Proposal to replace septic systems in Point Manalapan fizzles

Tag : septic systems


MANALAPAN — A long-discussed proposal to install asanitary-sewer system in the Point neighborhood at a cost of morethan $2 million appears to be dead.
At the Town Commission's direction, Town Manager Greg Dunham on May9 mailed a letter to residents of both parts of town asking whetherthey want to their replace septic systems with a sanitary sewersystem.
The idea was proposed more than three years ago in part because ofenvironmental concerns. The county Health Department encouragesmunicipalities to convert to sewer systems because leaking septicsystems can contaminate groundwater and other bodies of water.
In the recent survey, residents of the barrier island opposed thechange by 30-6. On the Point, on the southern tip of HypoluxoIsland, 60 residents opposed the change, while 31 favored it.
The survey results seems to have put the proposal to rest for theforeseeable future.
"I guess that ends that issue," said Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Gottlieb,who presided at Monday's meeting in the absence of Mayor BillBenjamin and Vice Mayor Tom Gerrard.
In 2005, a similar survey found that 32 barrier island residentsfavored the idea and 17 did not. On the Point, 71 residents favoreda switch to sanitary sewers and 55 were opposed.
"I think most of this is voting dollars. They don't want to spendthe money now," Commissioner Tom Coffman said. "The other questionis: What is right and wrong? And I don't know the answer to that."