Millington Quarry Back Before Planning Board; More Plays in Park

There have been many moments of strongly expressed sentiment in front of the during the last month or so.

While zoning laws and future development plans may not seem like the most dramatic of subjects, two issues that have drawn much public attention have been on the board's agenda since last fall and winter — and both will return.

The Millington Quarry's representatives are due back before the board at a meeting to begin at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday night.

At the Jennifer Wollenberg, a professional environmental consultant specializing in risk assessment, said that the "protocol" or system set up for controlling the quality of soil brought in to rehabilitate the quarry site should protect from having additional contaminated soil brought in — as long as it is followed.

But a citizen-expert, Jeffrey Cappola, who also is a resident, offered a differing view which he said is also based on professional expertise. Cappola said that in his years of working closely with redevelopment projects in New Jersey, soil importation plans are unlikely to be followed without mistakes — deliberate or otherwise — which he said could allow more contaminated soil to be brought into the quarry property on Stone House Road.

Preventing the further arrival of soil containing contaminants, brought in as quarry fill around 2007-08,

Cappola said it is a "regular occurrence" on the job sites where he has worked, mostly industrial redevelopment projects in eastern New Jersey, for contaminated soil to slip by inspectors, despite ever stricter "protocols" to try to govern the quality and source of construction fill.

An attorney for the quarry, Michael Lavigne strenuously contested Cappola's qualifications to give testimony before the board in the capacity of a "soils importation" expert. To begin with, Lavigne insisted that Cappola fails the legal requirement that he be a "neutral" expert, and noted that as a resident, Cappola had earlier that night questioned Wollenberg's testimony.

Lavigne reserved the right to cross-examine Cappola at the following meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday.

Although the application won't be returning before the Planning Board until a few weeks from now, drew opposition from neighbors. Residents questioned several aspects of the plan, which conforms to local zoning laws, including the number of anticipated attendees and traffic patterns.

Ali Chaudry, a former township mayor who now is president of the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge, was asked by board professionals to report back to the board on such questions as how he reach membership projections. Chaudry and professionals to testify about the proposal were given a return date before the Planning Board of Sept 4.

A bonus for Plays in the Park

Some drama of an artistic nature is due to be offered to the public this Friday and Saturday night in Trilogy Repertory Co. and the bonus third show for the “Plays in the Park” season.

Trilogy Repertory has arranged for the Westfield-based The Troupe of Friends to bring that theater group's production of William Shakespeare’s "The Taming of the Shrew" toat 8 p.m. for two nights, on Friday, Aug. 24, and Saturday, Aug. 25, in Basking Ridge.

As with the other the play will be staged at the outdoor amphitheater at the park, located off Valley Road. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Audience members should bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating.

Troupe of Friend will perform additional performances of "The Taming of the Shrew" in Mindowaskin Park in Westfield at 7:30 p.m., on Friday, Aug. 31 and Saturday, Sept. 1, and a matinee at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 2.