I read Arlene Johnson’s recent letter to the editor regarding the paving of Harmony Hill Road in Upper Freehold Township with disbelief. No one is talking about putting up a “parking lot” or destroying the “bucolic” nature of the neighborhood.
For those not familiar with Harmony Hill Road, this is a dead-end street. There will be zero increase in traffic and no change to the neighborhood.
As a property owner on Harmony Hill Road, we simply want safe access to our properties. The road, as it exists, is not wide enough for firetrucks or school buses. Transporting an injured person over the ruts and potholes would not be a pleasant experience — far more serious issues than the “bothersome” dirt on a car that Arlene focused on.
To imply the neighbors are attempting to destroy the rural nature of Upper Freehold is preposterous.
Maintenance on gravel is more expensive than a paved road. Gravel must be replenished, and the road must be filled and smoothed on a regular basis. The township has been maintaining the road. The neighbors, including myself, have been attempting to get the road paved for over 10 years — at no cost to the town.
At one point, I was prepared to fund the entire cost of the construction. I funded the engineering plans and their review — and approval — by both the township and Monmouth County engineers.
Recently, another neighbor has been exploring an alternate method of funding under a shared-services agreement with the county and circulated a petition. Every other property owner supports it. There is no legitimate environmental reason not to go through with the road improvement. There are only selfish reasons to block it. Robert Obusek Millstone Township