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MENDHAM
TOWNSHIP DIRECTORY
www.mendhamtownship.org Town
Hall ( Penny Newell,
Clerk Public
Works/Road Department ......(973)543-4509 Construction
& Zoning Office ....…..(973)543-7464 Municipal
Court .................………..(973)543-7526 Police
Dept. (Non-emergency only)..(973)543-2581 EMERGENCY ONLY...... Township
Committee Kathryn
A. Porter, Mayor.……………..(973)543-4003 Robert
D. Pierson, Deputy Mayor..........(973)543-5606 Sante
D'Emidio………………….…..…(973)543-8590 Brian
J. Phelan……… ………….……..(973)895-3031 Jack
Schrier.…………..……………….(973)543-2447 Vote
“Yes” for to
help historic preservation On Election Day, Tuesday November 5, you will see a referendum on
the ballot which asks that a small portion of the county’s existing
open space tax go to help historic preservation. There are many benefits to the
county in general and to our town in particular. For one, it will enhance the
Township’s ability to save structures with important links to our history,
including the Nesbitt Mill (across from Sammy's Ye Olde Cider Mill Restaurant),
which has twice been listed as one of the 10 Most Threatened Historic Sites in
the county. Please note that your “Yes” vote WILL NOT increase the open space tax.
è
Tuesday November 5 Is Election
Day --
Your Vote Will Count! ç TOWNSHIP NEWS ·
“ ·
One Way to Stay Out of Court ·
Joyce Kilmer Got it Right … ·
Library Wins July 4th Award ·
Korean War Veteran Medals ·
Township Committee Aids Schools ·
Recreation Dept. Has Full Calendar ·
Brush Pick-Up and HazMat Disposal Dates ·
Mayor's Report: "What a
Wonderful Town!"
... and more Vol. XI, No.
2
AUTUMN 2002 Report from the Mayor Thank you, for this wonderful town! Dear
Friends: Despite
the extreme heat I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing, pleasurable time this past
summer. Drought I
wrote to you last Spring about the lack of rainfall and the drought conditions.
Well, here it is October and we have experienced one of the driest summers on
record. Our groundwater levels have diminished by at least 14 inches. Watering
restrictions were imposed on the entire state in March. After some refreshing
late Spring rains the State lifted the ban somewhat allowing for watering of
lawns and plantings on an odd/even basis and car washing on weekends.
In late August, due to the extended time without any precipitation, the
state called for greater restrictions that ban the watering of lawns and car
washing. Residents may water their trees and shrubs on an odd/even-day basis. Most
of our Township residents have wells and therefore are dependent on underground
water sources. These restrictions are set forth to insure that we all have water
for our personal usage. I ask that you practice water conservation as a part of
your daily lives. Being an avid
gardener and having many shrubs and trees it hurts me to watch them wilt and beg
for water. On
September 19th This
is a major preservation project that has been several years in the making, and
which just earned the 1st
Place Watershed Management Award from the NJ DEP. The
Park Commission will extend Patriot’s Path from Dismal Harmony through the
reservoir property into Funding
came from the Open Space trust funds of our town, “ What
a wonderful response to our call for volunteers to help create Mendham Township
Day! Thanks to a large number of volunteers Mendham Township Day will take place
at the Seeing Eye property on Saturday, October 12th with Sunday, October 13th
the rain date. Lots
of fun activities are planned for the whole family so put on your hiking shoes
and comfortable clothes and plan to spend the afternoon at Seeing Eye with your
friends and neighbors. Start looking up your favorite cookie or cake recipes as
there will be a “Family Bake Off.” Nesbitt
Mill The
Township has been negotiating with Sammy Fornaro to purchase the Nesbitt Mill,
located in Ralston on Route 510, and often better known as “Sammy’s Cider
Mill.” (Not to be confused with the restaurant across the road.) This mill is
an important part of our 252-year history. It is listed on the County’s 10
Most Threatened Historic Sites. We have made an application to the Morris County
Open Space Trust for funds to help the Township purchase the site and start the
preservation process. The act of purchasing the Mill site is key to its
preservation. Ralston
Playground The
new playground in Ralston is complete and ready for all of our children to
enjoy. Thanks to the inspiration,
dedication and generosity of the Finlay family this new playground is a
wonderful addition to our community. A
number of residents helped to build the playground in early June and over the
summer various contractors have donated their labor and materials to finish it.
