And what would happened the old Quik-Check ?
Another abandoned space ?
Is it possible to bring up issue of day workers - who now congregate at edge of train station property ? Who owns that property and are they concerned with amount of people standing and waiting to get picked up for work ? I am.

What would happen to Sultan Wok? The day laborers were told to leave the Quick Check lot, I was there one day when an officer was enforcing it. But now I get to see them every morning when I'm pulling into the train station. I'm sorry, but they create an eye sore of an image. To me it makes Matawan look like a slum. Get rid of them!!!!

Why not build where the 7/11 was & the adjacent lot, where Halley's Gas station used to be?
Speaking of day laborers, are these people illegal?

I rarely patronize any of the businesses on Main Street because of all the daylaborers. I used to go to that Quick Check at least 2-3 times a week but stopped because of all the day laborers standing around. It is not only an eye sore but it's uncomfortable for a woman to feel safe walking through a crowd of 40 guys. If Matawan wants to revitilize their downtown area, they need to find a way to get rid of them. Until they do, I'll be doing all my shopping and dining out on Rtes. 34, 35 and 36.

Valerie, I would think NJ Transit owns at least some of that property. Those first few parking spots by Atlantic Ave, the ones marked EAP, are for NJ Transit employees. Wonder if they are aware of the day laborers hanging out there.

I agree wholeheartedly with Matawan Resident. I will not get out of my car to shop at any of the businesses near the train station. The day laborers solidify the ghetto atmosphere in that area that creeps toward downtown Main Street. I don't imagine any business will prosper in that area until it's cleaned up. Matawan has gone from a quaint little town to a disgusting hole. Sad.

Everyone else has pretty much already made the points I was going to make. I live nearby although technically in Old Bridge, but I go through the downtown Matawan area often and USED to patronize businesses there. I stopped going to the 7-11 years ago because of the number of people hanging out outside. After 7-11 closed and they all moved over to Quik Check, I stopped patronizing that store and the liquor store next door, for the same reason. Despite signs warning against loitering there (both locations), I have seen police go by or even sit in a nearby lot, and never do anything about it. Now a few weeks ago there was a dead body found in an abandoned building by the train station. What has happened to Matawan in the last few years? I used to walk down Main Street to shop, and now it is on its way to becoming a "lock your doors and roll up your windows as you drive through" town.

Agree with all the above. Our mayor and town officials need to take action . We could have a thriving downtown but nothing is done its turning into the slums. Look at the train station the old one still stands then the next then the new it's like a hermit crab shedding its shell. It is a sad sight for people to see when the pull into to the matawan train station along with the numerous abandon buildings.

Great news! Maybe they'll fix the road. When I complained about the day laborers I was told you don't need a license to stand around. I agree about walking past them and stopped going to 7-11. Is it true they live under the bridge?

I recommend all of you come to the meeting on the 27th and voice your opinion in person rather the behind the PC at work....Most of your are clueless in your statements. !

It's because the higher ups get their marching orders from the State & Federal Government, not to arrest or deport them.

Clueless in our statements Nick? Just which statements are we clueless about? How can one be clueless when we are stating the truth, at least I know I am when I talk about driving to the train station, every morning, and there are no less than 25 day laborers at the Main Street entrance to the parking lot. They take the train from somewhere else and get off in Matawan, I see it every day! They don't even live in Matawan.They stare at you when you pull in hoping that you are going to hire them. It's a very uncomfortable feeling. Where and what time is this meeting. I'll be there!

Unfortunately Bernie, I fear that will fall upon deaf ears and blind eyes. I am going to write to NJ Transit though....that will probably end with the same results.

Bottom line for me is the value of my home, the quality of my life in this community, the safety of my family. I have lived in Matawan for 14 years, raised my kids here, sent them to the public schools, have a business here, pay property taxes. On Main Street, I see the young pregnant moms pushing a baby in a stroller while holding the hand of a two year old. I see the undocumented workers crowded at the corner of the train station every morning. I feel resentful and angry. It makes me sad to feel like that, but I do and have for a long time. The whole immigration issue starts right here in Matawan.

Valerie you have expressed my feelings to a T about seeing them pushing around one in a stroller, pregant with a 2 year old in tow. I too am resentful and angry.

We have to be careful about being resentful for these people as they are here trying to make a better life for themselves. What we need to be concerned about is why our Mayor & Council allow this to be occurring. Our Police Department needs to issue tickets. It is the PD's standard practice to run background checks on everyone they encounter even for being a witness for a complaint. I have met with Commanding Officer Lt. Gallo and he specifically told me this is there standard policy. It very easy for the PD to just drive by and do nothing as it is not going to be an easy task to enforce this matter. They will have to do this daily and make it a routine part of their patrol. Each Municipality operates independently and can either take on the challenges we all face during these tough economic times in our daily lives. It is Lt. Gallo's job to make these decisions... that is what Commanding Officer’s do. Wake up Matawan PD – it is quite clear you guys will never win a Super Bowl as just sitting back and doing nothing is not what professionals do who are successful. I know comments have been made about going to Council meeting but these guys are politicians and will nod their heads and maybe add it to next month’s agenda. Listen this is a direct violation of any and everyone’s civil rights if we do not feel comfortable going to these public places then let’s all start filing police reports. This will make the PD have to respond when they have these issues documented.

