Jackson Conservation Coalition, Jackson, NJ (2026)

07/17/2026

☣️In 1972, Jackson Township residents of the Legler neighborhood were unknowingly exposed to toxic chemicals leaching into their well water from a municipal landfill— including benzene, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethane and dichloroethylene, or ‘industrial solvents’ that led to various residents contracting cancer and other liver or renal disorders.

⚠️On December 20, 1978, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection declared a public health emergency in Jackson Township, ordering residents of the ‘Legler’ neighborhoods to stop using water from their wells entirely.

💧For nearly 18 MONTHS, the community relied on temporary water sources: initially hauling water from tankers until receiving plastic-lined containers— later spigot-equipped containers delivered from water trucks until a new public water supply system could be constructed, where residents had to pay a $630 “hookup fee”.

👨🏻‍⚖️Legal action against Jackson Township, led by a coalition of residents — resulted in a $17+ million jury award, [Ayers v. Township of Jackson, 106 N.J. 557 (1987)]. To find out more about the litigation details or even the incident in general — go to https://www.jacksonconservationcoalition.org/?m=1

🌲The Legler incident is a sobering reminder that groundwater contamination is very real and can devastate communities. It underscores the need for strict environmental oversight, proper septic & waste management — and proactive planning to ensure that residents’ health and drinking water are never compromised again. If you have knowledge of this incident, please reach out to us!

🏥In 1993, the New Jersey Department of Health released a 48-page Public Health Assessment which annotates the chronological order of events — which you can find athttps://www.nj.gov/health/ceohs/documents/eohap/haz_sites/ocean/jackson_twp/NJ_Jackson%20Township%20Landfill_PHA-F_Post%20August%201993.pdf

🌊Did you know the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer is DIRECTLY beneath Jackson Township? Find out more about how many trillions of gallons it contains and how it supplies drinking water to the entire southern part of New Jersey, here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DDQMzEk6b/?mibextid=wwXIfr

06/28/2026

💸Millions of dollars from Jackson Township’s ‘Open Space Natural Land Trust’ account have been allocated towards playgrounds and recreation-related expenses over the last two years under then-Council President Jennifer Kuhn, including a particular ~$347,000 playground set that carried an additional $156,089.25 in INSTALLATION costs alone. Other playground sets were priced at $209,090 with $94,090,50 in additional installation costs.

🛝Who owns “BEN SHAFFER RECREATION INC” + “BEN SHAFFER & ASSOC., INC”?

🏫 Many of these playgrounds are located on properties not directly owned by Jackson Township, such as various public schools owned separately by the Board of Education. This is particularly concerning given the sale of two Jackson public schools in 2025 — in addition to private-school student enrollment beginning to outnumber public school numbers.

👨🏻‍⚖️Township Attorney Greg McGuckin also confirmed that any Open Space expenditures—INCLUDING the playgrounds or turf field installations—sometimes involve bond financing, debt services, or other forms of loan-borrowing DESPITE the Open Space account receiving quarterly LEVY TRANSFERS DIRECTLY FROM the TAXPAYERS.

🌲The Open Space Trust Fund was not established as a slush fund—it was originally created to support the acquisition and development of raw, undeveloped lands for conservation.

🗣️The resident, in regards to broader overspending— also referenced the approximately $350,000 salary paid to Township Attorney Greg McGuckin, who simultaneously serves and receives compensation from multiple other municipalities, before having his microphone muted due to being over his allotted time of public comment. The Council interestingly made a motion to end public comment entirely, despite multiple other residents in attendance ready to speak.

🎤PUBLIC COMMENT SHUT DOWN AFTER: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1LVe2pjRcP/?mibextid=wwXIfr

📚AUDIT (1/?): https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18JssqP1FM/?mibextid=wwXIfr

06/26/2026

👨🏻‍⚖️AUDIT [1/?]: JACKSON TOWNSHIP OPEN SPACE NATURAL LAND TRUST ACCOUNT: 05/2024 to 07/2024 under then-Council President Jennifer Kuhn

📉 LOOK as the Jackson Township Open Space Trust Fund balance declines from approximately $6,000,000 to $4,775,000, driven by substantial expenditures to vendors BEN SHAFFER & ASSOC., INC. and BEN SHAFFER RECREATION INC. for various ‘playground-related projects’ — notably a $346,865 playground set that carried an additional $156,089.25 INSTALLATION fee.

⚠️ It’s important to remember that in 2025, the Jackson Township Board of Education SOLD TWO SCHOOLS due to financial deficits. Jackson Township itself DOES NOT OWN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS. This raises an important question: if taxpayer dollars collected through an “Open Space” tax are being used to fund improvements on properties that the Township does not own, what happens to those investments when those properties are sold or transferred? The land isn’t preserved, the public doesn’t retain ownership—and the taxpayers who funded those expenditures are left with nothing to show for it.