Our own Road Department spent numerous hours completing the project.
We are indebted to the Finlay family for their wonderful contribution to
our town. This is truly a lasting
memorial to their son, Nicholas. New
Superintendent of Schools We
are very pleased to welcome Dr. Frank Fehn to Joint
Library of the Mendhams A
very active, dedicated committee of both Township and Borough residents
continues to work on moving forward with proposals for a new library complex for
our two towns. After more than a
year the sites have been narrowed to two – one in the Township and one in the
Borough. I am sure that this Fall
there will be an announcement of a final site.
At that time there will be a series of hearings for our communities so
that all residents can be a part of the process.
A subcommittee of the Township Committee and the Borough Council has been
formed to work out the details of funding the construction of the new library
and establishing funding on annual basis for its operation.
The
Seeing Eye Property Many
of you, I hope, will visit the former Seeing Eye property on Mendham Township
Day. The Township purchased this
beautiful102 acre parcel on the northern end of Thank
You I
want to thank you for giving me the privilege of serving you as a member of the
Township Committee for the past nine years, and as your mayor for three of them.
This
is a wonderful town, run by volunteers: Fire, First Aid, Library, School Board,
all of our committees and commissions, boy scouts and girls scouts, and others.
Our town is strong because you care.
I admire your dedication and hard work to keep our small community
special. There are many challenges ahead but also many opportunities.
Hopefully
in the next few years we will have a new Library of the Mendhams to serve all of
our needs, with a renovated Town Hall that will function efficiently and give us
better facilities with which to serve you. We will continue to strive to give
our children the best education possible. Through our open space
program we will add lands to our inventory that will enhance our town,
giving us more locations in which you and your family can relax and enjoy our
unsurpassed quality of life. I
look forward to being one of our many volunteers for many years to come.
MENDHAM TOWNSHIP DAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12TH RAIN DATE – SUNDAY OCTOBER 13TH 12:00 – 4:00 PM The 1st (and hopefully, annual) Mendham Township Day
will be on October 12 from noon to 4:00pm
at one of Mendham Township's newest open space acquisitions, currently known as
the "Seeing Eye” property, at the north end of Ironia Road. The township
has been mulling a more locally-appropriate name for this magnificent and
spacious park, purchased through a combination of township and There also will be food, outdoor activities, meeting-and-greeting
of old friends and neighbors as well as new ones, plus information to help each
of us learn more about own wonderful town, our volunteer committees and numerous
town services. Be sure you and your children don’t miss being part of the
festivities on this first Mendham Township Day.
And stop by the numerous booths set up to learn more about Water
Restrictions and
a message from the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection Back
in the Spring of this year Mayor Porter and the Township Committee imposed
restrictions on water usage in response to the drought. Shortly thereafter the
state through the Governor and the DEP imposed its own restrictions. Then, after
some substantial rainfall, those restrictions were eased – only to be
re-imposed when normal rainfall conditions did not materialize. Now
the state and the township are once again under tight restrictions. A
complete description of all restrictions has been published in the newspapers
and the language of the township Resolution has been in the minutes of the town
meeting and on our website, mendhamtownship.org.
A copy also is available at town hall. All residents should review and
understand them as we expect the restrictions to remain in place for some time
to come. Following is a brief explanation, relating to landscape watering only,
from the DEP itself: “In
theses times of drought in the northeast there may be confusion on the part of
homeowners as to the restrictions on water usage. In an effort to help clear up
any concerns you may have, listed below are some rules and regulations about
landscape watering that affect you, the homeowner. Although
the watering of established lawns is prohibited, daily watering of newly-laid
sod or a newly-seeded lawn associated with new construction is allowed for the
first 45 days after planting. Watering
following treatment of vegetation with a fertilizer, pesticide or herbicide is
allowed for two consecutive days following the application. The
above watering will be allowed between Watering
of trees, shrubs, vegetable and flower gardens is permitted every other day on
an “odd-even” basis. Water may be applied with a watering can; with a
hand-held hose that does not leak and which is equipped with a nozzle that
automatically shuts off when released; or with an alternative irrigation
technology with a timer to ensure watering for no more than two (2) hours
per area watered. Tree rings or tree bags* may also be used, as well as a
permanently installed sprinkler system which is designed to water only trees,
shrubs, vegetable or flower gardens. (*
A tree ring or bag is a commercially available device filled with a discrete
amount of water and placed on the ground around a tree or plant; the device
gradually releases its water into the soil.) For
further information contact the DEP Drought Hotline at 1-800-448-7379.”
