By Sophia Gonzalez
Staff Writer | Posted Feb. 5, 6:46 p.m.

Cresskill — Business owners met last week in a preliminary step to form the first Cresskill Chamber of Commerce.

"The mayor asked that I get the ball rolling, so I’ll let you know how the ball has rolled," said leader Mike Hamlett, owner of Image Ink Associates, 39 Pierce Ave.

Mayor Benedict Romeo encouraged business owners at the Jan. 23 Forward a Forward Planning Committee Meeting to create a Chamber of Commerce in light of the new downtown development projects.

Hamlett, a member of the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce, said that Borough Attorney Robert Quinn petitioned the state to secure legal, non-profit status for the chamber. But before becoming official, a board of trustees and elected body of officers must also be selected, Hamlett said.

"A chamber of commerce puts faces on businesses," added Hamlett, outlining a chamber’s purpose and role. "And it provides one voice to the town so we can organize if we don’t agree on something."

A list of potential advantages includes compiling a bulk mailing list, securing general liability insurance and organizing town-wide events.

Ranging from dog groomers to dentists, the 25 business owners shared their complaints with parking, signage regulations and inability to secure information from the borough.

"I don’t want my store to look like yours, getting lost in the shuffle," said one business owner, disturbed by the idea of a homogenous downtown.

Hamlett said that a chamber of commerce would be a viable answer to all their concerns — by opening communication channels with local officials and establishing subcommittees.

"We’ve got to make it work as a whole and then we will all reap the benefits," Hamlett reminded the crowd. "Numbers are our strength."

The next meeting, which the mayor will attend, is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.