Monmouth wants to spend $20M fixing landfill odor; here is how far the stink travels
FREEHOLD - Much like boardwalk food stands, the county landfill can from time to time permeate the air, but in a more noxious way.
Residents who responded to an Asbury Park Press inquiry indicated that the odor can be smelled several miles away, to the backyards of homes in the Wanamassa section of Ocean Township to inside cars traveling on Route 18 in Colts Neck.
The county is preparing to fix the odor, but it will be costly to county taxpayers, to the tune of $20 million.
In the weeks since the Jan. 16 town hall in Tinton Falls when Monmouth County officials and the landfill's operator Waste Management met with agitated residents after several issues again led to dozens of air quality complaints, a plan of action to combat the odors was developed.
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On Feb. 22, the Monmouth County Commissioners introduced a $20 million capital improvement bond ordinance to borrow money for improvements to the Reclamation Center, or the landfill, as many call it. The vote to approve the ordinance will be March 28.
Five years ago the county spent over $7.5 million to fix similar issues that seemed to resolve the odors until they began kicking up again this past fall. Most of the issues at the fill are result of too much rainfall on an aging system, county officials and Waste Management said. Waste Management was brought on in 2020 to manage the day-to-day operation of the landfill.
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On Feb. 28, Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas Arnone posted to the county's website the 30-day, 60-day and 90-day goals for fixing the dump. The goals include the installation of 29 new gas collection wells, a cap on 30 acres of the landfill and daily odor-related inspections.
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"These plans are contingent upon weather conditions and supply chain disruptions. Please know we are making every effort to complete these plans in a timely manner," Arnone said on Feb. 28.
The landfill sits on 900 acres in Tinton Falls and handles waste disposal for all 53 towns in Monmouth County. The landfill handles 400,000 tons of trash a year.
The three-month plan is as follows:
30-day plan (done by March 29)
Material and supply orders placed with expected arrival by mid-March.
Order and receive material and supplies for the temporary cap to cover 30 acres of the landfill.
Grading the landfill to prepare for the temporary cap.
Complete the installation of additional eight surface gas collection wells.
Tie all surface wells into gas collection system.
Engineer will finalize design of the temporary cap and well locations.
The county will have introduced a capital ordinance for $20 million to address improvement costs associated with the Reclamation Center.
Perform daily odor related inspections.
Order materials for 21 vertical (gas collection) wells.
Engage and schedule contractor to install the vertical wells.
Order materials for two flare upgrades.
Meet with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to discuss overall plan.
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60-day plan (done by April 29)
Receive the materials and supply order.
Begin installation of the temporary cap.
Begin installation of 21 vertical (gas collection) wells.
Receive the materials for the two flare upgrades.
Continue daily odor related inspections.
90-day plan (done by May 29)
Complete upgrades on the two flares.
Complete the 21 vertical (gas collection) wells.
Complete the temporary cap.
Continue daily odor related inspections.
When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Smelly Monmouth landfill will cost $20M to fix; see how far stink goes
