Basking Ridge To Create Quarry Advisory Task Force

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The Bernards Township Committee is looking to create a Quarry Advisory Task Force for the controversial Millington Quarry, Inc. (MQI) property on Stonehouse Road.

A draft resolution to create a task force will be discussed during a public session at the Bernards Township Committee's Tuesday night meeting.

This new resolution comes after residents spoke out against a controversial quarry redevelopment concept plan and new zoning proposal for the property that called for a hotel, housing, restaurants, retail stores, a farm and a lake. (See Related: Residents Not Happy With Proposed Quarry Plan In Basking Ridge)

The opposition from residents stemmed from concerns of contamination and over development. Residents even formed a Stop The Quarry Plan (STQP) group to oppose the plans. The township committee ended up rejecting the plan last January as a result. (See Related: Basking Ridge Rejects Quarry Plan)

The future of the property is still in question but to help keep residents informed and up to date on the progress, the township is planning on forming a task force.

The task force will be consist of the following, appointed for a one-year term expiring on Dec. 31:

• Mayor/Mayor’s Designee
• Up to three resident members
• Township Engineer

The Quarry Advisory Task Force duties include:

1. Review and report back to the Township Committee with their findings, any concerns, and recommendations, regarding MQI’s compliance with implementing the last approved plan — the 2011 Millington Quarry Rehabilitation Plan.
2. Further review the property’s environmental condition, documentation, and status, and make appropriate recommendations to the Township Committee in one or more reports on or before Oct. 1, and the Township Committee may pursue outside professionals for technical input.
3. Advise on remediation status and all other Department of Environmental Protection filings in this matter, the governing statutes, regulations, and ordinances.

To view the entire proposed draft resolution of the Quarry Advisory Task Force click here.

The Bernards Township Committee Meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Bernards Township Municipal Building, Warren Craft Meeting Room, 1 Collyer Ln., Basking Ridge.

(Image via PowerPoint presentation of the former Quarry Redevelopment Plan in 2018)

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.