The U.S. Navy has abandoned a plan that would have permitted civilians to live in housing on Naval Weapons Station Earle in Monmouth County.
Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) announced that after nearly a year of negotiations with high-ranking officials of the U.S. Navy, the Pentagon has cancelled plans to open housing on NWS Earle to non-military personnel.
Smith made the announcement on Oct. 25.
The Navy’s plan to permit civilians to live in rental housing on an active base drew sharp criticism from municipal, county and state officials when it was initially announced.
“I want to thank the Navy for the commitment they made nearly a year ago at a meeting in my office to hear our concerns and to conduct their own due diligence in pursuing the issues we raised about security, safety and other impacts their plan could have had on our communities,” said Smith, who represents Colts Neck, Tinton Falls and other communities surrounding the base.
“They remained true to their word and as good neighbors they are taking their own actions to address their excess housing capacity without burdening the community and local taxpayer,” he said.
Smith credited former and current Navy officials for their professional approach to community objections to the plan, according to a press release.
He said that in December 2016, then-Assistant Secretary of the Navy Dennis McGinn instituted a 60-day suspension of the housing plan after a meeting in Smith’s Capitol Hill office with Navy officials, Smith, state Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) and Colts Neck Committeeman (now mayor) Russell Macnow.
At that meeting, Smith also presented the concerns of Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian Burry and a detailed letter from Tinton Falls Board of Education President Peter Karavites and Vice President Bill Holobowski, according to the press release.
Smith noted that the 60-day suspension was stretched to nearly a year in which regular discussions continued, the Navy studied the suitability and capacity requirements for housing on the base, and made internal adjustments to attract more military personnel to the units.
Some of the changes made by the Navy include offering units to single sailors and offering financial incentives for military families to live on the base, according to the press release.
After being informed of the Navy’s decision, Macnow shared the news with residents, saying, “Colts Neck is relieved the Navy saw the wisdom in denying its housing contractor the option of renting on-base housing to unaffiliated civilians.
“Colts Neck has steadfastly maintained that the security concerns engendered by allowing unaffiliated civilians to reside on the base far outweighed any potential benefit.
“We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Congressman Smith and Sen. Beck for working tirelessly to assure the continued safety of the residents of Colts Neck and surrounding communities, as well as the men and women of the United States armed forces who live and work on the base every day,” Macnow said.
Smith added, “After many months of a detailed review process that included base visits, study and meetings, Steven Iselin, the acting assistant secretary for installations, advised that he and his boss, the new Secretary of the Navy, Richard Spencer, remain mindful of the concerns of the community and have initiated discussions with the housing partner to begin the process of reducing the inventory.”
“I am particularly grateful to ASN Iselin and his team, as well as Capt. Pierre Fuller, commander of NWS Earle, and his predecessor Capt. Steingold, for their hands-on approach and their decision to put community concerns above a private contract that, in this particular case, has outlived its usefulness,” Smith said.
In an October 2016 letter to McGinn, Smith said the proposal to open up base housing was “fraught with security concerns, as well serious challenges to local systems” such as schools and emergency services.
Smith said given the fact that “our nation has been exposed to numerous national security threats in the homeland since the original signing of the lease agreement (with a third party) … it is evident this type of housing venture is no longer practical and in fact a security risk here at Earle.”
Commenting on the Navy’s decision, Beck said, “We used every tool in our toolkit to express our concerns that allowing civilians to rent housing on NWS Earle, an active ammunition depot, would create unnecessary security risks for our community.
“We met with the Assistant Secretary of the Navy and engaged a host of state and federal officials to achieve this outcome. We are elated the Navy was responsive to our concerns about maintaining the safety of the Colts Neck, Tinton Falls and Monmouth County communities,” she said.
The senator said the on-base housing at issue will still be available to active duty military personnel, retired military personnel and veterans.
