New Jersey 08625

The hearing record for the second public hearing will close on September 22, 2008. Interested persons may obtain information from Marci D. Green, Office of Leases at the address below and may submit written comments to Ms. Green until the close of business on September 8, 2008.

Persons wishing to make oral presentations at either of the public hearings are asked to bring a written copy of their comments to the hearing for use by the Department. For further information on the proposal, please contact:

Marci D. Green, Administrator
Department of Environmental Protection
Natural and Historic Resources
Office of Leases
501 E. State Street, PO Box 404
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0404
609-633-7575

Lisa P. Jackson, Commissioner
Department of Environmental Protection