POLL: Fair Haven Council Opposes Closure of Science Laboratory

The Fair Haven Council votes “No” to the closing of a local Science Laboratory.

At the March 12 the Council adopted a resolution that opposes the proposed closure of the James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory at Sandy Hook.

The resolution that included a letter from the Little Silver Mayor, was read aloud by Mayor Benjamin Lucarelli. After the resolution was passed along with other consent agenda items, Council members voiced their opinions on the matter and compared it to Fort Monmouth.

“The fact is that the people of the state of New Jersey helped fund the placement of that facility,” said Council President Jon Peters. “It is absolutely outrageous that the Federal Government is again going to leave our community in the dark.”

Another point brought up by Peters, was the fact that if the facility closes, local students will lose access to a great learning facility.

Councilman Jerome Koch had a different opinion on the matter.

“Everybody should keep in mind that the Federal Government is in the same position we are in. Everybody’s programs are the best and no body wants to live without them.”

The facility’s facebook page, has its own mission of trying to remove the closure of the James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory from the 2013 budget. The page states that the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) is planning on closing the landmark facility in order to save two million dollars a year.