“Community
Dispute Resolution” -- An Efficient
Alternative to Court Popularity
of TV shows such as “Judge Judy” and “People’s Court” make it seem
that almost every little disagreement has to be settled in front of a judge in a
courtroom. Not so in real life, and not here in Mendham. Many disputes are
formally and legally resolved without the need for the parties to go to court by
using a Community Dispute Resolution Committee (CDRC). The Joint Court of
Mendham Township/Mendham Borough, Judge Vincent J. McMann, Jr., presiding, has
given us the following information about the CDRC and how it can help you
“stay out of court.” What
Is A Community Dispute Resolution Committee? A
Community Dispute Resolution Committee (CDRC) provides a means in which minor
disputes at the municipal level can be resolved without having to go to Court.
Disputing parties appear before a team of trained mediators who work with
the parties to develop a solution to the problem. What
Types Of Cases Are Referred To A CDRC? The
types of disputes that could be referred to a CDRC include: ·
neighborhood disputes ·
business/consumer complaints ·
simple harassment ·
dog complaints ·
noise complaints ·
simple trespass ·
bad checks ·
landlord/tenant disputes ·
destruction ·
simple theft Often
these types of disputes are more effectively resolved through mediation rather
than through a formal court proceeding. How
Does The CDRC Work? The
Municipal Court Judge or Court Administrator refers cases to the CDRC.
Parties are notified by mail to appear before the Committee. During
the mediation session, each party is given the opportunity to present his/her
side of the case. After the parties
have presented their case, the panel attempts to encourage discussion of the
problem between the two parties and guide them toward a mutually agreeable
solution. CDRC’s are
“solution-oriented” and are not preoccupied with deciding facts, guilt or
innocence. The disputing parties are
encouraged to frame a resolution they can both live with, and in doing so,
become more likely to honor it. If
an agreement is reached, it will be put in writing by the CDRC and signed by
both parties. What
If We Do Not Reach An Agreement? If
the parties fail to reach an agreement, the case may be returned to the court
for further proceedings. If a formal
complaint has not yet been filed, either party may do so with the Court
Administrator. Who
Makes Up The CDRC? Citizens
from the community volunteer to serve on the Committee.
Committee members are approved by the Assignment Judge of the Superior
Court and are trained in mediation techniques.
The Committee forms a mediation team that works with the disputing
parties to formulate a mutually agreeable solution.
The mediators do not take sides or make judgments about “right” and
“wrong.” Rather, they help
disputing parties discuss their needs and differences, and find areas of
agreement. What
Are The Advantages Of Community Dispute Resolution Committees? . CDRC’s
provide a flexible and open forum that enables citizens to resolve minor
problems without legal expenses and without the possibility of a conviction
record. . Each party is given the opportunity to tell his/her side of the story in
an atmosphere that is less formal than a court proceeding. . The mediation
session is private and confidential. This
helps to preserve goodwill and positive working relationships. . CDRC’s
encourage local citizens to become involved in the justice system thereby
increasing their awareness and support. For more information, call your local Municipal Court Administrator at 973-543-7526 or
the at 973-656-3979. Joyce
Kilmer got it right In
June of this year the Township
Committee with the concurrence of the Planing Board adopted a Tree Protection
ordinance that applies to all developed properties not owned by the Township.
(An earlier ordinance covers Township-owned land, undeveloped lots and lots
under development). The Tree Preservation and Landscape Committee (TPLC) worked
with the public and the Township Committee for over a year to develop this
ordinance. There was a substantial
amount of public participation in this process. The
stated goal is to “minimize indiscriminate and excessive cutting of trees on
developed lots” in order to encourage, in part, “protection of the
community’s rural character, reduced soil erosion and sedimentation,
improvement of water runoff and increased property values”. Lots
of less than one acre are excluded from the ordinance, except for Heritage Trees
which are defined below. For lots of
one acre or more, the ordinance applies to trees of six inches or more in
diameter in buffer areas bordering roads and along property boundaries, and
trees of 24 inches or more in
diameter (Heritage Trees) anywhere on the property. The
ordinance is not intended to restrict homeowners from removing dead or diseased
trees, or from routine pruning or maintenance procedures in areas of overgrown
vegetation.
