Politics & Government

Township Committee Wants to Hear More About Wind Turbine Issue

Invites Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority chairman to make a presentation

Union Beach, Keyport and Hazlet have stated their opposition to the construction of a wind turbine project by the Bayshore Regional Sewerage Authority, in Union Beach. 

Now, Holmdel Township may weigh in.

At a Committee meeting Thursday, Mayor Patrick Impreveduto spoke candidly about the fairness of constructing a 380-foot tall industrial turbine to power the BRSA in a coastal area of the mile-square borough. Even the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders is joining the Bayshore towns in opposing its construction, he said.

Find out what's happening in Holmdel-Hazletwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In the audience was the Chairman of the BRSA, Holmdel resident John Colligas.

Colligas, one of two Holmdel commissioners appointed to the authority by the township committee, appealed to the Committee to take time to learn more about the project, intended to save ratepayers $500,000 a year, before taking sides. He said the BRSA has been "demonized" by an active group of local residents opposing the project.  

Find out what's happening in Holmdel-Hazletwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It might be helpful to you --  maybe we should get together -- and allow you to see everything we've collected," he told the mayor, referring to NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection sign-offs and consultant reports. 

Colligas said the issue had become a "matter of emotion and lack of knowledge."

"I don't know what we can do about the emotion, but we can do something about the knowledge part," he said.

The Committee invited Colligas to return with a presentation. 

Union Beach resident Bart Sutton, who also attended the Holmdel meeting with a handful of Union Beach neighbors who oppose the turbine for its proximity to homes, health concerns and cost reasons, asked officials to consider "equal time" with the Union Beach residents.

"I have a good understanding of your plight," said the mayor, acknowledging Sutton's Union Beach neighbor in the audience, Marco Oldhafer, who has reached out to the Holmdel mayor on the issue. 

"Now I need to hear the other side," he said.

Committeeman Larry Fink said the presentation would be educational for Holmdel residents. "The general public is served well by public discussion of these kind of items," he said. 

About two weeks ago, Colligas made a presentation before the Half Century Club. Video segments of his lecture are on Holmdel Patch. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here