I'm a marketing researcher. If the call truly was from Meadowlands Consumer Center, then it's legit. They're a legit marketing research agency. A researcher like me (living in Missouri or elsewhere) would contract with them to do local data collection in NY/NJ, or nationwide data collection for a larger study.
Did they say what the topic was? (Rhetorical question.) $150 is a good amount for a survey. I'm wondering if they contacted you for a consumer study or a study that's related to your profession. Would the survey be over the phone, or do you need to go somewhere to meet with an interviewer in person?