There also will be allowances for tree removal associated with home
additions, construction of other approved structures, swimming pool
installations, etc. There
are also exemptions for other reasons including state or federal approved
management plans, private plans approved by the Tree Preservation and Landscape
Committee, and trees posing an immediate hazard. In
order to remove trees defined under the ordinance, a permit approval is
required, which includes a $10.00 fee. For
certain situations the fee may be waived. Approved
permits have a one-year life. Based
on the several applications approved since the ordinance was adopted we believe
that residents will find the process to be friendly and constructive. A
copy of the ordinance can be obtained from township hall.
If you have a general question, or a question about a specific situation,
call Township Hall, and ask to be put in touch with a member of the Tree
Protection and Landscape Committee for a no-fee consultation. ·
Trees clean our water and help make it safe for drinking, for wildlife,
fish and even for people. ·
Trees help the climate by off-setting greenhouse gases emitted from
homes and vehicles. ·
Trees clean the air and return pure oxygen, helping us all to breathe
easier. ·
Trees save money as well as the environment by reducing the cost of
controlling stormwater. ·
Trees cool the air in summer and shield against wind in winter, reducing
home energy use, improving our quality of life, and enhancing our property
values. Our
Tree Ordinance works for each of us to ensure our environmental health and our
community’s beauty. Brian
Hays and Frank Flaherty
for the TPLC Wildlife
Management Huntable
lots me be appropriate size Hunting
with shotguns is allowed on private property of five or more acres with the
owner’s consent. Bow and arrow
hunting is permitted on three or more acres of private property with the
owner’s consent. This year we are
also allowing up to three contiguous property owners to combine their properties
to get the required three acre minimum of huntable land for bow and arrow
hunters using tree stands. The two
or three property owners doing this must advise the police prior to allowing
hunters on their land. Full details
about hunting in Hunting
on township property In
addition to the above, deer hunting will be allowed in six of the Township’s
Open Space areas, all of which are at least 45 acres or larger.
On selected dates, shotgun hunting will be permitted in the Buttermilk
Falls Natural Area, Burnett Brook Natural Area, Notices
will be posted at the entrances to these properties listing the dates and time
they will be closed to the public to allow hunting to take place.
All other public Open Space and Parks owned by Our
second season In
last year’s hunting season, 54 deer were killed in our public Open Space (a
400% increase over the previous year). 281
deer were killed on private property for a total of 335 deer taken by hunters.
An estimated 60 deer were killed by cars, giving us a known kill of just
under 400 deer. Happily, deer-car
accidents and related incidents were ten less last year than the year before. However,
hunters are barely able to keep the deep population in check.
State and local surveys show the We
will keep you advised about our progress regarding the deer problem in town in
future issues of the Newsletter.
Robert D. Pierson
Chairman, Wildlife Management Committee Crutches,
Wheelchairs, Other Equipment Available to Residents The
Mendham Township First Aid Squad is happy to lend equipment to residents. Our
supply consists mainly of crutches, canes ( one four-legged ), walkers, commodes
and toilet risers. Occasionally, a
wheelchair is available. The Squad also welcomes donations of wheelchairs and
any clean, usable equipment of this type. For a loan, or to make a donation,
call Linda Brusco during the day at Town Hall (973)543-4555 or at home
(973)543-2830. Recycling is the law Recycling
Is Collected Every Other Monday Please Have Containers & Bundled
Newspapers at Curbside by
Recycling is required by law. It also reduces the
weight of the trash you put out for weekly collection, thereby saving you money
on your per-bag fee! For example, if you put out one full 15 lb. bag per week
your trash collection will be a mere $31.20 for a full year of trash
collection! There's no better bargain in the business. How
to Prepare Newspapers for Recycling To properly prepare newspapers for curbside
collection, bundle them and tie the bundles with string or twine. Keep
newspapers separate from all other paper, and do not place them in plastic bags.
