Manalapan Pigs Might Not Be Gone For Good

MANALAPAN, NJ-- Developer Joe Spano might have removed the pigs from his Route 33 property less than a day after they arrived, but that doesn't mean they're never coming back.

"The pigs were removed Wednesday because I got a call from the contract purchaser of the property, Mr. Cardinale, who asked me to do so as he sought to discuss a new proposal with the town and the town was conditioning that discussion on the removal of the pigs," Spano told Patch. Spano was not able to say what Cardinale's new proposal might be.

The Township Attorney, Roger McLaughlin, had cancelled a meeting with Cardinale, and said there would be no more discussion on the property until the pigs were gone, MoreMonmouthMusings reported.

The pigs farm was originally proposed for the property after other proposals, including shopping centers and affordable housing, were denied by the township following fierce public backlash.

Spano said the move to pig farming was motivated solely on his need to pay his mortgage.

“There’s no ill intent — that’s the thing that irks me, that I’ve heard through the grapevine, that I’m trying to be vindictive,” Spano told said.

Spano was originally hesitant to remove the pigs, telling Patch, "I indicated to [Cardinale] that I needed to go forward with my plans as his plans have been continually foiled and I am under pressure by my lender to convert the farm to a much higher revenue venture."

According to Spano, Cardinale then rephrased the request as a personal favor, and Spano acquiesced. "He is my friend and has done many kindnesses for me over the past ten years; how could I deny his request?" Spano said.

When asked if the Notice of Violation issued to him from the Township was a factor in removing the pigs, Spano told Patch it was "not at all" part of his decision. The pigs have been relocated to an associate's farm for the time being.

Although Spano is giving Cardinale's new proposal a chance, that does not mean his pig farming days are over.

"That said, yes, I do plan to go forward with my own plans should Mr. Cardinale fail," Spano said.

Image via liz west, flickr