August 25, 2025, Planning Board Special Meeting Transcript - WEHI

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 84 MS. MCGOVERN: Would you please state your name and spell you last name. THE WITNESS: Sure. Michele Simone, B-Y-E-R-S. M I C H E L E S I M O N E B Y E R S, having been duly sworn under oath testifies as follows: MR. AFRAN: Ms. Byers, I understand you had been the executive director of the New Jersey -- I need to qualify you. I understand you have been the New Jersey executive director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, is that correct? THE WITNESS: Yes. MR. AFRAN: How many years did you hold that position? THE WITNESS: 20. MR. AFRAN: When did you retire? THE WITNESS: 2021. MR. AFRAN: 2021. And I also understand you had served term or terms on the State Planning Commission? THE WITNESS: Yes. For 20 years I was vice chair of the New Jersey State Planning Commission under Governor Whitman and Governor Florio. MR. AFRAN: In your professional work, what role did the preservation of land play in the work you