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POMPTON LAKES - Citizens unite over DuPont
(by Leslie Scott - Staff Writer - July 23, 2008)
POMPTON LAKES - Mayor Katie Cole is establishing a special committee to tackle new toxin discoveries and other concerns arising from the DuPont explosives factory once based in this borough.
“I want to start a citizens advisory committee to deal with not just the DuPont situation that we have now, but it looks as if DuPont is going to be around for a while now,” said Cole.
In the 1980s, it was discovered that DuPont left toxins in the groundwater under more than 300 homes, which the company was ordered to clean.
The cleanup process is still going on today. The most recent test results showed that this water is also emitting toxic vapors into the air.
DuPont is currently assisting residents in the affected area with keeping their homes free of these toxic vapors. Cole said she would put together a list of responsibilities for this committee to manage. Establishing communication is one major objective of the committee.
“It would make sure that the residents affected and the rest of the town get the information that they need. I would look for this committee to do a good part of that,” she said.
It would also be responsible for meeting with DuPont, talking with representatives from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and having discussions with the Borough Council.
She wants the group to include about 12 individuals who live in the plume area, which sits over the contaminated ground water.
The mayor looked through residential listings and has already picked 15 people she would invite to be on the committee.
These individuals, she explained, have been vocal about DuPont issues over the years.
“I just picked out people who have been to meetings, shown an interest, asked questions and things like that. Some of them I know, some I don’t,” she said.
During the July 16 council meeting, the mayor asked elected leaders to submit names of other residents who would be interested in participating.
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