“This is your town, this is my town, this is our town, you have the say,” Mayor Carolyn Broullon said Tuesday night, opening a special meeting so residents could learn the most updated information plans from the Army Corps of Engineers to build a Flood wall in the Borough.
Broullon promised the question will be on the ballot in November so voters in Highlands can determine whether they want it, but wanted to ensure they had the most updated information from the Corps of Engineers.
More than 100 residents turned out to hear and see the most updated plans. The meeting was held in the Henry Hudson Regional School gym in order to accommodate as many interested people as possible; the new Borough Hall’s largest room can only accommodate 60 people in its largest room.
Bethany McClanahan, an engineer with the Corps for more than a decade, led the discussion and presentation of the visual renderings of the latest plans for the flood wall, which would include land acquisition, construction that would obliterate views and cost millions of dollars, the largest amount paid through state and federal funds, and approximately $13 million by local taxes over a period of several years.
The full updated plans and drawings are available on the Highlands Borough site.
Broullon gave a brief synopsis of the project from when it was first considered in 1990, noting “it’s been 34 years in the making to this point” and added it has been seven years since the Army Corps was in the borough at a meeting such as this one to explain its most updated proposals. She urged residents to give input and become aware of the plans and engaged in them so they can be a part of the decision.
Following the meeting, which will be the last time the Army Corps makes a formal presentation on the project, the mayor said the Council will discuss what was brought up by residents, review the plans, draw up a resolution and approve it by July 31 in order to have the resolution put on the November ballot for a vote.
Engineers at the meeting indicated that should residents turn down the project it is unlikely the federal or state governments would ever approve millions of dollars for a similar project anytime in the future. Should the project be approved by voters, the estimated construction costs would be $84 million from the federal government, and $45 million from non-federal sources, including the state and borough taxpayers.
That is in addition to the pre-construction, engineering and design costs which the federal government is funding at $2.4 million.
Construction would include a detention pond, diversion culverts, raised ground surfaces, flood-wall, floodgate and a pump station for interior drainage, all approved four years ago by the Corps. The flood closure gate would be the first portion of the overall project to be built and it is anticipated the plans and specifications for that portion would be completed by fall of next year.
The project runs approximately 8,000 linear feet along the coast, tying in with high ground in the borough.
Several residents who asked questions and made comments during the two-hour meeting received applause from an audience comprised predominantly of residents who live below the hill and would be most affected by the project.
‘Tommy’ a resident of Gravelly Point, one of the first to speak received applause twice during his highly emotional discussions with the engineers, telling them that concrete, the proposed material to build the wall “is one of the most polluting substances in the world,” adding….”so right there, there’s a problem.”
But the resident was more incensed at the destruction that any activity of this nature would cause sea life. “we’re a sand tidal town’ he said, ticking off the numerous varieties of sea life who make the river their home. While not refusing him his right to continue talking, the Mayor called on the resident to calm down and acknowledged council is aware of everything he is saying. He continued his objections but reminded the visitors that “we’ve gone through a lot before” and “You can’t mess with Mother Nature,” she’ll find a way to go where she wants. We’ve been through a lot, we got through, it makes us stronger.”
In other discussions, engineers told another speaker there is no Plan B should this plan not be effective, the borough would be responsible for replenishing sand from any erosion,
All beaches would have access with stairs over the wall, the floodgates would be primarily open similar to Port Monmouth, and 80 per cent of the property involved is privately owned.
Residents spoke of their reasons for buying homes in Highlands, to be close to the water and have a view and cited the fact residents have spent money and time reconstructing homes at a higher level after Hurricane. They suggested the flood wall be built in the river or at Sandy Hook, neither of which is feasible, they learned, and residents would have to finance their own attorneys following declaration of taking if they do not agree with the negotiated funds. Corps Corps Corps Corps
