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Residents press Union County on Ashbrook golf course and Clark Reservoir wildlife; county points to DEP permits
Summary
Multiple residents urged Union County commissioners to fix long‑running problems at Ashbrook Golf Course and to address dead turtles and debris at Clark Reservoir; county officials said DEP permits constrain the schedule and that contractors and Fish and Wildlife are involved in relocation efforts.
Residents packed the public‑comment portion of the meeting to press the Union County Board of County Commissioners on longstanding problems at Ashbrook Golf Course and newly reported wildlife harms at Clark Reservoir.
Dennis Alaco of Summit said he and other golfers are frustrated by what he called a "lack of transparency, accountability, and communication" about the course's condition and remediation. "Conditions on the course continue to deteriorate to the point where Ashbrook is no longer playable as a full 18 hole facility," Alaco said, and urged clearer oversight and a timetable for repairs.
Fran Wilson, president of the men’s association at Ashbrook, and other members of golfing groups described repeated closures, persistent flooding near Holes 14–16, and unanswered communications with the course operator and county staff. Bob Gascon and Matt Laughlin said residents and association members are willing to assist with cleanup work but want a clear timeline and visible progress.
At the same meeting, Daniel McCaffrey of Clark described dozens of dead turtles found along the reservoir shoreline after the contractor drained water for a project and asked whether the firm contracted to relocate aquatic life had fulfilled its duties and whether the county would clean newly exposed debris.
County manager Ed Oatman and staff responded that some project phases are constrained by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection permits and that additional permits are required to address the final flood‑prone holes on the course. Oatman said county staff have spent millions on Ashbrook remediation over several years and that the county is continuing permit, design and construction work.
Regarding Clark Reservoir, county staff told the board a subcontractor relocated nearly 4,000 fish and that Fish and Wildlife is involved; officials said they will assess the turtle reports and examine options for debris removal at the waterfall edge once permitting allows additional work.
Commissioners acknowledged resident frustration and pledged continued work and follow‑up. Several commissioners urged civil discourse during public meetings and said they would pursue additional communication and coordination with residents and with state agencies as required by permitting.
