Kirkwood Lake residents are still concerned about contamination
Residents surrounding Kirkwood Lake are still concerned about the lake’s condition and the possible harmful contaminants that are still in the lake. During a work session meeting on Monday, Aug. 20, the Voorhees committee members heard possible plans for the lakes cleanup.
Many residents shared a similar concern with the condition of the lake and the wildlife around it.
Representatives from the EPA presented the possible plan to resolve the issue left behind at the previous Sherwin Williams factory location.
According to EPA remedial project manager Ray Klimcsak, Sherwin Williams has completed all sampling of the soil, air samples in seven commercial buildings in the area, water samples and surface water samples.
Certain areas of the lake are more contaminated than others. Those specific areas are blocked off, limiting access to the water.
Although the necessary sampling was completed to show contamination within the area, the residents had further concerns for the condition of the lake and the wildlife.
According to officials, 75 percent of Kirkwood Lake is owned by Camden County while homeowners own the rest.
Residents claim to see dead animals on their properties, fallen tree limbs and a receding water line.
Kate Hadfield has been living on Kirkwood Lake since 1984. She appeared at the meeting to hear a resolution to the lakes contamination, but she left with a brief answer.
According to Hadfield, her home is one of approximately five that sits on the lake.
Laura Lyons moved into her home on Kirkwood Lake, but she spent her entire life on the lake.
“I bought the house for the lake,” Lyons said.
Both Hadfield and Lyons mentioned that the lake is no longer usable. With boats they can no longer use, Lyons said there is no longer a lake on Kirkwood Lake.
Voorhees Deputy Mayor Mario DiNatale also mentioned his concerns with the lake.
“It seems like it’s never-ending. When are they going to clean it?” DiNatale said.
Mayor Michael Mignonga also said he understands the lake needs to be cleaned.
However, the township does not own the property, making it impossible for the committee to step in and take action immediately.
“Physically, we can’t do anything as a township because we don’t own the property,” Mignogna said.
A resident of Kirkwood posed a question directly to the mayor asking if there is an expected time frame for something to happen.
Mignonga said there is no reason why the committee can’t set a follow-up meeting regarding the issue.
Town manager Larry Spellman said the township could help with this situation, but it can’t take the matter into its own hands. Spellman also wants answers and a resolution for the cleanup.
“They said the test would be done by2013,” Spellman said. “At the same token, that pollution has been there a long time. It’s been there for centuries.”
After the EPA’s presentation, Rutgers Center for Urban Environmental Sustainability (CUES) presented a plan to turn a 35-acre landfill into a park.
The $6 million dollar project will begin in phases, but the process cannot start until the township gets a landfill disruptive permit.
According to Dr. Wolfram Hoefer, professor of landscape and design at Rutgers School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, 20 percent of the park will be used for solar panels, a designated parking lot is in place, along with park features such as, three floating decks over looking the lake, a promenade lined with trees, and paths for both bicyclists and pedestrians.
According to Spellman, the solar panels will be used to help pay for the production in the park.
The park will also be filled with New Jersey native trees such as Thorn less Honeylocust, Red bud trees, Red maple trees and much more.
But the plan is just a presentation. Before the project can begin, the town must come up with the necessary funds to proceed.
