COAH plan flies in the face of Millstone Township's master plan

My family and I live at 18 Bergen Mills Road in Millstone. I am writing to express my objection to the proposed Council On Affordable Housing (COAH) low-income development being planned on Route 33 and Bergen Mills Road.

My family and I have been residents for several years. I feel that this planned development will greatly affect my family and this community — the whole community, not just the north side of Route 33.

I believe this plan is not in the best interest of the community. Putting 85 units in three apartment buildings goes against everything that the township stands for. I "believed" that the township-elected committee fought for and wanted 10-acre zoning. This planned development goes directly against this fact. This change, if it goes through, will change the face of Millstone.

I understand the state mandates that the township has a certain amount of low-income housing and I have no problem with having it in the township. However, I have concerns about the sewage treatment plant being planned for this development and how the units will be supplied with water. What is this going to do to the ecological balance in the area? I grew up in a town that had sewage treatment plants. When they pumped them out people for miles around could smell it for days. There is no way around it.

The amount of water needed for this size development will require a very deep well and will siphon a tremendous amount of water from the upper water shelf. My well is only 75 feet deep and the wells of my neighbors are all about the same depth. Who will help me pay the expensive cost to drill a deeper well? No one.

To my knowledge, there has been no Department of Environmental Protection study on the possible effects in the area. Before a plan of this size goes through all areas of concern should be explored to their end.

I hope that the elected Township Committee hears my concerns and the concerns of my neighbors and considers what this could do to our town. I implore you not to go ahead with this plan.
Anthony Trentacosti
Millstone