OCEANPORT — Opponents of a crematory proposed for Woodbine Cemetery will have an opportunity to voice concerns to state representatives charged with approving the application.
Business Administrator John O. Bennett III said during the Sept. 18 Borough Council meeting that there will eventually be a public hearing scheduled if the owners of the cemetery on Maple Avenue decide to move forward with the application.
“I’ve been assured, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, that there will be public participation, even though there are no regulations with the process,” he said. “The Attorney General’s Office is insisting that there will be public participation in front of the Cemetery Board.
“So, as soon as we receive notification, we will let everyone know that hearing is going to be available to the public.”
The proposal for the crematory at the cemetery came to the attention of the borough in August when cemetery owners applied to the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for an airquality permit.
Under state law, applicants must seek an air-quality permit from the DEP and approval from the state Cemetery Board for a crematory. According to Bennett, the local municipality has no jurisdiction.
Borough Engineer William White has said the application includes a smokestack that would be 17 feet high and 20 inches wide. He said the machinery would operate between 30 and 73 hours per week.
The DEP recently closed a public comment period, during which only Bennett and White officially objected to the proposal. The legal notice of the public comment period appeared in an out-of-area newspaper.
Bennett explained last week the process for obtaining approvals for the crematory.
“I did have a conversation with the deputy commissioner of the DEP. The airquality division will not be taking any action on the air permit until after the cemetery board makes a determination,” he said. “As of [Sept. 16], the Cemetery Board has not even received an application.
“They have the jurisdiction over the location and placement of the chimney and, once they take their action, then the DEP would make a determination.”
The application has been strongly opposed by residents in the neighborhood surrounding the cemetery as well as residents of nearby towns. During an Aug. 7 council meeting, at least 33 members of the public voiced opposition to the proposal, citing health and safety concerns.