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(10 Pages Long) MENDHAM TOWNSHIP DIRECTORY Town Hall (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri.)....(973)543-4555 www.mendhamtownship.org Stephen P. Mountain, Administrator 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......9-1-1 × Ø Township
Committee Kathryn A. Porter, Mayor……………(973)543-4003 Brian J. Phelan, Deputy Mayor………(973)895-3031 Sante D’Emidio………………………(973)895-7237 Robert D. Pierson…………………….(973)543-5606 Jack Schrier….……………………….(973)543-2447 -----------------------------------------------------------
Get In The Book! Hurry! Be Part of History in ... 2049! There’s a big Town Register in our Municipal Building just waiting for you to sign in! It’s the official register of our 250th Anniversary and we want it to contain the signatures of every man, woman and child living in Mendham Township in 1999. Then, it will become part of our legacy for the town’s Tercentennial Celebration -- our 300th Anniversary. Iin the year 2049, fifty years from now, the Register will be opened and YOUR NAME will be recalled as a resident and participant in Mendham Township’s long, illustrious, proud history!
It’s so easy. Just come upstairs to town hall the next time you visit the
library. Or make a special trip with your spouse and children -- it’s worth it --
just to sign your names in our “history book!”
But hurry, the book will close along with our 250th Anniversary year at the end of
December. Preserve your place in your town’s archives. Then, when the Great Roll Call
Of Mendhamites is announced in 2049, your family name will be among them! For more
information speak to Sue at town hall, (973)543-4555. You also can still buy 250th logo memorabilia to keep as mementos. Join your neighbors and friends for as many of these events as possible, and enjoy a year to remember for a lifetime! For more information call Penny Newell at Town Hall (973-543-4555), or 250th Chair Patricia Maynard (908-879-6525). Or stop in at Town Hall and see for yourself. ------------------------------------------------------------ ] Township of Mendham Main Street & Cherry Lane P.O. Box 520 Brookside, NJ 07926 TOWNSHIP NEWS Is Your Name in our 250th Town Register Yet? Township’s 250th Celebration Nears Finale Come, Celebrate “Ralston Day” Oct. 17 Help Shape Our New “Master Plan” Town Now Ready for Y2K -– RU2? Firefighters/First Aiders Compensation? -- See Inside, and Vote on Nov. 2 Special Help for Your Garden Garbage Stickers Now Cost Less! Fall/Winter Recreation News Fall Dates for Brush Pick-Up Report from the Mayor ... and more Printed on Recycled Paper =========== Vol. VIII, No. 3 AUTUMN 1999 Report from the Mayor Dear Friends: Labor Day has just passed, and I am thinking back over the summer and of the many activities that occurred in our community. The 4th of July weekend featured our annual parade, a wonderful depiction of a charcoal burn by Ernie Maw and the Historic Preservation committee, an ecumenical service and in celebration of our 250th the weekend culminated with spectacular fireworks. Historic Drought Is Now History All summer long the Recreation Commission and staff manned the Brookside Beach and offered activities for our young people. Wow! We certainly needed our beach and pond this year! We celebrated summer's end with an ice cream social sponsored by the Seniors of the Mendhams. It was a fun-filled afternoon, and the spirit and joy expressed by this lively group is an important part of our community. This was one of the driest summers on record, and the Township Committee declared watering restrictions which were soon mandated state-wide by Governor Whitman. I ask that all residents continue to conserve water. Although we have had some significant rain, it has not been nearly enough to replenish our underground aquifers or our reservoirs. In fact, it will take many months before these precious resources will be back to acceptable levels so please be conscientious about cutting your usage. What Is LOSAP? In August the Township Committee passed an ordinance to create the "Emergency Services Volunteer Length of Service Award Program" (LOSAP) which will not take effect unless it is approved by you, the Mendham Township voters, in a binding referendum at the next general election on November 2nd. Approved last year by Governor Whitman and the state legislature, this program recognizes the need to offer incentives to our volunteer firefighters and first aid squads. If you approve the LOSAP plan the Township will be required to provide a fixed annual contribution to a deferred income account for each volunteer member as determined by a point system. Before election day we expect that you will receive information from our volunteer services on the plan, to help you make an educated decision. Elsewhere in the newsletter are letters about LOSAP from proponents. The Township Committee awaits your decision. Grow and Thrive Right Here As you will read in this issue of your newsletter, there is so much going on to safeguard and strengthen the well-being of our community: information on Y2K preparations, ordinances recently adopted by the Township Committee, updating our master plan, revitalization of the Alliance of the Mendhams, opportunity to vote on the LOSAP plan, important deliberations of the Open Space Committee, fall and winter plans of the Recreation Commission, 250th activities and so much more. All of these efforts are predominantly organized by volunteers. With so much going on and so many people involved it shows that Mendham Township is not an apathetic community. With the approach of the new year and a new millennium whether it is in one of our parks or at one of the many upcoming events or through our children's schools let us learn to care more about ourselves and our neighbors. Many of us are not originally from this area let alone New Jersey. Let all of us together put down roots in Mendham Township and become more connected to and invest in our community. =========== Welcome Wagon
