Military training exercises return to Piscataway despite mayor's objections
The training is scheduled to continue through Friday, with activity expected between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
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Military training exercises are underway in Piscataway this week, and Mayor Brian Wahler says he is concerned about the impact on residents and the use of two local properties for the drills.
The training is scheduled to continue through Friday, with activity expected between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Wahler says the exercises are a repeat of training that took place in Piscataway last summer, when several Black Hawk helicopters flew over the area at night and military personnel practiced building breaches.
The mayor says the activity caused significant noise and confusion among residents, particularly because some of the training took place late at night.
“Last year, I had a lot of calls,” Wahler said. “It was very unsettling for a lot of residents.”
"I don't understand why you got to pick Piscataway. Other places you can go. Why do you have to take two of our places?," said resident Robert Johnson.
This year, Wahler says he was told by State Police that helicopters will not be used and that breach training will not take place.
But he says the training is now expanding to two sites — one on Hoes Lane and another on Centennial Avenue. Wahler says both properties are adjacent to residentially zoned areas.
The mayor says his concerns are not about the military personnel conducting the training, but about land use. He says the township believes the training violates local zoning regulations and plans to take legal action against the property owners.
He says the township can issue summonses and fines of up to $2,000 per day, but argues that amount is not enough to discourage large property owners from allowing the training.
The mayor also questioned why Piscataway is being used for the exercises when Fort Dix, a large military installation in New Jersey, has space available for military training.
“We have a very proud history of supporting the military in this town,” Wahler said. “I just don’t understand the dynamics of that.”
Wahler says the township is working through the legal process but acknowledges the training could be over before the courts resolve the issue. He says the goal now is to prevent the exercises from returning for a third time next year.
While some residents share the mayor’s concerns, others say they do not object to the training as long as it does not disrupt the community.
State police are expected to have a presence around the perimeter of the training sites, according to the mayor.