💰 Moreover, based on public statements made by Township Attorney Gregory McGuckin— it appears likely that some of these recreation expenditures may have been FINANCED through BONDS or other LONG-TERM DEBT INSTRUMENTS rather than paid entirely upfront. This means that Jackson taxpayers could ultimately be paying principal and interest on these playground projects for decades to come— potentially extending the financial burden of non-conservation expenditures well into the future.

06/24/2026

🤐 Public comment was PREMATURELY SHUT DOWN by the Jackson Township Council following a heated debate with resident Adam Haidi regarding QUESTIONABLE EXPENDITURES from the Township’s Open Space Trust Fund— watch until the end and see the evidence in the comments!

🛝Concerns were raised regarding nearly $2,500,000 in PLAYGROUNDS and recreation-related expenses over the last two years with vendor ‘Ben Shaffer’, including a particular ~$347,000 playground set that carried an additional $156,089.25 in INSTALLATION costs alone. It was also revealed that nearly $800,000 was associated with synthetic turf field projects and maintenance. Interestingly, some of these playgrounds are located on properties not directly owned by Jackson Township, such as various public schools owned separately by the Board of Education. This is particularly concerning given the sale of two Jackson public schools in 2025 — Rosenaur and Christa McAuliffe.

👨🏻‍⚖️Township Attorney Greg McGuckin also confirmed that any Open Space expenditures—INCLUDING the playgrounds or turf field installations—sometimes involve bond financing, debt services, or other forms of loan-borrowing DESPITE the Open Space account receiving quarterly LEVY TRANSFERS DIRECTLY FROM the TAXPAYERS.

🤯With only seconds remaining before the Council cut off his microphone, the resident raised attention to broader municipal spending priorities, including the hiring of Business Administrator Charles Terefenko at a salary of approximately $300,000 per year, along with the provision of a taxpayer-funded vehicle and fuel allowance. The resident also referenced the approximately $350,000 salary paid to Township Attorney Greg McGuckin, who simultaneously serves and receives compensation from multiple other municipalities.

🚩As seen on video, Council Vice President Giuseppe Palmeri made a motion to close public comment, which was seconded by Council President Mordechai Burnstein—effectively ending public participation and preventing numerous residents in attendance from having an opportunity to speak.

💸Taxpayers deserve clear, transparent accounting of how public funds are allocated and spent. The Open Space Trust Fund was not established as a slush fund—it was originally created to support the acquisition, development and maintenance of lands for conservation.

🇺🇸Regardless of where residents stand on these expenditures, transparency, accountability, and meaningful public participation remain essential components of good government.

06/15/2026

💚Jackson🤝Brick💚

🧼 Contaminated water doesn’t stop at municipal borders; what affects one community can impact many others downstream — no pun intended.

🌊 Save Barnegat Bay helped protect Jackson’s watersheds and forests long before our organization existed — and we proudly echo their health and safety concerns attached to this detrimental asphalt project.

06/15/2026

⚠️ WARNING: 🐢 TURTLE ROADKILL 🏎️ @ LAKE ENO, JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ 😔

🚜 As overdevelopment continues to intensify throughout Jackson Township, wildlife-vehicle collisions are becoming increasingly common. While adventuring Lake Enno, we came across two turtles that had been crushed by vehicles near the roadway— one appearing to be an Eastern Painted Turtle, and another unidentified species.

🌊 Lake Enno is one of Jackson’s oldest wildlife refuges and among its most ecologically significant natural areas. Despite its well-documented environmental importance—including a DEP-protected watershed—there is little-to-no signage warning motorists of wildlife crossings.

👀 Watch for movement along road edges and shoulders!

🗣️Residents have long expressed concerns about the minimal buffer between the roadway and park enthusiasts — given the down-hill 45-mph speed limit with reduced visibility during sunset hours, when many wildlife species are most active.

🦌 If one animal crosses, others may be following close behind.

🙏🏻 We are urging drivers to exercise extra caution near Lake Enno and other environmentally sensitive areas throughout Jackson. We are also calling upon Jackson Township and Ocean County government officials to immediately install wildlife-crossing warning signs near all parks, wildlife refuges and other areas identified as ecologically sensitive by the Township Environmental Commission.

🚗 Slow down and stay alert—especially at dawn and dusk!

🌳For motorists, this may seem like just another stretch of road. For wildlife— these roads cut directly through their home amidst the search of food, water and shelter for their young. Remember…these animals do not understand traffic patterns, horns or headlights.

📌 NOTE: the Jackson Conservation Coalition is currently evaluating the feasibility of installing water-to-land access ramps to help wildlife safely navigate areas impacted by habitat fragmentation. Preliminary research already shows neighboring townships successfully receiving grant funding to implement similar initiatives.

📣 SHARE YOUR STORY!

06/12/2026

🌲Nestled within Jackson Township, the Forest Resource Education Center serves as one of New Jersey’s most important hubs for forestry education, environmental stewardship, and ecosystem research. Operated by the New Jersey Forest Service— the center helps educate residents, students, landowners and public officials about the science behind forest management and the critical role healthy forests play in protecting our quality of life.

💚Recently passed legislation creates a new program that will help preserve private forests by limiting future development, while respecting private property rights. The program will support long-term stewardship of forested land for agricultural, silviculture and horticultural uses.