It is OK to include in the bundle coupon inserts, glossy special sections and
all paper that actually comes with the newspaper. Fall Brush
Collection Fall Tire, Christmas Tree
Pickup Submitted
by David H. Read, Sr., Superintendent of Public Works Fall
Brush Pick-up
Tuesday - Fall
Tire, Christmas
Tree Pick Up
Monday -
The
Fall Brush Collection will begin on ALL BUNDLES MUST
BE TIED WITH STRING, NOT WIRE. BRUSH WILL NOT BE PICKED UP IF IT IS NOT TIED. Brush
bundles should be less than 12” in
diameter and 6’ in length. No stumps and no
logs over 6’ in length or over 6” in diameter will be picked up. All
material must fit through the chipper. BRUSH
ALSO WILL NOT BE PICKED UP if lots or wooded areas are cleared, either by
the homeowner or a contractor. Homeowners and/or contractors must dispose of
cleared wood themselves. Brush pickup is mainly intended for the purpose of
clearing away brush which has fallen during storms. It
is crucial NOT to include in your
bundles any material other than branches, scrub or brush. When wire or metal
rods are tucked inside the bundle this damages township equipment, which must
then be repaired or replaced with your tax dollars. MOST IMPORTANT, it can easily cause serious injury to our
workers as the material passes through the chipper. The
Fall Tire, Battery and Oil Collection will be held on Charges
are: tires--$2.00, tires with rims--$6.00, batteries--$1.00, oil--no charge. The town is pleased to continue providing these
environmentally-important services to residents and we appreciate your
cooperation in helping to ensure safety. If
you have any questions please telephone the Dept. of Public Works at (973) 543-4509.
Understanding
the issue The School
Budget and the Township Committee For
the last five months, members of the Township Committee have been listening to
residents on the issue of the township school budget which was defeated by the
voters in April. Despite public hearings and a volume of articles in local and
county newspapers, there is still confusion and misunderstanding about the role
the Township Committee was required by law to undertake in the process,
and the outcome. Here are the facts. After
the voters of Listening
to the voters, including the parents The
Township Committee’s goal in approaching the defeated school budget was to
reduce that budget without negatively impacting either the safety or the
educational programs of the children of Our
recommendations were divided between a small set of changes to “operating
budget” line items, and one larger change to the capital plan to allow
immediate replacement of the two school roofs. The
recommended changes to the “operating” line items included not purchasing
one new bus, implementing a smaller rise than originally proposed in wage
compensation for non-union salaried personnel, but holding to the same 4.5
percent increase provided to contractual personnel, plus consideration of two
previously-unanticipated retirements and the non-hiring of one additional
teacher. The dollar reduction for these changes to the “operating” line
items totaled $172,800. The remainder of the reductions is detailed in the next
paragraph. First
things first The
Township Committee completely understood the urgent need to replace the two
long-leaking roofs on the elementary and middle schools. And, in order to ease
the immediate burden on our taxpayers, we offered a novel “fair tax” funding
plan for the roof project. Initially,
the Township Committee considered recommending that the school board use an
additional $100,000 of its surplus to offset the tax impact of the roof project.
However, upon deliberation and discussion, the Township Committee came up with a
new and different approach -- to lend the school board all the funds necessary
to immediately undertake the roof project. Under
this unique plan, approved in principle at the very outset by the school
board’s attorney, the town’s attorney and the NJ Dept. of Education, the
township is lending the school board $555,000 from the town’s surplus.
