HOWELL – Mayor Theresa Berger and Councilman John Bonevich sent a detailed letter to Attorney General Gurbir Grewal to request an investigation into the handling of an application for a proposed solid waste transfer station (known locally as “the dump”) by the Monmouth County Freeholders. Berger and Bonevich have asked Attorney General Grewal to stop any action or approvals by the Freeholders until an investigation can be completed to ensure no criminal influence is being used to further the project.

The dump project would financially benefit family members of former Monmouth County Clerk Claire French, a well-connected Republican powerbroker. The controversial waste transfer station was supported by the majority Republican Howell Council, including Evelyn O’Donnell. Councilwoman O’Donnell is running for re-election this year, and her support of the waste transfer station has become an issue in the Howell Council race.

“I’m concerned that once the election is over, if the Republicans win, the waste transfer station project will be put on the fast track.”

– Howell Mayor Theresa Berger

The proposed facility on Randolph Road would accept 1500 tons of materials per day. It would also include a 25,000 square foot main building and an 8,000 square foot maintenance garage.

Jump to Dump Project Timeline (2015-2020)

The waste transfer station was first proposed in 2015 and was initially welcomed by the Township Council. In 2017, Howell Township sent a formal letter of support for the project that was approved by the Township Council, which were all Republicans. The project was successfully concealed from the public until township officials proposed a new traffic signal and road widening that were needed to handle the heavy truck traffic related to the proposed dump. 

This effectively tipped off newly elected Mayor Berger, who until that time, was unaware of the undisclosed effort to approve the project. After learning of the proposed dump, Berger immediately voiced her opposition to the project, and has managed to block it for the last 3 years.

“I’m concerned that once the election is over, if the Republicans win, the waste transfer station project will be put on the fast track,” commented Berger. “We must do everything in our power to protect Howell and stop the dump.”

Mayor Berger and Councilman Bonevich wrote to the Attorney General concerning what they believe is an improper attempt to move forward on the waste transfer station. The County has conducted a traffic study and “in need” study without publicly admitting their intentions to continue with the project. Repeated requests for these documents have been denied, in violation of New Jersey State law.

In their letter to the Attorney General, Mayor Berger and Councilman Bonevich described an improper attempt to move forward on the waste transfer station in secret. Repeated requests from Mayor Berger for documents have been denied, in violation of New Jersey State law. The County has conducted a traffic study and “in need” study without publicly admitting their intentions to continue with the project or releasing what should be public information.

The letter reads in part:

We have serious concerns that the proposal will be approved without our consent and over our objection, in violation of the clear procedures required by state law. As the chief law enforcement officer in our State, we respectfully request that you take immediate action to stop any action or prospective approvals by the Freeholders.

A recent lawsuit filed by the developer of the dump, Resource Engineering, blames Berger and her opposition for the stalled project and claims that Republican officials in Howell signed off on the application. The principals of Resource Engineering are family members of the former Republican County Clerk, Claire French, which has led Berger and Bonevich to suggest in their letter to the Attorney General that “political influence might be at play.”

Local opposition to this project has been fierce. The “Stop by Dump in Howell” Facebook page has been in the forefront of keeping Howell residents informed on this issue.

Dawn Van Brunt, the founder of Howell for Open Land and Preservation of the Environment (HOPE) has also been an outspoken critic of the proposed waste transfer station. Van Brunt stated, “For Howell residents, this is a critical election. If Mayor Berger is not re-elected, I believe the dump will be built.”

Dump Project Timeline (2015-2020)

11/16/2015
The developer, Resource Engineering, submits a proposal for a solid waste transfer station on
Randolph Road to Howell Township. Resource Engineering is owned by the family of former Monmouth County Clerk Claire French.

11/23/2015
Howell Township hosts a meeting with the Monmouth County Solid Waste Coordinator, Stuart Newmann, to discuss the proposed solid waste transfer station.

2/10/2017
Howell Township requests a traffic signal and widening of roads, required for final approval of the waste transfer station.

3/02/2017
Mayor Berger sends an email to the Township Manager asking why they are adding a traffic signal and widening the roads at the proposed dump site.

3/06/2017
The Howell Township Manager, Jeff Mayfield, sends a letter of support for the waste transfer station to the Solid Waste Advisory Council (SWAC). This letter was authorized by Republican Council Members Robert Nicastro, Pauline Smith and Evelyn O’Donnell (Former clerk stands to benefit from Howell waste deal – Asbury Park Press, Jan 25, 2018) 
 
5/18/2017
SWAC officially recommends the dump project, which is a prerequisite for final approval by the Freeholder Board.

7/27/2017 (morning)
Mayor Theresa Berger sends “scathing email” in opposition to the waste transfer station on the day scheduled for the county freeholder meeting to give final approval to the project.
 
7/27/2017 (afternoon)
Monmouth County Freeholder Meeting is cancelled, waste transfer station proposal sent back to SWAC.

1/25/2018
Howell residents pack SWAC meeting to oppose the waste transfer station. The Republican Council Members state they have changed their position and are now opposed to the dump. (Former clerk stands to benefit from Howell waste deal – Asbury Park Press, Jan 25, 2018)
 
1/22/2019
Mayor Berger and newly elected Democratic Councilman John Bonevich propose a resolution opposing the waste transfer station.
 
1/17/2020
Mayor Berger attends SWAC meeting to demand the release of traffic studies and “in need” studies that have been conducted, but have not been made available to the public. To date, the Monmouth County Freeholders are unlawfully withholding these public documents.
 
2/5/2020
Mayor Berger sends letter to Freeholder Director Arnone, repeating the town’s objection to the proposed dump project.
 
8/11/2020
Resource Engineering LLC files a lawsuit, specifically blaming Mayor Berger for “vehemently opposing” and successfully blocking the proposed dump – for now.

10/13/2020
Mayor Berger and Councilman Bonevich sent a letter to Attorney General Grewal requesting an investigation into the handling of an application for a proposed solid waste transfer station by the Monmouth County Freeholders. They have asked Grewal to stop any action or approvals by the Freeholders until an investigation can be completed. They also asked Grewal to compel the Monmouth County Freeholders to release public documents related to the project, including traffic studies and “in need” studies that the Freeholders are unlawfully withholding from the public.

Related article: Mayor Berger Blocks Dump – Council’s Prior Approval Sparks Developer Lawsuit