Monroe mine shuts its doors

Closing will lessen evironmental pollution, says Commission.

By: Al Wicklund
MONROE — Gravel and sand mines — once considered a large problem for many Monroe Township residents — went from two mines to one when the Pine Hill-Buck mine on Spotswood-Englishtown Road ceased operation May 15, Township Engineer Ernie Feist said Wednesday.
   The Pine Hill-Buck tract will be part of the site of the Toll Brothers’ Regency development.
   With the end of Pine Hill, the last open-pit mine in Monroe Township is the Stavola Co.’s on South River-Cranbury Road, said Mr. Feist.
   Former Councilwoman Lee Farber, who has been involved in the struggle to control the mining operations since she became chairwoman of the Environmental Commission in 1988, said she was delighted to hear of the mine’s closing.
   Ms. Farber said that 15 years ago there were eight mines being worked in the township.
   "We had hundreds of trucks coming and going in the township. It was an environmental disaster," she said.
   Ms. Farber said that when she was on the council she used to give monthly reports on the truckloads of gravel, clay and sand being taken from the township.
   She said the mining operations were seriously detrimental to the quality of many residents’ lives with heavy truck traffic and blankets of dust in the area of the mines.
   They also were a problem for the Monroe Township Police Department, which had to deal with trucks backed up outside the mine gates each morning waiting to get in, load up and get back on the road.
   "I’m truly pleased with the passing of the mines and so should other township residents," Ms. Farber said.