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MUA Hits State Septic Tank Plan

Seen Costly To Users

SWAINTON - The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection’s policy curtailing the •disposing of septic waste at unlined landfills came under fire last Wednesday by the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority, which called the state’s plan "suddenly announced." Acting MUA Executive Director George Marinakis said latest newspaper reports indicated all septic waste during the off-season must be disposed of at the Lower Township MUA wastewater treatment plant in Fishing Creek During peak times, including the summer season, the excess septic material must be transported to the Atlantic County Regional facility for disposal. THE MUA said that report came on the heels of a February announcement that the DEP had decided to adopt a new septic disposal policy requiring Cape May Count i a ns to use the Lower Township and Ocean City’s Third St. plants for disposal. All excess septage that couldn’t be handled at these facilities was to be taken to Monmouth County for disposal. "At best, this latest word is more moderate.” Mr. Marinakis stated, in an MUA press release. "However, we can’t believe the state has promulgated a significant new policy in February, holding a public hearing on March 20 and putting it into effect on March 26 — and yet they still have not advised the municipalities ‘ and septic haulers in the county of the proposed

changes.

“WE ARE concerned that the state has failed to recognize two important programs which this authority is currently undertaking and which would allow for a more orderly transition from the present method of septage disposal,’’ Mr. Marinakis remarked. The county MUA’s Solid Waste Management Plan calls for a lined landfill to be completed in early 1963. In addition, the Seven Mile Beach/Middle Region wastewater treatment (Page 3 Please)

SUPER LOW TIDE last month provided this rare fish-eye view of Cape May. That’s Congress Hall at the right, and that’s more than 29 yards of dry beach in front of the end of the Broadway groin where normally the youngster

would risk being splashed by breaking waves. Such tides, and their super high tide counterpart, occur when new or full Ifcoon concurs with moon in perigee (when Earth's only natural satellite is closest In its monthly orbit). That happens again this Saturday.

Social Security Checks

Drill Meet

Millions of Dollars Arrive Here Monthly

WILDWOOD - Benefits to Cape May County residents receiving Social Security have increased almost 182 per cent in the past seven years while the number of recipients has gone up by almost one-

third.

According to Del ton Brooks, manager of the Social Security office here, the number of individuals receiving Social Security benefits in the county has increased "drastically." He also pointed out that in each of two areas of the county alone - Ocean City and the Wildwoods - residents currently are receiving approximately $1 million a month in benefits. "EVEN MORE DRASTIC than the increase in population is the increase in dollars paid to county residents,': Mr. Brooks said. In 1972 some $22 million was paid out to Jersey Cape residents. Last year that annual figures had risen to over $62 million—or an average of more than $5

million a month. In 1972 there were about 16,000 individuals throughout Cape May County receiving retirement, survivor or disability benefits through Social Security By last year the number of recipients had increased to over 21,000. "This represents an increase of approximately 13 per cent," the Social Security manager noted. BASED UPON THESE figures, the average amount of total benefits for the year per recipient increased almost 115 per cent—from $1,375 per year in 1972 to $2,952 a person last year. With these millions of dollars coming into the county each month, it is no wonder that many banking institutions are advertising for direct deposit of Social Security checks. And the longer than usual lines at supermarkets and shopping malls at the beginning of the month is also explained by the fact that Social Security checks arrive in the Jersey Cape the first of the month.

At School r March 15 COURT HOUSE/ - The Middle Township High School Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps unit will host a drill meet at the high school gym here beginning Saturday morning. Competition will be featured among Drill Teams of schools and academies from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Virginia, and Ohio. Individual competition in the all-day event will consist of the manual of Arms, Trick Maneuvers and other drills. There will be team competition between units averaging 20-30 members on a team and there will also be color guard competition.

Prove It, Hurley Says MILLVILLE - Assemblyman James R. Hurley wants the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to prove the need for its announced plan mandating the trucking of domestic septic wastes to distant pbints as feasible, economical and necessary. And he wants a public hearing in the area affected. and not in Trenton as announced The Cape-Cumberland Assembly man challenged the proposal in a telegram to DEP ‘Commissioner J?rry English following what he termed a "wave of protests from his constituents from ail parts of his district.” COMPLAINTS to his office followed news that the DEP will require all septic waste in Cape May County to be treated at the Lower Township MUA plant Cumberland County's septage. except, for Vineland and Maurice River Towaship, according to report, would go to the Atlantic County facility in Atlantic City. In his telegram to Commissioner English. Assemblyman Hurley said he was concerned over public reaction to what he termed a seemingly illogical and costly arrangeinent and especially by the suddeness of the move which has left little timp for explanation or preparation. "ITS NECESSITY must be proven to the people,” •Mr Hurley said. "The seeming haste with which this regulation would go into effect is another cause of dissatisfaction. Was proper consideration given the cost factor 9 "In both Cumberland and Cape May Counties, solid waste management and wastewater treatment plans primarily directed by the commissioner have been formulated and sent to her for approval. While these working solutions are already underway, it seems, the DEP wants to ignore them and disrupt citizens' lives, cost them more money, and saddle all of us with hasty and unnecessary policies.” the Assemblyman charged.