By Anne Levin

As a result of a joint investigation by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the Princeton Police Department into illegal dumping at the Princeton Sewer Operating Plant, a former municipal employee has been charged with bribery in the second degree.

Thomas Hughes, who until June 6 was the supervisor at the facility on River Road, was charged “for accepting payments to influence his official duties,” according to a police report issued this week. Hughes is scheduled to appear in Mercer County Superior Court on June 27. He allegedly allowed contractors to dump materials, including dirt and asphalt, at the facility.

In addition, the head of the Department of Infrastructure and Operations, which oversees the Sewer Operating Division, has been placed on paid leave while the investigation continues.

“There may be further actions taken as the investigation proceeds,” Mayor Liz Lempert wrote last Friday in her weekly email update. “The municipality has called in the Mercer County Prosecutor’s office, and is committed to a full and thorough investigation and appropriate disciplinary measures. The Council and I are angry about the misuse of the River Road site.  Our goal is to support a thorough investigation, to uncover any systemic failings, and put new procedures in place to safeguard our operations.”

First reported by Planet Princeton late last month, the allegations of improper dumping have resulted in Princeton’s Health Department, along with state and county environmental officials, inspecting the site to determine whether violations of environmental regulations have occurred. Last week, the town received a report from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) saying materials were disposed of at the facility without proper approvals. A full inspection report has not yet been filed, according to the agency’s website.

“The municipality is in the process of engaging the services of a licensed site remediation specialist to advise on necessary cleanup actions,” Municipal Administrator Marc Dashield wrote in a statement this week. “The municipality intends to terminate the contract with ICUNJ, the contractor for the Linden and
Spruce road project, based on its improper dumping of materials at the River Road site. The municipality is exploring all avenues for holding all contractors responsible for damages incurred by the town.”

Among other allegations is a charge that a $300,000 jet truck was used to help a contractor install new sewer pipes at a private residence. According to published reports, a driver employed by the municipality admitted he was dumping materials removed from the site of the Mary Moss Playground renovation, located at John and Lytle streets, at the sewer facility. While contractors are responsible for disposing of dirt from job sites, it was alleged that about 40 truck loads were dumped at the River Road site in exchange for $75 a load.

Further investigations are in process. “The municipality continues to cooperate with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office as they evaluate criminally-related matters,” Dashield said.