BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP: Residents question Public Works expansion

Estimated $2.3 million project proposes a recycling facility

By David Kilby, Special Writer
   BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — Approximately a dozen residents attended the committee meeting Monday for a public hearing on the proposed Public Works expansion.
   Officials have indicated at public meetings that, ideally, the project would be slated for completion by the end of the summer.
   Bordentown Township has been looking to improve and expand its Public Works property for years, according to Bruce Hill, a former mayor of the community, who attended the meeting.
   In 2012, committee support of the idea gained momentum when the National Rent-a-Fence facility next door to the current Public Works facility closed down in June. The township immediately took that as an opportunity to seize and had concept drawings drawn up by July. Plans describe how Public Works can utilize the recently abandoned facility.
   Mr. Hill, of Mission Road, said the expanded facility finally would provide a place for residents to drop off recyclable items. “It’s nothing new. We talked about this seven to eight administrations ago,” Mr. Hill said, adding the opportunity to buy the right property that could accommodate Public Works needs was never there, but now the opportunity is there. “This is the ideal situation. Everything’s there. I’d like to see the project go forward.”
   ”We’re packed in pretty tight,” said Dean Buhrer, Public Works director, of the current facility while showing how it is worn down and at its capacity. “We don’t have any room to maneuver.”
   The proposed new facility would be on the 3.6-acre facility next door. It tentatively would provide a recycling facility where residents can drop off paint, batteries, home appliances, electronics and tires. A car impound, a tentative used book drop-off and a large garage that can fit two tractor-trailers, which already is on the site, all would be part of the expanded Public Works grounds as well.
   Containers for storm debris and vegetation as well as an above ground fueling station also are proposed for the site.
   Residents who live nearby were concerned the proposed Dumpsters will cause a stench and attract pests to the area. There also were concerns about drainage issues, truck noise and light pollution, problems nearby residents dealt with when the National Rent-a-Fence facility was active.
   Louis Valli-Mount’s property on Holloway Lane borders the former National Rent-a-Fence facility, and he said lack of maintenance has caused all sorts of garbage and debris to build up along the property line.
   ”I had nothing against them having an operation, but now’s the time to re-address the issue,” Mr. Valli-Mount said.
   Committeeman John Moynihan said he felt there were some issues about the project that are not being adequately addressed.
   ”My concern is we’re doing this blindly without including it in the budget process,” he said of the project that is estimated to cost $2.3 million.
   Police Chief Frank Nucera said the new facility will save the township at least $10,000 a year with its new impound and at least another $10,000 a year in tipping fees or costs to send material to a landfill.
   The committee estimates the new facility would cost the average Bordentown Township household an extra $18 in taxes a year.
   Mr. Moynihan also added Goodwill Industries has a location in the township that accepts drop-offs of electronics bound for recycling, and it offers this service for free.
   The former National Rent-a-Fence property at 266 Crosswicks Road is assessed at $425,000. The property originally was for sale for $799,000, and the township is looking to buy it for $550,000, Mayor Jim Cann said.
   ”It’s got a specific use we absolutely need,” Mr. Cann said. “And it’s right next to our Public Works.”
   He said he’d like to buy the property for its appraised cost, but “we’re dealing with a small pool. We’re paying top dollar for the property, but considering the overall benefits we’ll generate, it’ll be worth it.”
   Committeeman Steven Benowitz said he was impressed by the citizen turnout for the hearing.
   ”We want to be good neighbors,” he said. “We’re gonna do the best we can. With this project, we’re jumping into the 21st century.”
   Some residents also were concerned there would be an increase in Public Works staff for the new facility.
   Mr. Cann said there’s no plan to increase Public Works staff while adding Public Works is, in fact, understaffed at the moment.
   He noticed many questions still have not been resolved and said there will be another public hearing on the project at the committee’s Feb. 11 meeting.