Loitering IS NOT illegal, circa 1985. The day laborers are on PRIVATE PROPERTY. Quick Check and NJ Transit are PRIVATE PROPERTY and persons cannot be removed. The police removed the laborers from 7-11, and were met by ACLU lawyers. We need the feds to help. I am a paralegal in Freehold, and we see this all the time.

Greed is what caused this, democrats want to coddle them & republicans want businessmen to have an ample supply of cheap labor. Until polticians attitudes changes on this issue it will continue to get worse. The dream act is going to be Reagans amnesty all over, a green light to flood in. Matawan is the hub of the njcl and elizabeth through perth amboy are the feeder sources.

Well I am not a lawyer so I cannot comment on the legal issues around loitering. The town has signs posted on the property in both English & Spanish. The sign clearly states Police Enforced. These Matawan Police do not report to the Federal Government they report to Matawan Borough and here in NJ each Municipality can act independently from the State Agencies. I have discussed this matter extensively with Mr. Donald Newman of the Lt. Governors Business Action Center (Phone # 609-984-9834). It is quite amazing the actual power and authority that each and every one of the 500 plus Municipalities we have here in NJ actually have. Mr. Newman has told me that the State cannot override Matawan Borough so our Mayor Bucaletto and Council have the power and authority to direct our Police Department namely Commanding Officer Lt. Jason Gallo to act and do want they need to do to correct this issue. I bet if this was happening outside Mayor Paul Bucaletto’s and Mayor Pasquale Menna our Borough Attorney’s plush office’s in Red Bank they would act on this. Here a solution how about our Mayor’s Paul Bucaletto and Mayor Pasquale Menna bring their office’s to Matawan ? I bet if this started affecting their personal business they have it straighten out immediately.

I understand the position of everyone here. The conundrum is that today cheap labor is essential to business. Mexicans are not wanted until we need them. I don't have a solution to the problem. I just feel a profound sadness reading the posts, because the discussion is about human beings struggling to find a place in the world we share. We could become emotionally imprisoned by the FEAR of people who look or behave different than us. That fear causes us to speak of the Mexicans like they're parasite or animals.

It's scary when they look at US. A Mexican woman has the courage to walk our sidewalk with her babies knowing she is hated. (SHE may feel scared of US!) Their presence here devalues our property. (Are we talking about termites or human beings?) They are mothers, fathers, sons and daughters. Would anyone feel safer if white men gathered hoping to be hired for a day's work?

Immigration policies must change! (Many poor Mexicans believe that in America's streets are paved with gold; that they will prosper here. After risking their lives to get here though, they see the legend is not reality. And in many cases, they are trapped by their circumstances and can't go back. Until something is done that is fair, and we can feel safe and secure, in our communities, it is for our own good that we change our perception of and adjust our attitude toward these people. Pass a Mexican on the street and smile at him/her. You'll be amazed at what happens that feels good.

Well of course they want a new location with gas, since the one on Cliffwood Rd near exit 120 is so wildly successful that the 7-11 lot is mostly empty now!

As for the day laborers, why all the hating? are these people actually nasty? They are in my experience hard working men looking to EARN money for their families.

People come this this country hoping for a better life. Ok. Once here, they may have unexpected difficulties and are unable to return to their homeland. Ok. They survive in the shadows, find work and live a fearful and insecure existence. They make the personal decision to have children. That's where I scratch my head. Having children when you - as the parents - are unsure if you will have work, a place to live, cannot speak the language, have no access to medical care...how does that fit in ? I am talking about every human beings sense of personal responsibility. Not ethnic hatred. Not valuing a home more than a person.

I stopped going to this Quikcheck as well due to these people hanging around there. The last straw was when i pulled up in my pick up truck and a bunch jumped in the back and others tried to open the doors. I was swarmed! Now i go to the WAWA in Old Bridge for my coffee and roll. Maybe Matawan should rasie our taxes and build them a "muster station" like Freehold did. (just being sarcastic)

Paul M. why not take a few into your home and let theme live their, or let theme stand in front of your house on your street... they earn money with out paying taxes, and using our health care system with out paying into it. Get a clue Paul....

Everybody opposed to the men congregating on Matawan's streets needs to shame any business, neighbor, or friend who hires these guys! If nobody every hires them, then they will stop standing around and move onto another town.

I am opposed to the "super gas" gas station Quick Chek being built at this location. This type of building belongs on a major highway like 35 or 36, not in small commercial/residential mixed use area. I am all for developing this section of Matawan, but would like to see small businesses and other establishments that won't make Matawan downtown become a "corporate" gas station location. Before we know it Main Street will be a high traffic, four lane, road and whatever "charm" is left of downtown Matawan will be gone!

Just a friendly reminder that the meeting is tonight at 7 at borough hall. There is a public comment portion of the evening if you would like to share your opinion about the application.

I concure with the majority of comments here. Large groups of men congregating anywhere is a deterrent for women and families. We want to gentrify the downtown area, we need those families to feel comfotable and confident. The bottom line is, if there was no work for these guys they would move on. Vet your contractors& lawn care services. Lets put our money where our mouths are.

There were no decisions made Wednesday - the application will be carried to Monday, March 4. Here is an article detailing the application as it has been presented so far: http://patch.com/A-2tR1