Audio: Township Not Keen On County Waste Plan

The Township Committee’s workshop meeting on Wednesday was a light affair, ending just more than 35 minutes after it started. The full audio of the meeting is attached to this report. Here are some highlights:

Township Administrator Joe Verruni addressed the Monmouth County Wastewater Management Plan and the creation of a multi-town planning authority concerned with Wreck Pond Brook.

The township was not enamored with either plan, according to Verruni.

The state is asking the township to pass a resolution in favor of the county wastewater plan, which establishes how sewage treatment is allocated to different parcels, Verruni said.

But that plan, he said, neglects several properties in town and the township in not necessarily in favor of it.

“We believe they’re taking away a lot of valuable pieces of property in Wall Township,’’ Verruni said. “We’re not entirely committed to the wastewater management plan.’’

Verruni also discussed the creation of a regional planning commission concerned with any development at would put effluent into the Wreck Pond Brook.

The commission – comprised of Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Sea Girt and Wall – would have authority over development in all the municipalities as it relates to development affecting Wreck Pond Brook, Verruni said.

“While that’s a noble cause, we don’t want – and I’m sure the other municipalities don’t’ want – other towns telling them what to do in their town,’’ he said.

However, if Wall does not join, there is a possibility that the state could take it over, assuring  Wall’s authority would be usurped, Verruni said.

So Verruni recommended that Wall does join this new commission, but with the caveat that any decisions of the panel must be unanimous in order to be valid.

“We don’t want to put any undue burden on any taxpayers of Wall Township for any unnecessary items,’’ said Deputy Mayor Jeff Foster, who ran the meeting for the absent Mayor Ann Marie Conte. “That’s our main concern.’’