Conrail receives third summons from township Health and nuisance complaints continue at Motiva Rail Yard BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer WOODBRIDGE — Township health inspectors issued a third notice of violation to Conrail charging excessive train noise at the Motiva Refinery yard in Sewaren last week. “I have instructed inspectors assigned to the township health department to conduct around-the-clock monitoring of Conrail train traffic at the Motiva site and at other problematic locations,” said Mayor John E. McCormac. “And I also have instructed inspectors to issue summonses and violation notices consistent with legal procedures.” The township Department of Health is working in conjunction with the Middlesex County Air Pollution Control Program and the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office to monitor diesel emissions and air quality. “I am extremely concerned about the increased train activity at Motiva, which has resulted in an apparent increase in noise and air pollution and a resulting deterioration of the quality of life for the residents,” said McCormac. Township health officials filed the complaint on Dec. 3 in Municipal Court. The third notice charges Conrail with violating Township Ordinance 35-1 — creating a public nuisance — and charges that “train yarding noise creates an annoyance and interferes with the comfort and well-being of township residents.” The township health inspectors issued a complaint on Nov. 29 charging Conrail with violating municipal health ordinances and negatively impacting the quality of life for Sewaren residents bordering the train tracks at the Motiva refining facility. Inspectors issued a complaint for creating a public nuisance on Nov. 21. All three complaints allege that noise on, at, or near the Motiva train yard rail site has created a public annoyance and has negatively impacted the comfort and well-being of area residents. The complaints are pending hearings in Municipal Court. Conrail representatives have to be present at all three hearings in Municipal Court. The hearing for the first summons on Nov. 21 is scheduled for Jan. 8. The hearing for the Nov. 29 summons is scheduled for Jan. 22. The hearing for the Dec. 3 summons is scheduled for Jan. 29. Additionally, the Middlesex County Public Health Department issued a violation notice to Conrail on Oct. 26 alleging that Conrail “caused and allowed diesel exhaust fumes and odors to be emitted from three stationary idling locomotives … at such an intensity and duration as to result in a violation of air pollution standards.” The county health department will assess a financial penalty. Ward 1 Councilman Charles Kenny said township health inspectors will continue to monitor Conrail activity in the Sewaren area, and the Woodbridge Police Department will work to limit trains and rail activity blocking Woodbridge Avenue. Kenny is seeking a designation from the Federal Railroad Admin-istration to have certain rail crossings declared “Quiet Zones,” which will greatly reduce extended train whistle blasts at crossings throughout the township. “This is the closest item that we can get done,” he said. “I’ve gotten many complaints from residents who live in the apartment buildings behind the main library to residents who live in the Barron Gate apartments on Rahway Avenue. The quiet zones include intersections at Blair Road, Amboy Avenue, Rahway Avenue and Woodbridge Avenue. If this designation of quiet zones is granted, it will greatly reduce — if not altogether stop — the train whistle blowing.” Ward 3 Councilman Greg Bedard has received complaints from Port Reading residents about train-related noise, air pollution, and similar issues affecting Sewaren and Woodbridge residents. “Complaints regarding excessive train noise, air pollution and congested highway crossings due to stopped trains are an issue in Port Reading and elsewhere in the third ward,” said Bedard. The township is anticipating another public forum in the near future for Port Reading residents to express their train-related complaints and concerns. The Township Council hosted a public forum on Nov. 28 for Sewaren residents. The Township Council has pledged to continue to evaluate all potential solutions, including additional enforcement actions, in seeking to resolve the issues involving train-related issues. Residents are encouraged to report idling trains and diesel smoke emissions to the Middlesex County Air Pollution Control Program between 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday at (732) 745-8490. Residents can contact the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office before 8:30 a.m. and after 4:15 p.m. weekends and holidays at (732) 745-3271. Complaints regarding excessive noise should be directed to the township health department at (732) 855-0500. All information will remain confidential. After a call, a representative will come to a resident’s home and observe the situation. If the train is idling for 15 minutes or more, and there is diesel odor in the air, the health department may take appropriate action.