Rolls In the Mendhams
The Welcome Wagon Club of the Mendhams is one way for new residents to get to know
our towns and our people. Traditionally, Welcome Wagon introduces newcomers to the
organizations and business in the Mendhams, but it also points the way to many quality of
life activities for the entire family, as well, including aerobics classes, bowling
groups, ladies’ luncheons, bridge clubs and social get-togethers, even golf. For more
information phone our local Welcome Wagon representatives Debbie at (973)543-6264 and
Sharon at (973)543-5557. ==== Familiar Face Is New Town CFO In July the Township Committee adopted a Resolution appointing Heather Webster as our new Chief Financial Officer. Heather previously held the position of Assistant CFO upon being hired in August, 1997, and then was named Temporary CFO after she completed most of the requirements in June of 1998. Diligent work at Rutgers on all of the educational requirements for CFO have now been completed, and in less time than the town had expected. Heather has now received Municipal Finance Officer certification from the State of New Jersey. Heather’s appointment is for 4 years in accordance with state law, and runs from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2002. Congratulations to Mendham Township’s own Heather Webster! ===== Planning Board Drafting New Master Plan (Editor’s note: A town’s Master Plan sets out
goals for preservation, zoning, development, and other factors which largely help
determine the ultimate appearance and character of a community. By law, the Plan must be
reviewed and updated from time to time.) The Planning Board is drafting a new Master Plan for Mendham Township, the first new Master Plan since 1983. The Planning Board reviewed the current Master Plan this spring and concluded that it no longer adequately addresses the issues facing the Township because important changes have occurred since 1983. The Board is particularly concerned about the considerable growth that has occurred in the past 16 years, and the continuing pressure for additional development. Drafting a new Master Plan is a major undertaking for which the Board has established a special Master Plan Committee. The members are Planning Board Chairman Alan Willemsen and Vice Chairman Sam Tolley, Township Committee members Sante D’Emidio and Robert Pierson, Environmental Commission member Sarah Dean Link, and Township Planner Duggan Kimball. The Committee held its first meeting on August 18th and elected Sam Tolley as its chairman. They will meet monthly or bi-monthly to draft the new plan and expect to present a draft to the Township Planning Board and the public sometime next year. One of the Committee’s mandates is to solicit the input of interested groups and citizens in the drafting of various elements of the plan. Key groups will be contacted and invited to provide input during the drafting process. All Master Plan Committee meetings will be open to the public. Public Meeting October 4th The Master Plan Committee will hold a series of public meeting to discuss the vision of the Township’s future in the Mendham Township Municipal Building at the corner of Cherry Lane and West Main Street in Brookside. The meeting schedule is: October 4th at 6:00 p.m., October 20th at 8:00 p.m., November 1st at 6:00 p.m., November 15th at 6:00 p.m., December 6th at 6:00 p.m., December 15th at 6:00 p.m. A vision statement is the first step in the process of drafting a new Master Plan and sets the overall direction for the new plan. Individual residents and homeowners’ groups are cordially invited to present their concerns and viewpoints to the Master Plan Committee. If you cannot attend, please write to us at: Master Plan Committee, Mendham Township, P.O. Box 520, Brookside, NJ 07926. Or phone Planning Board Secretary Linda Peralta, at (973)543-4555. (Thanks to S.T.) Recreation News This summer brought with it some new and exciting programs sponsored by the Recreation Commission. We began the season by bringing in the Skyhawks Company to run several summer sport camps. The first was a Mini Hawk program for children ages 4 to 7. There were two sessions of this camp. The Mini Hawk program was an introduction to basketball, baseball and soccer. All activities were geared for the young children using equipment down-sized for their smaller bodies. The Commission, in cooperation with Skyhawks, also sponsored one week each of basketball, golf, and roller hockey, all for children ages 7 to 14. The camps were well-received and we expect to continue with these programs in the