Work Begins at French's Landfill Site

Those traveling along Sally Ike Road in Brick's Herbertsville section have noticed some big changes in the past week.

The former French's Landfill site, which was also a former federal Superfund site, is no longer covered in thick brush and hidden from the eyes of passing motorists. Crews began taking trees down more than a week ago, allowing passersby to sneak a peak at the 42 acre tract, which has long been off-limits to the public.

The removal of the trees is part of the final, federally-mandated , which operated between 1946 through the 1970s. In Dec. 2010, the township council authorized $14 million in bonds to fund a partial clearing of vegetation, installation of a landfill cap and gas ventilating system, construction of a storm water system, landscaping and the widening of Sally Ike Road fronting the site.

Had Brick officials not taken on the task of overseeing the project, the EPA estimated it could have cost taxpayers in upwards of $40 million had the federal government done the work and billed the township.

Business Administrator Scott Pezarras said now that work has begun at the site, it should take about 12 to 14 months to complete the project.

The long-term plan for the site is to turn it into a solar farm. In June, the township council announced that Brick would to complete the solar portion of the project, which won't begin until the final cap is in place.

"As we move forward, we hope we get the best deal, and we hope we get more money," Mayor Stephen C. Acropolis said at the time. The township will receive revenue generated from the solar farm.