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Resident urges action on Troy Meadows stormwater trash; council cites easement issues and $8,000 per-net cost
Summary
At the Parsippany council's public session, resident Nick Komiak urged the township to address plastic and Styrofoam pollution in Troy Meadows, asked about MS4 compliance and trash nets. Councilmembers said an easement with the wildlife preserve must be resolved and said the cost per trash net is about $8,000.
Nick Komiak, a Parsippany resident, used the council's public comment period on April 15 to press for action on stormwater-borne trash entering Troy Meadows. Komiak displayed photos and told the council he found large amounts of Styrofoam and plastic in drainage channels and cited the municipal MS4 stormwater regulations and total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for the watershed.
Komiak asked the township to hold a public informational session about MS4 requirements and to consider installing trash-capture nets in storm drains. He proposed volunteer cleanups and suggested the town enlist churches and community groups to adopt areas.
In response, council members said the township supports the idea but identified a legal and property hurdle: establishing or clarifying an easement with the wildlife preserve that controls portions of Troy Meadows. Councilmembers said once the easement is established the sewer/storm department would evaluate improvements and that trash-capture nets are a possible tool. A council member stated the cost is about $8,000 per net to cover the Troy Meadows installation areas.
Komiak requested a layperson's explanation of MS4 permit obligations; council members agreed that the township should consider a public session and accepted Komiak's packet of photos and documentation.
Ending: Council members described next steps as establishing the easement and then having the sewer/storm department review potential net installations and volunteer engagement; no funding appropriation or formal directive was approved at the meeting.
