Independent’s top stories of 2011

1. Ill wind blows for BRSA turbine The Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority ran into opposition on its plan to erect a 386- foot-tall ind ustrial wind turbine at its facility in Union Beach. The latest wrinkle is the concern among towns that would host the transport of the 200 tons of turbine components about possible damage to roads and infrastructure. The transport must be approved by five municipalities andMonmouth County. Opposition centers on the effects of the wind turbine on public safety, health, impact on wildlife and property values. While state agencies have approved plans for the turbine and its transport, oral arguments are expected this month in the borough of Union Beach’s lawsuit challenging BRSA’s condemnation of a parcel of land necessary to clear the way for construction of the wind turbine. (Feb. 3, 10, 17, March 10, April 21, May 5, Aug. 25, Sept. 22, Oct. 13, 27, and Dec. 29, 8).

2. Future of Alcatel-Lucent tract in flux; Holmdel fights DEP’s sewer plan

More than five years after Alcatel Lucent vacated the former Bell Labs property in Holmdel, the 472- acre site remains vacant. The Township Committee recently unveiled a redevelopment plan for the site that calls for mixed uses and athletic facilities.

The township action followed a breakdown in negotiations between Alcatel-Lucent and Somerset Development, which proposed a mixed-use plan for the iconic 2 million square-foot building with no more than 30 homes on the site. Unhappy with the township’s actions, Alcatel-Lucent effectively blocked approval of the redevelopment plan through a formal protest.

Adding to concerns about the redevelopment, the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) revealed a regional Wastewater Management Plan (WMP) that proposes extending sewer lines to the entire tract as well as at the PNC Bank Arts Center. The plan is opposed by the township and residents who claim it would open the door to large-scale housing development. (Feb. 24, May 12, June 16, 23, Nov. 10, 23, Dec. 8, 15, 22).

3. Brookdale president steps down Brookdale Community College President Peter Burnham retired in March just before charges that he abused the office of president became public. Irked by an increase in tuition, Freeholder John Curley reviewed the college budget and said he had uncovered excessive perks provided to Burnham, including generous vehicle and housing allowances as well as college tuition for Burnham’s two children. An interim president was named amid calls for the resignation of the board of trustees. Board President Howard Birdsall resigned soon after. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the Office of the State Comptroller began independent investigations. In April, the trustees voted to sue Burnham for funds due to the college. The board also cited Brookdale Chief Financial Officer George Fehr for failure to enforce established policies and placed him on unpaid leave. (March 10, April 21, 28, May 12, June 9).

4. Ten years after, Middletown remembers

In a somber ceremony on the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks, Middletown honored the 37 residents lost on Sept. 11, 2001. At a ceremony at the Memorial Gardens, township officials and dignitaries spoke about the way the community came together in the wake of the attacks. In September, representatives from the Middletown Township Police Department took part in the 280-mile Tour de Force, a bicycle ride from the World Trade Center site to Washington, D.C. One of the residents lost on 9/11, Port Authority Police Officer Kenneth Tietjen, has inspired a legacy through the foundation begun by his sister, Laurie. The township collected funds to finance more than 80 banners that now hang throughout Middletown bearing a simple statement: “Middletown remembers.” (Sept. 8, 15). 5. Matawan demotes police chief; Alston claims retaliation

Matawan Police Chief James Alston was demoted to the rank of lieutenant in July after a yearlong suspension and series of disciplinary hearings. His attorney, David Corrigan, filed a complaint on Alston’s behalf, seeking his rei nstatement and claiming the move was retaliation for a discrimination lawsuit brought by Alston against the borough in 2009. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) found in Alston’s favor in June. In the complaint, it was revealed that Alston’s original disciplinary charges stemmed from an October 2009 incident whereAlston, off-duty at the time, reported to the scene of alleged gang activity while allegedly intoxicated. Alston’s complaint refuted this and other allegations. The borough filed an answer in August, and the matter is still pending a court date. (July 14, 28, Sept. 29).

6. Three towns merge court systems Hazlet, Keyport and Matawan approved ordinances dissolving their municipal courts and establishing the Joint Municipal Court of Hazlet, Keyport and Matawan in September. Local officials lauded the move as a cost-saving effort that would save more than $400,000 among the three towns. The municipalities will pay a set amount and will collect revenue generated from violations occurring within their borders. The court is set to be in operation by next month. (Sept. 29, Oct. 13, 27, Dec. 15).

7. Mother Nature shows who’s bossMother Nature asserted herself throughout 2011, sending a blizzard, a hurricane and a rare East Coast earthquake. The effects of the Dec. 26, 2010, blizzard were felt well into 2011 as towns struggled to dig out and clean up after the snowfall that blanketed the area with up to 3 feet of snow and sent municipal budgets into red ink due to cleanup costs. Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency while towns turned to social media to keep residents informed of the storm’s track and cleanup efforts. (Jan. 6, 20, Sept. 8). Next came Hurricane Irene in late August, which, while downgraded to a tropical storm, sent 1 million New Jerseyans to shelters. Collateral damage included extensive power outages, widespread flooding, washouts and road collapses. (Sept. 1, 8, 15, Oct. 6). Next up was a 5.9 magnitude earthquake on Aug. 23 felt from its epicenter in Virginia throughout the Northeast as far as Maine.

8. Baykeeper returns oysters to Raritan Bay The Keyport-based NY/NJ Baykeeper placed 3,600 oysters back into the Raritan Bay on Oct. 6, signaling the restart of its oyster restoration project. The project, which is being conducted from Naval Weapons Station Earle in Leonardo, will determine if the oysters, which are ecologically extinct in this area, can survive and help restore the health of local waters. The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection had forced Baykeeper to remove its oyster reefs in Keyport Harbor in 2010 over concerns that oysters used for ecological restoration could be poached and sold to consumers, which could create a public health problem. Baykeeper proposed placing the oyster cages at Earle, which is under 24/7 security, eliminating any poaching risk. The cages filled with seed oysters were placed off the pier at Earle and will be monitored throughout the winter and into the spring. (Oct. 13, Sept. 22, Aug. 4).

9. Christie: Reforms painful, but necessary Gov. Chris Christie addressed two critical issues that impact residents — the public employee salary cap and education reform — while promoting his larger reform agenda at a Town Hall meeting at VFW Post 2179 in Middletown on Jan. 26. Surrounded by local officials, Christie spoke to an audience of some 350-400, some irate, about his reform agenda and the painful choices he maintains are necessary to restore the state to fiscal solvency. “We cannot afford this stuff anymore,” Christie said. “I am sorry that I’m the guy that has to be here at the time when the party’s over.” (Feb 3).

10. RIP Keyport Business Alliance Keyport cut ties with the Keyport Business Alliance (KBA) in the fall. The KBAoperated as Keyport’s district management corporation, overseeing its business improvement district. In October, the Keyport Borough Council introduced an ordinance that would cut off ties with the KBAand replace it with a new corporation that emphasized borough oversight. The council looked to the KBA’s contentious relationship with the borough — its shaky adherence to the Open Public Meetings Act and inability to document its expenditures — and voted to cut it off. KBA leaders said the group would live on as a separate entity, unaffiliated with the borough. (Oct. 27, Nov. 10).