City Contests Recycler’s Operation

A court decision, made by the New Jersey Superior Court, March 30th, regarding Cinelli Iron and Metal, found that the scrap recycler complied with all city ordinances and was permitted to continue operating.

The decision continues a saga between the recycler and the city which began soon after the company began operations at its existing site around three years ago. The company leased the property that was already being used as a recycling facility.

According to Dave Barteck, vice president of Cinelli, the scrap recycler has taken many steps to be a good neighbor to residents surrounding the scrap facility.  including offering to plant trees, landscaping the property and keeping noise under the levels required by the city.

“We are trying to honor our commitments,” Barteck says.

According to an article by the Bergen County Record, city attorney Richard Salkin, confronted by several of the scrap-metal yard's residential neighbors during a July 16 council meeting, said the city appealed in April, within weeks of the judge's March 30 decision.

Residents say operations at the Cinelli Iron and Metal Co. cause the ground to shake so much that dishes break in their kitchens. The residents were concerned that the city never followed through on a promise to appeal.

On March 30, Judge Jonathan N. Harris ruled that the Zoning Board of Adjustment had no legal grounds last year to revoke a certificate of occupancy for the scrap yard.

Further court action may not take place until the end of this year. In the meantime Cinelli expects to continue to operate the yard, which handles both ferrous and nonferrous materials.