Vision for Quarry's Future Faces Further Scrutiny Tuesday

There's been a lot of technical discussion during the eight public hearings held before the to examine Millington Quarry's updated plans to transform the quarrying facility into 180 acres of property that can become usable for something else, possibly a future residential neighborhood.

But at the heart of the matter is a lengthy discussion between township officials and the quarry owners over what is the township's largest undeveloped chunk of land could look like once the public has access to the 180 acres off Stonehouse Road.

There is also the question of how the property will get to that point. At the Planning Board's last meeting in early April, At one point, he disagreed with the quarry's plans to line the lake with rock, noting that would bring many truckloads bearing the heavy cargo into the township, using local roads.

The attorney for the quarry, Michael Lavigne, said that another township consultant is expected to continue the township's testimony on the quarry's application at the meeting scheduled for Tuesday night. The quarry is on the agenda for the meeting, set to begin at 7:30 p.m.

The quarry plan in early March. Since the, township consultants who have reviewed that plan are offering their opinions, and will perhaps offer suggestions for modifications. The tract has been used as a quarry for many decades, but is said to be nearing the end of its life as an active quarry.

During previous hearings, the public has been allowed to question each witness, and will be allowed to offer input near the end of the proceedings.

The Planning Board then makes recommendations on the quarry's application, and passes that report onto the , which will have the ultimate vote on whether to approve the updated closure plan.

The Township Committee never approved a previous rehabilitation plan recommended by the Planning Board following about two dozen hearings in 2008. That, and tests showing that contaminated soil had been brought into the quarry, sparked a lawsuit that has been put on hold while the hearings are before the township.

At a few points during the proceedings, Lavigne has said that the quarry has played a stay on its legal proceedings through April 27. He had said the quarry owners had hoped for an approved application for its reclamation plan by that date.

Lavigne by specifically pointing out that the current proposal is not to build houses, which he said would require a completely different application.