Planning Board Approves Asbestos Company Startup

The Montville Township Planning Board approved a short-term waiver for site plans so an asbestos abatement company can begin operations at 323 Changebridge Road. 

Pane Repic, owner of Jupiter Environmental Services, will move his office and warehouse to his newly purchased lot, formerly Olympia Properties.  The new business will be the first in the lot in about five years.  Repic proposes improvement to the property including a fence and evergreen shielding and possible interior renovations to accommodate future business offices. 

The Board members heard from Steven Sheppis, Repic’s attorney, who assured them that a full site plan by an engineer and architect would be provided in 90 days.  The Board approved the waiver pending the forthcoming full set of site plans and the stipulation that Repic may store only four vans on the outside lot.

The Board questioned Repic and Sheppis in detail about the handling of asbestos and possible contamination to the site.  The chief concern about asbestos, Chairman Lipari says, is protection to the community.

“We want to make sure that there is no asbestos coming from the sites that Repic is cleaning as he brings his equipment from the sites he cleans back to Montville,” Lipari says.  “We want to make sure the equipment is inspected and approved and is coming back without the possibility of asbestos deposits getting into the air, ground, or water.”

Several Board members asked Repic for documentation regarding equipment cleaning. They also prodded for details concerning removal of asbestos from his work sites.

Repic stated that asbestos is bagged and taken to a landfill by another company.  As part of state asbestos abatement guidelines, the job sites are visually inspected and air samples are tested.   Because his equipment is cleaned on site Repic assured the members there is no chance of contamination coming back to Montville.

If requested, he agreed to let the Board see his daily equipment cleaning and air testing logs.  Given the nature of asbestos, Lipari said he wants a rigorous request list similar to the Pinto garbage business that previously came before the Board.

The Board also questioned Repic about several tractor trailers, trucks and forklifts that will be stored at his facility.  While some of the equipment will be housed in the warehouse the large 12 ft. trailers prompted concerns about environmental aesthetics.  Repic proposes a fence and evergreen remedy.  However, the Board wants to see a full site plan before a fence is installed.

Sheppis agreed to return with a full site plan and to address concerns about screening.  Not only screening, Lipari added, “but concerns about the environment and the people who live in the area.” 

Board member Gary Lewis concluded that he is grateful someone is taking an underperforming property and planning to make a performing asset of it.