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Residents raise alarms over tree clearing, vernal pools and heavy truck traffic at 25 Hewitt Road
Summary
Residents and committee members told the West Amwell Township Committee on May 6 that tree clearing, multiple driveways and heavy hauling at 25 Hewitt Road may have disturbed wetlands and vernal pools; township engineers inspected the site and Committeeman Brian Fitting said he has written NJDEP. Citizens asked the township to consider a local tree ordinance.
Residents pressed the West Amwell Township Committee on May 6 about extensive tree clearing and grading at 25 Hewitt Road, saying the work may have disturbed wetlands and dozens of vernal pools.
Elissa Cullen of 128 Rocktown-Lambertville Road told the committee that the “spotted salamanders are being impacted,” and asked whether wetlands on the property had been disturbed. Multiple neighbors described heavy truck traffic and three new driveways that at times blocked the school bus, prompting calls to police.
Mike Spille said the property had been documented previously when PennEast sought access: “There were extensive vernal pools discovered on the property when PennEast wanted to go through the site,” and he told the committee he had forwarded emails and pictures to the township in 2016. Later in the meeting Spille stated there had been “61 documented vernal pools on the 25 Hewitt Road property at one time” and offered to provide his records to the township clerk.
Committeeman Brian Fitting said he sent a letter to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and that township engineers had conducted site inspections; he emphasized that “there are multiple entities that need to be involved.” Engineer Decker told the committee that road millings may be used as a sub-base if paved over and that millings must be sealed, responding to concerns about millings reportedly being used on the site.
Several residents raised permitting concerns. Mary Lynn Dupuis and John Dupuis of 19 Hewitt Road said the work appeared to be done without permits and described large dump trucks bringing sand and soil that obstructed local traffic. Mike Johnson said his forester advised that the clearing requires a forestry plan.
Public commenters urged the township to adopt local protections. One speaker emphasized the importance of a township tree ordinance so the municipality need not rely solely on state agencies for enforcement.
The committee recorded that engineers inspected the site and that Committeeman Fitting had made contact with NJDEP; the meeting record does not state whether any enforcement action, permit denial or formal investigation has been opened. Residents asked that the township post the NJDEP case number so others can report concerns; Carrie Corboy requested that information be shared.
What happens next: several residents said they would forward documentation to the clerk. Committee members indicated the township engineer and state agencies would be involved; the minutes do not record any formal enforcement action or a timetable for follow-up.
