Township objects to a Marpal tonnage increase

BY KAREN E. BOWES
Staff Writer

MIDDLETOWN – Residents of the road that leads to the Tinton Falls Marpal waste facility are facing 350 tons more garbage.

The facility is asking county officials to increase their daily intake of waste from 450 to 800 tons, as well as to extend operation hours until midnight.

Residents of Swimming River Road, presently the only access route used by trucks to and from the facility, are already plagued with traffic problems and an “insufferable quality of life,” according to a Township Committee resolution.

On Dec. 6, committee members voted to pass a resolution that asks the Monmouth County Planning Board to reject the application that would allow the facility to increase its tonnage.

“We’re requesting that they restrict it so they don’t use Swimming River Road,” said Robert Czech, township administrator.

Middletown joins Tinton Falls in their opposition to the expansion. According to the resolution, Tinton Falls has already presented a petition to the Solid Waste Advisory Council (SWAC) containing over 800 signatures opposing the application.

“Middletown opposes the proposed expansion as the increased truck traffic, noise, light and air pollution will have an adverse affect on the surrounding residential neighborhoods,” reads the resolution.

Czech hopes that in the future Marpal can somehow bypass Swimming River Road, and come in off County Route 537.

“The goal is to find an alternate route,” said Czech.

The resolution has been sent to members of the Monmouth County SWAC and Board of Chosen Freeholders.

“Time is of the essence,” according to Czech, “because [the application] is already before SWAC.”

Czech expects to hear back from the county within a month.