I’ve been involved in the Middlesex-Ocean-Monmouth (MOM) [rail line] study since I received a copy of the original study from July 1998 in August 1998. I represent the borough of Matawan on transit matters, and have been a member of the Monmouth County Transpor-tation Council since its inception in November 1972. In April 1983, I was appointed to NJ Transit’s North Advisory Committee and, except for a gap of 18 months, I’ve been a member ever since.
As far as Matawan goes, we are dead set against revival of the connection to Freehold, which was cut off April 1974.
The Highlands [connection] was cut off in October 1973. One reason (for the opposition) right now is that the Freehold connection would hit the present Aber-deen-Matawan station right in the center of the present station with its high-level platforms. The (proposed) track also runs within 6 feet of the present Matawan Regional High School athletic field.
Furthermore, the study of July 1998 notes that it is detrimental when a grade crossing is created — well, at least five would be possible, and possibly more within Freehold and another four within Matawan.
Then there are a number of roads between Route 79 and Route 34 in the interim areas.
I worked with a large group of Marlboro residents whose rear properties backed up to the rail line. Their septic tank fields backed up to the track, and the vibrations from the diesel locomotives would seriously affect those fields. Real estate agents also assured them the rail line would never be revived.
At the scoping session held in Freehold at the end of December last year, virtually every speaker, except two, recommended Monmouth Junction as the final destination for the line.
State Sen. Peter A. Inverso (R-14) was one who recommended Matawan, which puzzles me. He represents an area in Middlesex along Route 33 that is almost totally devoid of any form of public transportation for most of its length, from Freehold to Monmouth Junction. The large development near Hightstown is the first really populous community along Route 33 going west.
Peter J. Koelsch
Matawan