Hornik: State Has 'Gone Silent' On Marlboro State Hospital Deal

Despite recent news reports stating the Marlboro State Hospital site cleanup is on track, Mayor Jon Hornik said he hasn't heard as much as a whisper about the project since November.

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and Mayor Jon Hornik announced last November that the state would clean up the 411 acre site, including demolishing 600,000 square feet of buildings, at no expense to Marlboro taxpayers. .

Guadagno said in November, "We will be sure that [the property] is opened on time and under budget."

The Lt. Gov. also said in November that full demolition and cleanup plans had not yet been coordinated, but the Christie Administration would work closely with the Department of Environmental Protection to complete the project by 2014.

But Hornik hasn't heard a word since November.

"The state has gone silent on us. I have a feeling it has to do with pending elections and re-elections," the Marlboro Mayor said. "Treasury has shut down the process as far as we can see."

Patch and the Asbury Park Press , based on statements from the State Department of Treasury.

State Department of Treasury Spokesman Andy Pratt is now saying the state does not want a timeline on the project.

“With properties with buildings this old and with some historical significance, it’s going to take time, and no one wants to put a time frame on it,” State Department of Treasury Spokesman Andy Pratt told the Asbury Park Press.

And Hornik said he doesn't see the state honoring any historical buildings. Marlboro was informed the U.S. Military would be using the property, as it has in the past, for military training, which includes using explosives in and around the buildings on the property.

"I'm disappointed in this response," Hornik said, referring to Pratt's statement. "They way I look at it, they held a press conference, they made a commitment."

The estimated cost of the cleanup is $27 million, which will be shouldered by the state. 

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