Grover’s Pond came into the national spotlight 70 years ago when Orson Welles’ “The War of the Worlds” radio drama first aired on Oct. 30, 1938. His science-fiction tale describes a Martian landing at Grover’s Pond in New Jersey. The broadcast famously incited nation-wide panic and drew crowds expecting to witness the unfolding events.

Visitors to Grover’s Pond also would observe something other-worldly, but the spectacle is hardly the destruction of life as we know it. Rather, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and West Windsor Township’s engineer are collaborating to restore Grover’s Pond as habitat for fish after years of silt build-up.

Restoration Teamwork

Metropolitan Environmental Services Inc. was subcontracted for the restoration project by bid-winner Select Transportation Inc., of Hilliard, Ohio. Select Transportation will be responsible for the dredging in this eight-month project. Portable dredges equipped with the latest cutter, suction and auger attachments will provide fast and efficient cleanup of the lake. Removing the heavy layers of silt will help create refuge areas for fish during the summer and winter.

Right Tools, Right Location

Working with its full line of Caterpillar equipment, Metropolitan will build the spoils area to contain and dewater the dredged materials.

As excavation superintendent at Metropolitan Environmental Services Inc., Erin Ziegler relies on Cat equipment and a Cat AccessAccount to guarantee each job is done right. Backed by Cat Financial, an AccessAccount provides a revolving charge account, enabling customers to pay for parts, services and rentals at Cat dealers nationwide. Because Metropolitan covers projects from Maine to Puerto Rico, having automatic credit with any local Cat dealer is essential to the business.

In planning for the Grover’s Pond project, Ziegler’s online search for the local Cat dealer connected him with Foley Rents and rental sales representative Bill VanScoy. “Foley has been so helpful and responsive to all of our needs,” Ziegler said, “whether it was to rent equipment on the fly or to come out and service a machine.”

Already familiar with Caterpillar before the pond restoration, Metropolitan owns and rents practically all Cat machines. “We know how this equipment operates, and it is reliable with few breakdowns,” Ziegler explained. “I always get good service. My Foley representative, Bill VanScoy, calls me back within the hour.” Metropolitan is currently renting Cat track-type tractors, an articulated truck, excavator, roller and a track loader from Foley for the Grover’s Pond restoration project.

Metropolitan Environmental Services Inc. is owned by Chicago-based Carylon Corporation, which specializes in industrial services, dewatering and excavation.

For more information, visit: http://www.caryloncorp.com.

This story was reprinted from Foley CAT’s PayDirt magazine, Fall 2008.

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