future. The Swim Lesson program, under the direction of Lisa Pennella was expanded this year. Lisa added several weeks and various levels to the program. Stroke clinics were also added for the more experienced swimmers and swim team members. Over 80 children participated in this extended program, which was more than double the number of participants served last year. There were many hot sunny days to swim at the Brookside Beach this year. The staff worked very hard at keeping the beach clean and ready for the swimmers. A special thanks to the Department of Public Works for their efforts to keep water levels high during a very dry summer. This year, story hour and arts and crafts were offered every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. If you are a Brookside Beach member, please take the time to fill out your survey and return it. We can only make the beach better with your input. The swim team was once again under the leadership of Coach Lisa Pennella and Assistant Coach Jessica Pennella. We had 88 members registered, with several members taking awards in the Lakeland Swim League Championship Meet. The team also won the Good Sportsmanship Award from the Lakeland League, for an unprecedented 3rd year in a row. Looking ahead, the Recreation Commission is planning several Fall/Winter programs. In the Fall we are planning another session of Mad Science, a Math Program, and Roller Hockey Program. We also sponsored a Family Deep Sea Fishing Trip on Saturday, September 25th. In conjunction with the Municipal Alliance we will sponsor some 7th and 8th grade dances and a middle school musical production. The Ski Club dates are tentatively set for January 8th and 22nd and February 12th and 26th. The overnight ski trip is planned for January 29th and 30th. Registration will begin in October. You can find current information on these programs at our official municipal web site, www.mendhamtwp.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 (973) 543-7301. ==== Letters for the Newsletter Thank you for your letters and comments about the Newsletter. We appreciate hearing from you. We also welcome your ideas, photos and art for future issues. Write to: Newsletter Editor, Box 520, Brookside, NJ 07960. ===== Floyd Fatigued Firefighters, First Aiders Starting about 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 16, the alarms began sounding for our volunteer emergency responders as Hurricane/Tropical Storm/Wild Thang Floyd ripped across Mendham Township. The calls alerting us to fires, downed power lines, fallen trees, and a wide variety of residential problems continued well into the night and through the following morning. We had some pretty exhausted volunteers by the time it was over! As we noted in our prior edition, there seems to be something about the summer season that produce more than the usual number of siren calls for First Aiders and Firefighters. We are pleased to report that all calls were responded to swiftly and professionally, and, while there was no way to prevent the damage that was done by Mother Nature, your neighbors on the squads did a magnificent job -- as usual. Mendham Township is proud of these men and women who, unpaid and with no incentive but their love for our town, literally leap out their beds in the middle of the worst weather-nights and answer your calls for help. Thank you, all members of our Brookside and Ralston Engine Companies and our superb First Aid Squads! === Ralston Firehouse Flaps Jacks for Fellow Firefighters The traditional Autumn Pancake Breakfast hosted by our Ralston Fire Company, Mendham Road West, will be held on October 17th, at the firehouse. If you’ve enjoyed this fabulous family food fest before, you know it’s downright yummy – and a super way for your whole family to enjoy a real firehouse breakfast. It’s only $4 but you sure get your money’s worth, and your tummy full! The pancake breakfast this year is the kick-off event for Ralston Day which is part of our 250th Anniversary celebration. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Center Sandwich, Vermont, fire company, in memory of Mary Ellen Mills. Andy Mills, a former Ralston Chief and valuable long-time member of the Ralston Engine Co. who moved to Vermont, reported that funding for the local firefighters is minimal, leaving them without resources to provide a high level of fire protection for their community. Since Mary Ellen was so active as Secretary for the Ralston company, Andy suggested this might be a fitting tribute to her. We agree, and urge you to combine a good cause with good food on October 17th from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. (??) at the Ralston fire house! Vote
Nov. 2 on this special referendum … LOSAP -- It’s In Your Hands In an effort to encourage greater volunteer participation in the fire and first aid squads throughout the state, the legislature passed and Governor Whitman signed a bill creating a special compensation program for those volunteers -- if the voters approve it. The program is known as the Length of Service Awards Program, or LOSAP, and the matter will be on your November 2nd, 1999 ballot as a Public Question. Below are two points of view in favor of this program with some of the details for your consideration. You may have a different viewpoint.
