Vernon wants pump station repaired

VERNON — The Vernon Township Council on Monday said it is planning to send a letter to Mountain Creek asking it to move along with long-delayed repairs to Pump Station No. 2 on its property.
Though the wastewater pump station is owned by the township, Mountain Creek agreed in a 2012 contract with the town to upgrade the station by July 1, 2013. But according to Mayor Harry Shortway, Mountain Creek has still not taken action on the matter, leaving Pump Station #2 in a state of dangerous disrepair.
“It is a hazard,” Shortway said. “The problem is if the pump house breaks again and the pipes break and no one's around ... it could be a catastrophe. It could overflow right into the Black Creek.”
Part of the problem, Shortway said, is the need for Mountain Creek to make decisions about the future expansion of its resort facilities so the pump station can be updated to accommodate those capacity needs down the line. But while Mountain Creek has made several presentations before the council, no solid proposal has been put forth that would allow repairs to the pump station to move forward.
Township Attorney John Ursin suggested the township could formalize a notice of default against Mountain Creek due to its lack of contract fulfillment, but Councilman Patrick Rizzuto suggested the mayor and council reach out to the resort owners outlining their urgent concerns and pressing for action. The mayor and council agreed to do so.
The project is expected to cost more than $1 million, Shortway said.
However, even if a plan was formalized by the end of this year, Ursin said with necessary approvals it is unlikely any work would begin before 2018. Council President Dan Kadish suggested the council hold a work session to come up with a contingency plan in case delays on Mountain Creek's end persist, but the council decided to wait until it has an answer from the resort to do so.
Additionally on Monday the council voted 3-2, with Councilmen Rizzuto and Dick Wetzel opposing, to make changes to the Township Code regarding the Environmental Commission. Ordinance 16-26 reduces the seven-member body to just five members and restates the powers of the Environmental Commission as an advisory group to the Land Use Board in accordance with the state statute N.J.S.A40:56A-1. That ordinance will take effect on Dec. 31.