The purpose of this letter is to reiterate the unqualified opposition of the Township Committee, the residents of Freehold Township and surrounding communities to the possibility of a waste transfer station being inappropriately located in the township of Free-hold.
As [our federal representatives] are aware, federal legislation adopted in 1995 contained an unintended loophole. This loophole provided that railroads can extend onto private property, and whatever is built on that property is exempt from local and state regulations.
All that it takes to build a waste transfer station is an exemption granted by the Surface Transportation Board (STB). We are all aware that legislation is being drafted which would close this unintended loophole. However, our concern is that the STB will grant the exemption prior to the new legislation being adopted. In that case, the residents of central New Jersey would have “won the battle, but lost the war.”
On behalf of the residents of western Monmouth County, we respectfully request that the STB not be permitted to grant an exemption to Ashland Rail-road.
We sincerely appreciate [our federal representatives’] continued attention to our serious concerns, and stand ready to assist in any way they deem necessary.
Dorothy H. Avallone
Mayor
Freehold Township