This is an important issue which, if approved, will have a consequential impact on your town property tax. We urge you to bring your questions and an inquiring, open mind to these special meetings! Then vote, on November 2nd. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. 1. An Open Letter from Your
First Aid Squad (FAS): Dear Mendham Township Residents, My name is Jesse Smith and I am the Captain of your volunteer First Aid Squad. I wanted to write you to provide a "heads up" to an important issue which involves both the first aid squad and the community. The important issue is called Length of Service Awards Program or LOSAP for short. On January 19, 1998 the Emergency Services Volunteer Length of Service Award Program (P.L.1998, c388) was signed into law by Governor Whitman. The law empowers the Local Finance Board (in this instance, Mendham Township) to adopt rules in the New Jersey Administrative Code to assist with the implementation and operation of a LOSAP's. This program will act as an incentive to attract new recruits, retain existing members, and provide positive reinforcement, a solid pat on the back to members. LOSAP programs have been developing statewide. As a result of majority vote from the members of the Mendham Township First Aid Squad, Brookside Engine Co. #1 and Ralston Engine Co. #1, we formed our own committee. Our own LOSAP committee placed this proposal before the Township Committee as their approval was needed to place the question on the ballot. The Township Committee voted to put the question on the ballot and, by so doing, has now left it up to the community, that is, you, to vote on the ordinance on November 2, 1999. As you may not know, enlisting new volunteers for these organizations is becoming harder and harder every year. It is very difficult to maintain active volunteer organizations which require a large time commitment. The time requirements for training, meetings, CEU's (continuing education units), community service projects, transportation's and first aid calls are affecting many volunteer organizations. We have lost many members for just this reason. Not all members will be eligible for participation in this program. It is based on Length of Service, as its name suggests, and also includes several other qualifying requirements. Let me give you some basic facts relative to the First Aid Squad: Current Membership 34 Members Projected LOSAP qualifiers 18 Members Cost per year per member $1,150. Estimated cost per year $20,700. (FAS only) As you can see, this investment in your community is minor compared with what a paid service would cost. Some estimates of a paid ambulance service run into the 100,000.00's of dollars. Not to mention if you need to also include Fire Departments, then the tax burden to the community could be in the millions! Please help us keep the volunteer organizations strong. Support LOSAP at the polls! Thanks as always for your continued support. Sincerely, Jesse Smith Captain, Mendham Township First Aid Squad 2. A Message From Your Firefighters: All of the members of the emergency services in Mendham Township which includes Brookside & Ralston Fire Companies and the Mendham First Aid Squad, are volunteers. We are not paid. We do what we do out of love for our community and a genuine desire to help our neighbors. Our level of training is the same as paid career emergency personnel and more intensive than some. State and Federal training, documentation and safety requirements have been increasing dramatically. This, coupled with a shrinking membership, requires us to be away from our families and homes more and more. Additionally, we must also spend great amounts of extra time on fund-raising activities to insure that our organizations are financially viable and able to respond to emergencies in our town. We do receive partial funding from the township. We try to keep ourselves prepared and you should know we are still in far better shape than many towns in the area. We maintain enough members to answer your calls with the necessary equipment. Our biggest challenge and our most important goal must always be to attract new members and keep our current members active. We are absolutely committed to this goal, as we realize that it would cost our town millions of dollars to fund a paid emergency services system. The great majority of us, like you, are taxpayers also. We love Mendham Township and we want and hope that we will be able to afford to continue living here. The State of New Jersey has recently enacted a program designed to help recruit new members and retain existing ones. It could not have come at a more opportune time. This program is called "The Length of Service Award Program - LOSAP". Basically, the program allows towns to set up a small retirement fund for those active volunteers who meet the yearly activity standards set forth by the emergency services. Each year that a volunteer meets or exceeds the required attendance at emergency calls, training drills, meeting and official functions, the Township would place $1150.00 in a retirement fund designated for that volunteer. We estimate that approximately 75 members of the combined services would qualify this year. This amounts to $86,250.00, costing the average taxpayer in Mendham Township approximately $40.00 this year.* We ask for your support and help by passing the program Public Question on the November 2nd ballot. PLEASE VOTE YES! Mendham Township First Aid Squad Brookside Engine Company #1 Ralston Engine Company * (This figure is based on the average value of a home
in Mendham Township which is $400,000, and
calculates into an increase in your municipal tax rate of 1c per $100 valuation. Your actual tax increase
may be lower or higher depending on your property’s appraised value. -- Ed.) ====== Getting pretty close now ... You and Your Town, Still Preparing for the Year 2000 Chances are, you have heard the term “Y2K” which refers to next year, the year 2000, not just once in the past month but probably a thousand times. As January 1, 2000, approaches, public awareness concerning possible problems associated with Y2K, or the “millennium bug” as it is often known, is growing rapidly. How is Mendham Township preparing, and what preparations should your own household be making for Y2K? This article will address these important questions and provide you with everything you need to know on preparing for the Year 2000.
