Sludge Watch ==> New Jersey: Republicans call to stop sludge application in town

[Maureen Reilly]

Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Republicans call to stop sludge application in town


Hammonton Republican Council Candidates James Bertino, Anthony Marino, and 
Jerry Vitalo called for a unified front to end sludge application in 
Hammonton. A permit application was filed with Pinelands by ONYX to build an 
additional 1.9 million gallon biosolids storage facility in Hammonton. The 
sludge is applied to the ground near sensitive wetlands.

"Republicans, Democrats, and Independents must all work together to put an 
end to sludge application in our town," said Republican Councilman James 
Bertino. "We have to approach this on every level, and a cooperative effort 
of all Hammonton residents is needed to be successful."

Currently, ONYX's permit to apply sludge to the ground as fertilizer expired 
in 2000, but they have been able to continue the process. "As a Pinelands 
town, we are under some of the strictest environmental regulations in the 
country, yet we're becoming a dumping ground for the rest of the state's 
sludge," said Bertino.

Area residents have filed repeated complaints with the State DEP's Air 
Quality Division over the years, finding no relief. "Quality of life should 
be a top priority with all parties," said Republican Council candidate Jerry 
Vitalo. "The air can become unbreathable in that area of town, and residents 
are forced indoors until the application process is done. This is not fair 
to our residents."

Pinelands will be ruling on ONYX's latest application to increase sludge 
storage and application within the next 30 days. "As residents of Hammonton, 
we all need to stand together against this," said Republican candidate 
Anthony Marino.


Originally published October 18, 2006

http://www.thehammontonnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061018/NEWS01/610180318/1002