Millville holds Green Acres hearing on Westside pump station; mayor says DEP compensation unlikely

Mayor Mary Dixon opened a Green Acres scoping hearing for an "after-the-fact" diversion application for the Westside Pump Station at Patriot Park, saying the replacement structure occupies less acreage than the previous facility and the public meeting is intended to gather input for the final application. "The city is seeking approval for the after the fact relocation replacement of the Westside pump station located at Patriot Park," she read during the presentation.

Dixon told residents the project was completed more than a decade ago and that city attorneys and DEP staff have indicated the process should not impose compensatory requirements on the city. "They're not gonna ask for any diversionary compensation," the mayor said, adding the city expects the paperwork to be completed and grant processes to continue. Greg Keers, a resident of 409 Peach Drive, urged the commission to expedite the application so other river-improvement grant funding would not be held up: "I would encourage the city to really get this done as soon as they possibly can," he said. The public hearing was closed after Commissioners received public comment and the mayor said the city would work with Green Acres staff as it prepares the final submission.

The hearing focused on the scope of the diversion, the city's position that the replacement did not increase utility-dedicated acreage in Patriot Park, and possible forms of compensation if required by Green Acres rules. No motion or vote was required at the hearing stage; the mayor said the city will provide written and oral public comments to the Green Acres program for consideration.