As most people know, Y2K is shorthand for the Year 2000 technology glitch which happened because many older computers and software programs used only the last two digits of the year to record dates, while the century, 19--, was assumed. When the year 2000 (’00) arrives, programs that have been entered with two-digit codes may be viewed as the year 1900. This confusion in dates could create computing errors or cause systems to crash. Also, some electronics and machinery have embedded computer chips, which may fail as a result of the two-digit coding problem. It is difficult to predict how much of an impact the Y2K problem will have locally. Although the Township, along with other levels of government, financial institutions, service providers, vendors, and many other groups have been working diligently to identify and resolve Y2K concerns, Y2K related problems can still potentially occur. The Township, therefore, is taking every precaution possible and urges residents to be equally prepared. Township Preparations For many years, the Township has had an Emergency Management Plan, which is regularly updated and utilized in any man-made or natural emergency. Our Coordinator is John Alderton of Brookside. The plan covers all types of emergency situations and would be activated if any Y2K problem were to arise. The Township, however, has taken a number of additional steps specific to Y2K. These steps include: · the upgrade/replacement of all internal computer hardware systems not Year 2000 compliant. · the upgrade/installation of new Year 2000 compliant software programs. · a comprehensive survey of all service providers/vendors to assess Y2K readiness. · follow-up meetings with critical service providers/vendors to confirm readiness. · a complete evaluation of all Township vehicles and equipment for Year 2000 compliance including testing of critical emergency equipment such as generators. · the development of a Y2K specific contingency plan for all major Township services and activities. · the conduct of a Y2K emergency management drill (scheduled for October). Beyond examining the Y2K readiness of our own municipal organization, the Township is also working with numerous ancillary organizations to monitor their ability to operate and provide essential services to the community. Among the agencies that are working on the Y2K problem in conjunction with the Township are: · Water companies serving the Township (New Jersey American Water, Inc., Southeast Morris County Utilities Authority) · GPU Energy, Inc. · Public Service Electric & Gas, Inc. · County of Morris · Washington Township (the regional public safety dispatch center serving the Township) · Applied Water Management (the Mendham East sewer operator) · Bell Atlantic, Inc. Many of these agencies have web sites that contain information on how they have addressed Y2K issues. Residents are encouraged to visit these sites to learn more about specific operations. Household Preparedness Whether it is a hurricane, blizzard or Y2K, the same basic principles of preparedness apply. · Stock non-perishable foods, stored water and an ample supply of prescription and non-prescription medications that are used regularly for household members. Emergency supplies should last several days to a week. · Have extra cash or travelers checks on hand in case electronic transactions cannot be processed. Keep cash or traveler’s checks in a safe place, and withdraw money from your bank in small amounts well before December 31. · Keep car gas tank above half-full. · Use extra blankets, coats, hats and gloves to keep warm if power fails. Don’t use gas-fueled appliances, like an oven, as an alternative heating source. Camp stoves and heaters should only be used outdoors in a well ventilated area. · Have plenty of flashlights and extra batteries; don’t use candles for emergency lighting. · Examine smoke alarms now; replace batteries every Fall. · Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for information about shelters and local emergency conditions. · Check with manufacturers of any essential computer controlled electronic equipment in your home, including fire and security alarm systems, programmable thermostats, appliances, consumer electronics, garage door openers, electronic locks and other equipment that may be controlled by an embedded chip. There are literally hundreds of publications that offer advice on how to prepare for Y2K disruptions. One of the better resources is the American Red Cross’s brochure, “Y2K: What You Should Know”. The brochure can be obtained free of charge directly from the Red Cross by calling 538-2160 or from the Red Cross Web Site (www.redcross.org). Copies of the brochure also are available at Town Hall. For additional resources on Y2K, consult the Township Library, local bookstores or the Internet. The following are some general Y2K web sites that may be of interest: · President’s Council on Year 2000 Conversion (www.y2k.gov) · U.S. Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov) · Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) · Federal Emergency Management Agency (www.fema.gov) · New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (www.state.nj.us/dca) · New Jersey League of Municipalities (www.njslom.com) · Information Technology Association of America (www.itaa.org) Residents should also be aware of several scams now being reported, involving telephone callers using Y2K problems as an excuse to elicit information about bank accounts and credit cards. The Federal Trade Commission recommends consumers (1) don’t give out personal information over the phone or online (2) be on the alert for unauthorized credit card charges and (3) contact banks immediately if there are unauthorized debits to checking or savings accounts. For additional information on the Township’s Y2K efforts and links to Y2K sites on the world wide web, please consult the Township’s own official web site at www.mendhamtownship.org. Residents with questions or concerns may also contact Township Administrator Steve Mountain at (973)543-4555. Residential Back-Up Generators Require Permit If you are considering the installation of a back-up generator at your residence in conjunction with homeY2K preparations, please be aware of the following: 1. All generator installations require an electrical permit. Electrical permits can be applied for through Township Construction Office at Township Hall.
2. Natural gas generators require a plumbing permit. Propane or gasoline fed generators also require a fire permit. Information on both of these permits may also be obtained through the Township Construction Office. 3. Generator installations are technical operations and should be performed by a licensed electrical contractor. Residents with questions concerning the permitting process may contact the Construction Office at 543-7464.
