The village of Imlaystown in Upper Freehold Township is clearly faced with an escalating debacle over its wastewater treatment requirements dictated by the state of New Jersey.
The Upper Freehold Planning Board has since undertaken research studies, special meetings, proposals and recommendations that have all focused on the feasibility of operating a package treatment plant in Imlaystown to remedy this issue for residents.
Today, Imlaystown is no better off than it was when the state septic requirements changed over two years ago.
Although it is quite clear based on the wastewater cost analysis report presented at the Oct. 9, 2014, Planning Board meeting, the installation of a package treatment plant to sustain approximately 50 houses and a historic restaurant does not make economic sense. So does this mean the issue is dead? Maybe not.
Let’s look outside the box for an alternative solution. The answer for a solution could be as close as the other side of Interstate 195, at the intersection of Route 524 and Imlaystown Road, also known as Coxs Corner.
The consensus is that the numbers do not make sense for a stand-alone plant only servicing Imlaystown. What if you had the capability of hooking up existing commercial buildings at Coxs Corner Professional Center to the new system?
By achieving this, there would be a balance between the buildings and the proposed treatment plant. That would be a total of 14 commercial buildings when built out. Looking to the future, Upper Freehold purchased a 22-acre farm on Route 524 at Coxs Corner with affordable housing money in order to fulfill its obligation to provide affordable housing in Upper Freehold.
Ironically, to meet the requirements of the state Council on Affordable Housing, a package treatment plant would be required to meet its obligation.
However, let’s take it a step further. The ratables that are projected for the town’s community commercial property, which is clearly depicted as Coxs Corner, are pretty much dictated by the state’s septic requirements.
The package treatment plant will open up opportunities for needed services such as family restaurants, medical centers and other businesses that will afford the township to double or even triple the amount of projected clean tax revenues.
The construction of a package treatment facility nestled in an area close to Interstate 195 and away from public view could meet the needs of our community. It would be a self-sustaining operation while providing a cure for Imlaystown residents.
This would provide a remedy for our affordable housing requirements at no additional cost to taxpayers. In addition, this would increase the clean ratables that all residents of our community desire and welcome.
Douglas Walsh
Upper Freehold