MIDDLETOWN, N.J. (PIX11) -- Middletown residents are breathing a sigh of relief Thursday, after the town planning board voted Wednesday night, denying the Fairview Cemetery Association from building a crematorium on its property.

For years, residents argued that the location was dangerously close to parks, schools, and neighborhoods with young children.

They feared that toxic chemicals released into the air, such as mercury, would have long-term health effects. Several people were considering selling their homes.

“We’d have to put up our house for sale,” said Middletown resident Andy Clark. “And we wouldn’t – I wouldn’t – want to live here.”

But neighbors’ grassroots efforts, including the creation of the Stop Fairview Crematorium campaign, proved successful.

“We were stuffing papers

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