(Thanks to S.M.) == Township Web Site Up and Running on the Internet www.mendhamtownship.org Visit your home town from anyplace in the world where you have access to the Internet! The Township now has its very own official municipal Internet site with useful information on all ongoing Township activities and services, as well as specialized information on extraordinary activities such as our 250th Anniversary Celebration and our Y2K preparedness efforts. The site is interactive and you are invited to send us a message or a comment when you visit. For additional information on the web site itself, please contact Township Administrator Steve Mountain at (973)543-4555 or e-mail him at STVMT@AOL.COM. ==== Environmental Commission News Update on Buttermilk Falls Now that we've had some rain, the delivery of 250 tree seedlings is set and planting is scheduled for Saturday, October 16. Hope you all will be able to help -- put it on your calendar now. It’s a great task to accomplish and everyone had so much fun at the first planting event. Plans for the wetlands restoration are moving ahead, as well. The water control structure in the big detention basin has been modified, and the basin is filling up. An official of NRCS thinks we have a good chance of getting wood ducks there! We also have recommendations for native shrubs for the detention basin banks that will help the erosion problem and provide bird cover and food. The container shrubs will be delivered with the trees, and if you are available on a weekday on or about October 16, you are more than welcome to help. While in the Natural Area, stay alert and you may glimpse a new resident -- a coyote. The coyote (or coyotes, as there may be more than one) was attracted perhaps by a booming chipmunk population and brush piles remaining from selective removal of trees earlier this spring to improve the health of the forest. Nonetheless, the coyote(s) has established residence and been observed on a number of occasions by Natural Area regulars. Pileated woodpeckers, too -- at least one pair -- have joined the large and growing population of bluebirds in residence, adding more brilliant color and the Pileated’s distinctive call to the sights and sounds of the forest. There are so many examples of Nature’s wonders to be seen every day in our Natural Area, not only in the Autumn but in every season of the year. Remember: Buttermilk Falls is a Mendham Township municipal park, one of your very own hometown wonderlands of natural beauty. Put a visit on your calendar soon, come with your entire family … and make your personal discoveries. New Household Hazardous Waste Facility This was in our last update and is worth repeating. The Morris County Municipal Utility Authority (MCMUA) has opened a Household Hazardous Waste Facility on Gold Mine Road in Mt. Olive Township. Morris County residents and “Conditionally-Exempt Small Quantity Generators” can dispose of household hazardous waste (HHW) such as pesticides, oil-based paints, automotive fluids, and fluorescent light bulbs. Not acceptable are latex paints, empty containers, unknown materials, or more than 220 lbs. of business wastes. The facility is available by appointment only and is open most Fridays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more information, call 973-829-8006 or visit the MCMUA web site at http://www.mcmua.com Dismal Harmony Brochure This, too, deserves another mention. Environmental Commission member Sarah Dean Link has prepared an excellent and informative brochure on our Dismal Harmony Natural Area, the first substantial park established in Mendham Township. The Dismal Harmony Natural Area can be accessed from East Main St., Tingley Rd., Stoney Hill Rd., and Woodland Terrace. It comprises 344 acres of woods and streams of great natural beauty. The well-written easy to read brochure includes a map which identifies foot trails, streams and historic sites, and also contains descriptions of environmental features such as geology, vegetation and wildlife. Copies of the brochure are available free at town hall, the library, and at the sign located at the East Main St. entrance to the park. (Thanks to SDL) === Special
Help for Your Garden! Tips on Gardening With Drought With the dry, hot summer this year, many gardeners became aware of how difficult it is to keep their gardens going when there is no rain, and water restrictions are in place. There is concern about how well gardens and lawns will bounce back next year and if plants may have to be replaced. Fortunately, a number of plants can survive a drought and return to healthy growth the following year. Many of the early spring-blooming flowers will go dormant a little early if there is a summer drought, and will return the following year. Plants in this group include Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), Trilliums (Trillium spp.), Jack-In-The-Pulpit (Arisaema spp.), Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica), Poppies (Papaver orientale), Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis) and bulbs of all types. Ferns also have this ability. Other perennials are drought-resistant because they have thick, fleshy roots that resist dry weather. Examples of this type include Bearded Iris (Iris), Balloon Flower (Platycodon grandiflorus), Blazing Star (Liatris spp.), Peony (Paeonia spp.), Wild Indigo (Baptisia australis) and Daylilies (Hemerocallis spp.). Some perennials are naturally drought-resistant because of the area of the world where they originated. This includes many of the sun-loving summer-blooming natives such as Blanket Flower (Gaillardia spp.), False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides), Back-Eyed Susans (Rudbeckia fulgida), Tickseed (Coreopsis spp.), Orange Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and Purple Cone Flower (Echinacea purpurea). Other naturally