Connors & Rumpf Contact DOT on Tuckerton Spillway Issue

August 3, 2009

Contact: Jason Smith / (609) 693-6700
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf, Senator Christopher J. Connors

Connors & Rumpf Contact DOT on Tuckerton Spillway Issue

9th District Legislators Urge DOT to Pursue Alternative Location Other than Property of Local Business Establishment

Senator Christopher J. Connors and Assemblyman Brian Rumpf today issued a letter to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) urging that an alternative site be explored for a planned spillway project other than the currently eyed site, which is on property belonging to the Stewart’s Root Beer Drive-In establishment, located on Route 9 in Tuckerton Borough.

In addition to highlighting the objections raised by the owner/operator of Stewart’s Root Beer Drive-In to the proposed plan, the 9th District Legislators pointed out in their letter the willingness of officials of the Tuckerton Seaport to have the project placed on property owned by the Seaport.

The following letter was sent by Senator Connors and Assemblyman Rumpf to DOT Commissioner Stephen Dilts:

August 3, 2009

Honorable Stephen Dilts, Commissioner
NJ Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 600
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0600

RE: Spillway Pipe Project – Tuckerton Borough – Route 9 – Stewart’s Root Beer Drive-In

Dear Commissioner Dilts:

Through this communication, we are respectfully urging the Department to reconsider any plans that would entail running a spillway pipe under the parking lot of the Stewart’s Root Beer Drive-In on Route 9 in Tuckerton Borough.

As you may already be aware, there appears to be an alternate plan that has support with the Borough that would avoid any disruption to, and possible loss of, a long established business that continues to be a valued presence in the community. It is our understanding that support exists among Tuckerton officials and members of the Governing Body for an alternative site to put the Department’s project on property located on and owned by the Tuckerton Seaport. We have been informed that the Seaport’s Executive Board supports such an action and is currently in negotiations with the Department to place the project on the Seaport’s property in light of the benefits to the local lagoon.

Based on his public comments, Mr. Brad Bennett, the owner/operator of Stewart’s Root Beer Drive-In, appears intent on stopping any work that the Department attempts to perform on his property. Additionally, Mr. Bennett has also expressed deep concerns over the likely negative financial impact on his business should this project move forward on his property. In these difficult and troubling economic times, it would seem prudent for the Department to give greater consideration to the alternative site at the Seaport, especially given the economic benefits created by Stewart’s Root Beer Drive-In both in terms of revenue and seasonal jobs that could be lost.

There are also other considerations in this matter. As we understand it, the Seaport would be an ideal location to place the fish ladder approved by the Army Corps of Engineers for the new spillway. There, it could be utilized to help instruct tourists and children on river herring runs, whereas, the Department’s current plan would entail the fish ladder being concealed under a parking lot. It is also important to note that a researcher from Rutgers Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences was quoted in a recent media report stating that the fish ladder proposed by the Army Corps could bring back a historical herring run into nearby Lake Pohatcong.

In closing, we wish to reiterate our request for the Department to give consideration to moving this project to the property located on Tuckerton Seaport. Thank you, in advance, for your immediate attention to this communication.

Sincerely,

Christopher J. Connors
Senator – 9th District

Brian E. Rumpf
Assemblyman – 9th District