Township decides against
anti-warehouse resolution
U.F. officials say committee has no jurisdiction over Washington Township
By jane meggitt
Staff Writer

The Upper Freehold Township Committee decided not to adopt a resolution against a proposed warehouse complex to be built along the municipal border in Washington Township.

The resolution was proposed by Lynwood Estates resident Steve Murphy.

Murphy’s resolution, which was also sent to the officials of approximately 30 surrounding municipalities, concerns the Matrix Corp.’s plan to build 5.85 million square feet of warehouse space directly across from the Lynwood Estates subdivision.

Murphy urged the Township Committee to pass a resolution against the project, taking the following into consideration: the increase in traffic on local roads, Route 539, the New Jersey Turnpike, Route 195, and routes 33, 130, 295, 95 and 133 from "both increased truck traffic and the increased car traffic from the 1,700 plus anticipated employees that will need ingress and egress"; pollution generated by diesel trucks; destruction of 434 acres of historic farmland used by the British for an encampment during the American Revolution; the adverse impact on wetlands and overall water quality; and development that is inconsistent with the N.J. Office of Smart Growth and the state master plan.

Murphy told the Township Committee that when he purchased his home three years ago, he received a copy of Upper Freehold’s Country Code policy. He also quoted an ordinance citing Upper Freehold’s commitment to rural living, and said the Matrix development contradicted that.

Committeeman Paul Burke said, "We’ve made our position pretty clear. I don’t relate this to the Country Code."

Murphy disagreed.

Township Attorney Granville Magee told him that while "governing bodies can do anything they wish to do," whether it would be prudent was another matter. "Would it have an impact? That would be speculative," said Magee.

Deputy Mayor William Miscoski agreed with Murphy, saying, "[Matrix] isn’t good for Upper Freehold. The traffic stinks. Whether passing a resolution will amount to a hill of beans — we are trying to work things out with Washington Township."

"I believe the issue affects the quality of life in New Jersey," Murphy said. "Bringing trucks onto our highways … we’re the most congested state in the union. I want local governments to state, ‘This is not good for us.’ "

"No one here wants to see the impact on Upper Freehold," Mayor David Horsnall said. "We’d like to mitigate it to the point where it went away, but we’ve got to deal with it. Passing a resolution stating opposition to this is fine, but it carries no more weight. We have taken the point that we are going to do everything we can to minimize the impact. We have no jurisdiction over Washington Township."

Added Burke: "I think a resolution will take bargaining power away from us when dealing with the county or the Department of Transportation. It looks like we’re taking a cheap shot so we’ll look good in the papers."

"This is more than a local issue," Murphy replied. "When this is done, they’ll go on to the next exit and buy up local farmland."

Horsnall told Murphy, "Your words have not gone unheard. We are not prepared to take action at this time."

Murphy later released a statement in which he expressed disappointment with the Township Committee’s decision. In it, he wrote, "This development, as proposed, generates substantial tax revenue for Washington Township and imposes on our residents’ quality of life. Poor planning and fiscal irresponsibility on the part of Washington Township should not compromise this committee’s philosophy of protecting the rights of its residents."

He also asked officials to reconsider passing the resolution.