drought-resistant plants include Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), Garden Sage (Salvia spp.), Stone Crop (Sedum spp.), and many grasses. All these types of plants should go through drought well and be fine the following year. Many people love their green lawns and are concerned about them browning-out badly during this drought. By now, most otherwise-healthy lawns should have snapped back very well as temperatures cooled down and regular rains have returned. If your lawn still looks bad this Fall, you can rake up any dead and unattached grass, then over-seed. Fall actually is a very good time to improve your lawn, as the annual weeds are dying and many of the perennial weeds are becoming dormant. Kentucky Bluegrass (what most sod is) is not the best grass for heat, drought or shade. Over-seed your lawn with a mixture of Perennial Ryegrass, Red Fescue, Chewing Fescue, and Tall Fescue. These grasses will stand up better to tough conditions and require less water than Kentucky Blue Grass. Grass grows well in cooler temperatures. Indeed most grasses will continue to grow until mid-to-late November. Lightly fertilize your lawn before top seeding and fertilize again in November and early spring. By next Spring they will have already developed a good root system and will fill in quickly. This will get the grass off to a good start and fill in bare spots. Since grass grows best in cool weather it is not necessary to fertilize in the summer, especially when water restrictions are in effect. If you are able to water your lawn, do it once a week and get 2" of water down. It is unnecessary and wasteful to water lawns every day or every other day. If water restrictions continue into the fall, forget about the lawn, but try to make sure your trees and shrubs are well watered before the cold weather comes. This is especially important for evergreens. Plants going into winter in drought situations may become "permanently dormant" if they have not had adequate watering in the fall. Trees and shrubs take many years to reach mature size; don't risk losing them at the expense of having a green lawn. Perhaps this record-setting drought has given you the incentive to rethink your lawn and garden. If you plan to rework or redesign an area, consider the amount of water that plants will need before buying them. Avoid impulse buying. Choose plants with waxy, hairy, or gray-colored foliage. Narrow-leaved plants will fare better in drought than wide-leaved plants. Native species will always shine no matter what the weather brings. Bulbs and early spring bloomers are also excellent choices for drought resistance. And don't forget to mulch plants to a depth of about 2" with an organic mulch that will break down over time. This will retain moisture and keep the surface of the soil soft, making water and rain penetrate more easily. Finally, keep a sense of humor and remember that every cloud has a silver lining -- even if the cloud offers no precipitation. If some plants do not survive, there is always the fun you will have next year shopping for new plants. After all, a true, obsessive gardener loves to try new plants! (Thanks to K.P. and M.K.) ===== Update: New Construction Plans by Robert D. Pierson,
Township Committeeman Four years ago during my tenure as Mayor I put together a committee of interested residents to study current and future space needs in Mendham Township-owned buildings. This Buildings Committee made its report to the Township Committee three years ago and we have actively been pursing solutions to the needs articulated in the report. By all measures, the primary need presented in the report was the expansion of the Township’s popular but overcrowded and outmoded library. Second in order of priority was adding office space, meeting rooms, and records storage for the Township’s offices. The governing body has agreed to tackle these two needs first. With the help of two local architects and our financial staff we have looked at a variety of alternatives as to how, where, and at what cost we can meet our space requirements. We have consulted with the Library Board, sought their input, and received a pledge the amount of money they hope to raise to offset costs. (As most of you know, the library is not Township-owned but is an independent, non-profit organization.) After considering various locations for new construction, we have decided the least-costly and most practical site is a Township-owned property surrounding the municipal building in Brookside. In summary, the concept is to reconfigure the present parking lot into a modest “town square,” construct a new freestanding building to house the library, and utilize space vacated by the library in the municipal building for additional Township offices and records storage. We are moving along with this concept but before plans are finalized we would like to invite all interest residents to two Township Committee meetings to be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 23, 1999, and at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 13, 1999. At each meeting we will present layouts, drawings, and a model of the plans as well as costs. We will be seeking your input, your comments and your ideas. We look forward to meeting with you. ====== 250th Celebration – Still Going
