Lower Milford Zoning Hearing Board Hears Testimony

The Lower Milford Township Zoning Hearing Board heard additional information April 27 concerning the proposed quarry at W. Mill Hill and Buhman roads.  Here are the key points from the meeting:

• Over a dozen-and-a-half people heard testimony from Geryville Materials Inc., Lower Milford Township and the Residents’ Association.
• Stephen Harris, attorney for Geryville Materials, attempted to discredit Val Britton, witness for the township, in a continuance from the March 23 meeting.  Britton is a hydrogeologist with NTH Consultants of Exton (Chester County).
• Harris presented a 2008 report from the state Environmental Hearing Board that he said showed seven findings where Britton’s models did not calibrate properly.
• He also presented a report from the federal Environmental Protection Agency that he said found several flaws in Britton’s previous models.
• Patrick Armstrong, attorney for the Residents’ Association, then tried to re-establish Britton’s credibility with the board.
• Briton stated some of the testing done on the property by EarthRes Group was done incorrectly.  He disagreed with Harris and said the EPA did approve the use of his previous models.
• When questioning concluded, Mark Cappuccio, township solicitor, presented the next witness – Mark Gallagher, vice president of Princeton Hydro in New Jersey.
• Gallagher stated the quarry project, if it proceeds, will definitely cause problems.  Any changes made at the headwaters, he said, can drastically change area wetlands.

The meeting was continued until 6:30pm May 25.