COUNCIL , from Page 1 tions at Blueberry Ridge — shared with council “ ongoing concerns of the residents of our community .”
“ Phone calls I ’ ve received from them are real and concerning . The residents question why Trotter ’ s Run Development continues to pump water into the basin adjoining Blueberry Ridge . They ’ ve seen large septic trucks removing water from Trotter ’ s Run basin
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and , at the same time , they observed a large pump that was installed that pumps water into the basin that adjoins Blueberry Ridge property ,” Ruberton said .
Ruberton said that residents have remarked that the basin has “ deteriorated .”
“ It has also been noticed that this additional water is overbearing the basin , causing the water level to remain extremely high . It
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should be noted that , back in 2017 , the pumping was to be — and I quote —‘ a very short term of inconvenience .’ However , this pumping continues to this day . In addition , noise from the pump running for several hours at a time remains a nuisance . Rightly , residents also have concerns as to whether the water is contaminated , and question how long Trotter ’ s Run community is going to be allowed to pump water into the basin ,” Ruberton said .
Ruberton said that areas of the basin banks are showing signs of erosion .
“ A large sinkhole is developing near the basin dam on Old Forks Road that should be addressed . I asked myself , who would be responsible if that dam breached ? That ’ s a tremendous amount of water in that basin , with little percolation . Again , there has been no maintenance done on these basin properties . In the past , residents have reported to board members , and myself , that kids have jumped the fence surrounding basin one to fish in the pond . Again , the water table in that basin is quite high . So
Wednesday , September 1 , 2021 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
Blueberry Ridge residents voice concerns about basin
Paid for by Hammonton GOP 2021 . A . Carpo Treas the question arises as to who is responsible if an accident were to occur on the property ?” Ruberton said .
Similarly , Ruberton said that the second basin , located next to the Puerto Rican Civic Association clubhouse , often “ has water in it , and has no fence around it .”
“ Thus , the same question of responsibility arises . So I ask you : is council willing to respond to the concerns of these Hammonton residents ?” Ruberton said .
Fred Pietropola , of 25 Alexander Dr ., expressed similar concerns .
“ Persons unknown have cut a hole in the fence that surrounds that basin , and juveniles have been observed trespassing into the basin . As Mr . Ruberton alluded to , the water level ’ s very high . The banks along the retention basin are crumbling . If a young kid gets close to that bank , he ’ s liable to have some slide-ins , take him into the pond and something unfortunate is going to happen . As a concerned parent , I think all of us should be concerned about that , and I just wanted to make you aware of it as a matter of public safety and leave it up to you as to how you need to deal with it as best you can ,” Pietropola said .
During discussion , Councilman Steven Furgione voiced his opinion on the matter .
“ The way I see the next step happening — and this is just me speaking with my thoughts — we can come in here month after month and keep talking about the same thing , and we can try to come up with something . I like [ town solicitor ] Mr . [ Michael ] Malinsky ; I ’ m sure you guys like your attorney . They ’ re expensive . Let ’ s cut through all the nonsense . They ’ re both expensive . There ’ s got to be a plan or something you guys want , that we could sit down , have a conversation and see what we can and can ’ t do here between the homeowner association and the town ,” Furgione said . Otherwise , Furgione said , the same conversation will be held “ month after month after month , which turns into year after year after year , which has already occurred .”
“ So , I would advocate that your attorney reaches out to Mr . Malinsky , comes up with something so we could sit down and say , ‘ OK , we agree here ; we disagree there ’ and try to , for once , put this thing to bed ,” Furgione said .
Walter Kelley , of 31 Alexander Dr .— and the president of the Blueberry Ridge homeowners ’ association — took to the microphone in response to Furgione .
“ With regards to your comment , I totally agree with you — but it
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