Monroe Township Hosts Neighborhood Meeting to Address Unknown Odors from Closed BFI/Republic Landfill
EPA and DEP Working Closely with Republic Services on Expedited Investigation
MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J. – October 2, 2020 – Monroe officials hosted a neighborhood meeting on October 1 at the Monroe Township Community Center to address the unknown odors that have been emitting from the closed BFI/Republic Landfill, prompting deep concerns in the nearby Inwood Estates community.
The 90-minute outdoor meeting, which included a video component for those opting not to attend, featured comments from EPA Region 2 Administrator Peter Lopez, who has been working closely with Monroe Mayor Gerald W. Tamburro to prompt an investigation into the source of the odor and to rectify it through the responsible party, Republic Services.
John Osolin, the EPA Project Manager assigned to the site, gave a chronological timeline of the events leading up to this meeting and explained how leachate from the closed landfill enters the Monroe Township sewer system. He further noted that all pumping into the sewer system ceased Thursday, September 24.
Al Hemma, Director of Operations for Republic Service’s Northeast Area, told residents that the company has been monitoring the landfill for 40 years and pledged to resolve the issue expeditiously. During this emergency investigation, the company is now pumping the leachate and then trucking it out of town for safe disposal.
Major odor issues occurred Sept. 16-18, prompting the response from Republic Services and township officials. Following a second “odor event” on Sept. 23-24, it was decided to shut down the system and begin hauling the leachate off-site, as opposed to discharging into the sewers.
Republic Services is studying the flow of leachate and reviewing all operations at the unmanned landfill to determine the root cause. The company will install a device to better control the flow through the sewer system so that no further surges occur.
Residents living in Inwood Estates, comprising parts of Lori, Michelle and Lani streets, expressed concern about the closed federal Superfund operation in their neighborhood.
Residents also called on Republic Services to produce for public review any leachate samples that are taken, and to conduct air and water testing in surrounding homes.
Mayor Tamburro assured residents that transparency and communication with the community would occur during the entire investigation. The Mayor was encouraged by the initial response to the residents’ concerns by Administrator Lopez, as well as the State Department of Environmental Protection, Republic and Monroe’s legislative representatives, including Sen. Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex), who participated in the meeting.
“This is just the beginning of the process,” Mayor Tamburro said. “We will continue to meet with residents, Republic Services, the DEP and the EPA to ensure the problems are identified and an immediate solution is enacted. We will also share all information we receive from the relevant agencies and Republic Services on our website.”
As transparency and public engagement are vital, Mayor Tamburro is asking concerned residents to contact Township Engineer Mark Rasimowicz at 732-605-9440 or
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All media inquiries may be directed to the Monroe Township’s Public Information Officer Stacey Kennedy at 732-521-4400 or