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Resident tells Matawan council human waste is being dumped near lake; staff say county health and town counsel involved
Summary
A resident reported repeated dumping of human feces and toilet paper from a property down to a lake, saying it poses contamination and nuisance risks; borough staff said violations have been issued, the county health department is involved, and town counsel described legal enforcement as a last resort.
A resident told the Matawan Borough Council during public comment that human feces and toilet paper are being repeatedly dumped from a property identified in the complaint as "195," forming piles that run downhill toward a nearby lake and posing contamination and nuisance risks.
The resident described seeing piles of "raw human feces" and said the material has been present since last fall, presenting odors and the potential for flies and water contamination. The resident said they provided photos and that a case number had been issued when they reported the problem to borough and county officials.
A borough staff member responded that the city has issued numerous violations and is coordinating with the county public health department. "The county has expressed to us that they sit in communications with [specialists]," the staff member said, noting the county's involvement in investigation and enforcement. The record shows staff acknowledged frustration at the pace of remedy but said the borough is working with the county.
Town legal counsel told the meeting that legal action is treated as a "last resort" and that the borough follows steps before pursuing court-based remedies. Counsel said enforcement is legally available but used after other remedies, and staff discussed ordinances and code-enforcement tools as possible paths to compel cleanup.
Council members and staff offered to follow up with the resident; staff said they could arrange testing if necessary and will continue working with county public health and legal counsel. No formal motion or vote on cleanup or emergency ordinance action was recorded during this public-comment exchange.