The loan is in the form of a lease-purchase agreement between the
Township Committee and the Board of Education. The $555,000 will be paid back to
the Township at a rate of $118,000 per year over a five year period. The total
cost in interest over the five years is $35,000 based upon an interest rate of 2
percent. This
financing plan was chosen because it will allow the full roof repair to proceed
without delay, while the cost will be repaid over five years, thus minimizing
and spreading out the tax impact of the project. This plan also frees up funding
in the school’s own 2002-2003 budget to be used for capital reserve and budget
surplus. Win-win,
truly. Under
this plan, proposed in May and formally agreed to by the school board in July,
the $555,000 will be reallocated in the following manner: $118,000 will remain
in the school budget to pay the first installment of the loan; the balance of
$437,000 will be used for three purposes, $100,000 for capital reserve, $119,000
for budget surplus, and $218,000 for tax relief. Thus,
the voters’ interest in tax relief, and the school board’s need for roof
replacements are satisfied -- while
the project still remains eligible for a substantial grant from the state of The
process was a careful, thoughtful, deliberative one which was commented upon by
the The
Daily Record concluded, “…the roofs have to be repaired, and (by offering
the loan) the Mendham Township Committee should take a bow for devising a novel
and constructive proposal.” We are
not interested in bows but in letting the taxpayers of this community know the
facts of this important matter, and that the Township Committee’s concern for
our children resulted in the right actions being taken. --
Katie Porter, Bob Pierson, Sante D’Emidio, Brian Phelan, Jack Schrier Construction
Dept. Update Building and
Improving Our Town Construction
in At
this time, please take a moment to double check on your permit status by making
sure you have received all of your final inspections along with a complete
certificate of approval. As a follow
up to previous newsletter article, we remind you that when you call for
inspections please be ready and have your dog restrained. Most inspectors
will not even go to the front door when a dog is at large. Once
again, thank you for your help. If you require any permit, inspection or
information, remember we are only a telephone call away at 973-543-4555. You are not a bother – you are our job.
P.S. Take a walk through your home and check all smoke detectors today. You should have detectors on each floor level and in each bedroom. Devise an escape plan for your family and practice it monthly so it become second-nature. Test your units monthly. If batteries are more than six months old, replace them. Be prepared to save your family! (Thanks
to R.H.) Fun
and Games
Recreation Happenings This
year the Recreation Commission continued to offer a variety of Summer programs. We
began with five weeks of Summer Tennis
Clinics. More than 85 children
learned the fundamentals of tennis and improved their skills. Next up was a preschool
program at
The
Commission also sponsored a Basketball
Camp under the direction of Matt Smoot, a teacher and coach from The
Swim Team at Several
of the members did very well at the championships this year, including (by age
group): 9-10 Boys:
Charlie Pontiakas- 6th- Backstroke, 3rd- Breaststroke, and 9th-Fly;
9-10 Girls:
Kenzie Dambach – 2nd in IM and Breast Stroke, 4th-Fly; 11-12 Girls:
Colleen Koenig – 10th- Breast Stroke, Kyla
Dambach- 2nd IM, 3rd-back stroke,4th-fly; 13-14 Boys:
Kris Dambach- 1st – Freestyle (breaking the old record), 1st-Breast
Stroke, Backstroke and Fly; 13-14 Girls:
Megan McDonald 4th- Breaststroke and Fly, and 2nd- Backstroke; 15 -18 Girls:
Kaitlyn Damback 1st-200IM, 3rd-Fly, 6th-Freestyle; 9-18 Girls:
Step Up Relay took 2nd place with
swimmers Kenzie Dambach, Kyla Dambach, Kaitlyn Dambach and Megan MacDonald. Congratulations to all of you! There
were many hot sunny days to swim at the A
variety of other programs for both children and adults were offered at the Beach
and were enjoyed by many. Included were swim lessons, peanut hunts, and arts and
crafts every Wednesday afternoon. Come join the fun next year … at our own New!
On the Road in Mendham! On
While
the event originally got its name from the fact that the run will take place on
a section of Patriot’s Path from the Ralston Fire House to PLEASE
JOIN US WITH YOUR FAMILY FOR THIS EXCITING OUTDOOR EVENT Free
T-Shirt to all participants, plus “Fall Festival” with food, fun, and games
for all ages. FAMILY
FUN RUN: 2K (1.2 miles) Walk around TIME:
ENTRY
FEE: $10. for children under 10;
$15.00 for all others 10K
RUN FOR PATRIOTS: 10K (6.2 MILES)
Ralston FH to (Park at
TIME: ENTRY FEE: $15.00
early registration; $20 day of race REGISTER
ONLINE AT: http://www.ACTIVE.com or by mail to Sprint, Shoot and Score, Inc.,
P.O. Box 307, Mendham, NJ 07945 (checks payable to same name).
Questions contact On Your Mark Productions at http://www.mzrace@oymp.net
or call 732-381-0138.
Looking
ahead, the Recreation Commission is planning several Fall/Winter programs. In
the Fall we are planning another session of
Mad Science, a Story Tellers Writing Club, a Babysitting
course, and Volleyball.
