TOMS RIVER – The Ciba-Geigy property has been many things in Toms River. Decades ago, it started out as a welcome employer. Then, as people realized what the dye company’s pollution was doing, it became a scourge on the area. It’s now been dragged into the 2019 mayoral election.

  Very little is going on there now except testing and environmental remediation. But it’s the future that people are concerned about.

  Councilman Daniel Rodrick has spoken out against future residential development on the site, citing emails he had with business administrator Don Guardian. In the exchange, Rodrick asked about the town’s redevelopment plan for the land, and whether developer Jack Morris was part of any negotiation.

  Guardian responded “We connected Jack with BASF.” BASF is the current owner. He discussed the current litigation regarding how much the property is assessed at, then continued: “After there is a court settlement I think you’ll see interest in developing 800 or so acres. We have also encouraged a solar company to engage BASF on some of the property…”

  Rodrick has put out campaign information suggesting that as many as 6,400 homes could be built on that land. This is not a plan in the works. Rather, this number comes from his own calculations based on how many units could be built there, given the rate of growth in the northern section of town neighboring Lakewood.

  Rodrick, a Republican, is running for mayor. He is competing against Councilman Maurice Hill and former Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato in the primary in June. The winner will face off against Democrat Jonathan Petro in November.

Click to Continue Reading Full Story (Jersey Shore Online)