🌳The State Agriculture Development Committee is now seeking public input to help shape how this program will work. Woodland landowners, farmers and New Jersey residents are encouraged to complete a brief survey and share their thoughts on woodland preservation easements for the State Agriculture Development Committee Woodland Easement Program.

🗣️The State Agriculture Development Committee is now seeking public input to help shape how this program will work. Reponses will help guide the development of regulations that will implement this new law.

📚Take the survey today: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=0cN2UAI4n0uzauCkG9ZCp_YrY8FGVSFIgpoXsHPfQU9UQ0M1VktQNFJKTVgwM1ZPVVk3MFZEOEtESi4u

🌳 New Jersey’s forests are far more than scenery— they filter air pollutants, absorb carbon dioxide and recharge groundwater supplies, even reducing flooding and stabilizing soils for native fauna and flora! In a community like Jackson Township—surrounded by extensive Pinelands forests, wetlands, and environmentally sensitive lands—these natural systems form the backbone of our ecological infrastructure.

The forests we protect today are the legacy we leave tomorrow. 🌲

05/17/2026

🤔Would continual excavation and digging potentially impact nearby private wells? A concerned Jackson resident since 1959 reached out to Jackson Conservation Coalition and asked if we would walk the forests backing up to his property to observe the “ongoing construction activity for approximately 6-7 years" — particularly extensive dirt and soil extraction that appears to still be taking place off of West Commodore Blvd. Across the way is Highway 195, where the resident says you once used to be able to see the Metedeconk River.

05/11/2026

🌊The Kirkwood-Cohansey Aquifer, sitting directly beneath Jackson Township, is one of New Jersey’s most critical natural resources — a shallow, highly permeable groundwater system containing an estimated 17 TRILLION GALLONS of exceptionally clean water. It supplies nearly all local drinking water, including thousands of private wells, and has earned the designation of “Outstanding Natural Resource Water” by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

😱Although the aquifer recharges relatively quickly, its sandy, porous soils make it extraordinarily vulnerable to septic loading, stormwater contamination, and nitrate pollution. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has already documented declining water levels in the Piney Point Aquifer and warned that, within Ocean County, the Kirkwood-Cohansey system is now at or near full allocation.

🗺️This aquifer is part of a network of eight major South Jersey aquifers that collectively provide roughly 75% of the region’s freshwater supply. It is also hydraulically connected to deeper systems, including the Atlantic City 800-foot aquifer — meaning contamination originating in Jackson Township can migrate far beyond municipal borders.

🚜High-density development and irresponsible planning— particularly septic-based projects within Pinelands corridors, wetlands, or conservation-overlay zones — places this aquifer at immediate and potentially irreversible risk.

⛔️Development obligations must never be assigned to lands that compromise aquifer recharge capacity or threaten the integrity of private drinking wells. Once a drinking-water aquifer becomes contaminated or is drawn down beyond recovery, the damage is effectively permanent — and no mandate justifies sacrificing public access to clean water.

💡 REMEMBER: development in YOUR TOWN can directly impact NEIGHBORING municipalities. Residents should always inform friends and families of other Townships when a proposed project may threaten shared environmental resources! It takes a village!

💚Please consider following us , sharing or donating to our organization if you align with our mission!

04/29/2026

🆘FRANK APPLEGATE LAWSUIT UPDATE, MAY 1ST EMERGENCY FILING👨🏻‍⚖️

🤬Ocean County Superior Court Judge Francis R. Hodgson Jr. has made clear that without a “certified transcript”, the case cannot proceed and will be DISMISSED despite its VALIDITY.

😱We estimate the cost of the transcript to be ~$3,000, given the November 17, 2025 Planning Board hearing spanned over 5 HOURS.

😢This is the REALITY many residents face—being PRICED OUT of PURSUING JUSTICE for legitimate violations, regardless of MERIT.

🌲 This case involves explicit procedural deficiencies tied to the final site plan approval of a 50,000 sq. ft. dormitory with ON-SITE SEPTIC traversing a tributary of the METEDECONK RIVER—including the absence of a FLOOD HAZARD AREA permit nor application, an issued Letter of Interpretation (LOI), and official Soil Conservation District certification—alongside the public health risks of sewage impacts to a Category 1 body of water, ultimately- the Barnegat Bay.

🦅Resident-plaintiff Chris Podolsky continues to proceed pro se, without legal representation. JCC is seeking to help strictly alleviate transcript costs through community-supported fundraising— any funds raised beyond what is needed will remain with JCC to continue advancing its environmental mission statement.

🌊If you care about protecting our community’s waterways and ensuring accountability in land-use decisions, please consider donating (tax-deductible) or simply sharing this post. We’re proud of Chris for continuing to stand up for the future of Jackson’s environment and New Jersey as a whole.

🙏🏻DONATE USING THE BUTTON BELOW OR OUR PAYPAL: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=T8VZBZMLVGZ2A

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Jackson Conservation Coalition

07/17/2026

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