As usual, we will sponsor a 7th
and 8th grade dance in late October. The
Ski Club will continue with changes
we made last year, as the Township and Borough combine to form one program once
again. More information to follow. Look
for information on these programs at our Web Site at mendhamtownship.org
and in the Observer Tribune. The
Recreation Commission also requests that you encourage your children to bring
home the flyers they get in school. This
is an excellent way to keep everyone informed on upcoming programs, and of
course, keep in contact with your Recreation Director, Jeanne Montemarano at
543-7301. The
EC, more than an ear to the ground Trail News The Environmental Commission has announced several
developments over the summer that add up to good news for users (and potential
users) of the Township’s 55+ miles of woodland walking trails: Burnett Brook
Natural Area:
The second of two planned one mile trails has been completed.
The new trail traverses an upland tract on the side of Schiff Link:
The Schiff Natural Lands Trust and the Township Environmental Commission
volunteers have completed a trail and stream crossing to give users of Patriots
Path easy access to the trail system in the Schiff Nature Preserve.
The trail intersects with Patriots Path about one half mile south of the
Ralston fire house. It crosses the DEP
Trails Grant:
The Department of Environmental Protection has approved an Environmental
Commission application for grant funds to construct four new trails and make
greatly needed repairs to a section of Patriots Path. The $21,428 grant will be
spent over the next two years to construct trails in: Burnett Brook Natural
Area, Tempe Wick Reserve, the Seeing Eye Property and Cold Hill Reserve, and
repair a one-mile segment of Patriots Path extending from Practice
"Trail Courtesy" Now
that autumn is here, walkers and bicyclists are taking to the trails in For
maximum pleasure of both trail user groups, the following common sense
precautions should be taken: Bicyclists •
Ride only on trails where cycling is permitted.
In •
Ride under control at all times. •
Announce your presence when approaching a walker. Equip you cycle with a
bell. It's an inexpensive, non-threatening and effective warning of your
approach. Hikers/Walkers •
Consider avoiding trails with high bicycle traffic, particularly on
weekends. •
Stay alert for cyclists and provide plenty of room for them to pass.
Cyclist proficiency varies greatly and some need your help to avoid a close
encounter. Adherence
to these few simple guides and the unfailing exercise of courtesy by both
walkers and cyclists will ensure maximum
enjoyment and minimum conflict on
our Township trails. New
Environmental Ordinance In
June the Township Committee approved a new environmental ordinance with
provisions recommended by the Environmental Commission.
The ordinance provides additional protection for the Township’s streams
and wetlands during construction, and it creates a new requirement for
conservation easements to be delineated with permanent markers to ensure that
future encroachment and destruction of wetlands and transition areas does not
occur. In addition, there is a section in the new ordinance that requires a review of property for wetlands and transition areas that might be affected by new construction or additions to existing structures. This review must be completed before a building permit is issued by the Construction Code Official. Copies of the ordinance are available from Penny Newell, Township Clerk. (Thanks to R.R. and S.D.L.) Update
from Historic Preservation What’s New
About What’s Old Video
Library Reaches 21 Take a trip through And
do all this without ever leaving the comfort of your home. Because
all these talks and tours are available on video tape.
The Historic Preservation Committee has been developing this wonderful
videotape library for more than five years.
With the recent completion of a Dismal-Harmony tour, there are now 21
tapes in the series. A 22nd
tape, covering the historic sites along India Brook, is in the editing room.
Scheduled for completion are three additional tapes covering the Tempe
Wick and Where
can you find these videotapes? In our township library, of course. They may be
located in the Travel Section but if you need assistance, ask the librarian for
help. Vote
“Yes” for On the ballot on election day you’ll see a referendum placed by A “Yes” vote will allow the Freeholders to use a very small
portion of the existing Open Space and Farmland Trust Fund – between
1/8 and ¼ of a cent – for the purpose of helping towns and non-profit
organizations preserve our heritage. Under the law, it is the only way to fund
historic preservation, and we applaud the Freeholders for this great initiative.
Please remember to vote on Tuesday, November 5, and vote “Yes” for County
Public Question #1. (Thanks
to T.T.) Open
Space Committee |
