‘Stop the bleeding’

Emergency reinforcement of a stream bank along the Middlesex/Green Brook border is expected to occur in early January as officials look to keep serious erosion from sliding homes into the water.

The Borough Council several weeks ago authorized the use of Belgian blocks to shore up the embankment near Heather Lane and Holly Court homes. Officials said on Tuesday, Dec. 19 that there was been a delay in obtaining materials, even though other preparations such as an access road have been completed.

Mayor John Madden said he’s reached out to various federal and state agencies about the endangered homes in recent months but “nobody’s coming out to help.”

Madden added that he typically opposes expending taxpayer dollars to address a private property issue, such as the Belgian block work. But he added, “We have to stop the bleeding.”

Affected property owners contend the Green Brook Flood Risk Management project and 2021 ‘s Hurricane Ida have been factors in creating the erosion risk. One Heather Lane home has already been deemed uninhabitable with the neighboring property owner fearing his residence will be next.

During a Zoom meeting in October, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reps asserted the erosion problem would have occurred even if the flood control project had not been undertaken.

Heavy rains occurred on Sunday, Dec. 17 and Monday, Dec. 18. Madden said he visited the Heather Lane site and “more erosion was very evident.” A nearby pumping station that is part of the flood control work was operating during the storm, he added.

Council President Michael Conahan said the municipality has submitted a state Resilient Communities Program grant application, which has a potential $5 million maximum award. Officials have estimated that a long-term fix to the erosion problem could cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars.

Councilman Jeremiah Carnes said of the affected homeowners, “My heart hurts for them.”

The feds’ continued refusal to deny help was criticized by Councilman Martin Quinn.

“I don’t understand how the Army Corps can say it’s outside the scope of their job,” Quinn said. “I’m flabbergasted.”

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