Strong! Mendham Township, Morris County, New Jersey 1749 - 1999 Schedule of Events and Activities, October - December October 9, 10 “Historic Ralston” weekend October 16 Tour of Manor House and Ralston General Store October 17 Ralston Day; Pancake Breakfast at Ralston Firehouse; Cider Mill Tour; “Visit With Mary Ann Nesbitt Ralston” November 21 Interchurch Thanksgiving Service at Brookside Community Church December The Grand Finale! Events to be announced! ========= Historic Preservation Committee Invites You to “Celebrate Ralston” for Our 250th RALSTON DAY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17TH BREAKFAST: 7 AM TO NOON TOURS: 10 AM TO 3 PM Join your neighbors for a celebration of our historic Ralston section of Mendham Township. Start the day with a traditional family Pancake Breakfast served by our faithful firemen at the Ralston Firehouse, west of Roxiticus Road on Mendham Road West (Rt. 24). Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. All you can eat - $4.00 From 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sammy's Cider Mill will be open for (free) tours. This wonderful reminder of our past is virtually unchanged since it last operated many years ago. Those residents who have taken past tours will tell you that visiting it, is like a return to the Township’s 1920's-1930's agricultural-industrial past. If you have not yet toured this marvelous historic legacy of Mendham’s past, please consider making it a date on October 17. You’ll agree, it’s a great experience! (Please note that children must either be carried or holding an adult hand while in the building.) Also, as a special treat for our 250th Anniversary, we have received the following invitation to journey back to the 18th Century at the Ralston Homestead, an invitation we extend to you: Mary Ann Nesbitt Ralston Wife of John Ralston Will be "at home" To receive visitors for a tour of her house Sunday, October 17,1999 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. “Mary Ann Ralston” has agreed to open her home (free of charge) for tours conducted by costumed "family members". There will be demonstrations of weaving, spinning, quilting, drying apples and other 18th-Century household chores. There also will be plenty of fresh-pressed cider for sampling. At the same time her husband, “John Ralston,” will open his General Store which features artifacts from the local iron industry and the Rockaway Valley Railroad. Parking is available at the Old Ralston Firehouse and at Sammy's Restaurant. All events are within walking distance of these parking areas. (Thanks to E.M. and P.Z.) How You Can Help Keep
Mendham Township Green
(Note: This is the second in a planned
series of articles on open space in Mendham Township.) As many towns throughout New Jersey and the United States struggle with building and population explosions, they also are having to cope with the substantial added stress this expansion puts on their roads, schools, services, and tax burden. Many Mendham residents are working to help keep expansion under control by allowing Mendham Township to acquire their property through land sale, easements, or donations. Through the years, Mendham Township has acquired properties such as Buttermilk Falls, Tempe Wick Reserve, Cold Hill Preserve, and Buck Hill Natural Area (DosPassos).These beautiful properties are now used as nature trails and for playing fields and recreation. These acquisitions have helped Mendham Township retain its natural beauty and keep its timeless feeling, while also keeping property values up -- and taxes down. Properties are secured as open space in the following ways: 1) Sale – property is purchased by the town with its Open Space budget and matching funds from County, State, and private grants. Sometimes the Township can act as a “middleman” to arrange for sale of a property to the County or State to preserve it as farmland, or to a private environmental group, etc., while at other times the Township itself may acquire and preserve a property. 2) Donations – property is donated to the township or sold at less than market value with the specific intention of preserving the property. 3) Easements – the property owner retains title to the land and can sell it if he wishes, but an easement is placed on the property so it can only be used for recreation, conservation farmland, etc., while further development or subdivision is limited or prohibited. These basic methods of land preservation are often combined or modified to achieve the landowner’s objectives, which may include reducing an estate tax burden, providing an income stream for heirs, preserving land that a family has enjoyed, leaving behind a valued and useful memorial for future generations, furthering a specific purpose such as protecting an environmentally sensitive area or supporting local sports, or for other reasons. For further information about opportunities for you to help create open space in Mendham Township, contact Township Administrator Steve Mountain at (973) 543-4555. (Thanks
to B.B. and K.B.) ==== Health News and Services
Dates to Remember October 6th - Flu and Pneumonia Immunization Clinic - Basking Ridge Firehouse, 9-11:00 am October 7th - “ * - Chester Borough Hall, 9-11:00 am Those 65 or older and those with chronic health concerns are eligible, at a cost of $5 for residents or $10 for non-residents; there is NO CHARGE with valid Medicare Part B card. To register, call 908-204-2520 for the Basking Ridge Clinic or 908-879-5361 for the Chester clinic. December 11th - Free rabies immunization clinic for cats and dogs at the Brookside Firehouse from 1 to 2:30 p.m. If you need any additional Board of Health information at any time, you can reach Linda at the Mendham Township Board of Health office at (973)543-4555. Free Blood Test, Eye Test,
Hearing Test The Chester Lions and Lioness Clubs are sponsoring a comprehensive blood, vision, and hearing screening program at the Chester Township Municipal Building, #1 Parker Road, on October 10th. These screenings normally would cost more than $125 through traditional providers but there is no charge to Mendham Township residents, thanks to the Clubs. You must pre-register to participate. Call (908)879-6500 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday - Friday. Note that you must fast for 12 hours prior to the blood screening. These are excellent and valuable programs, for which we thank the Lions. And the Lionesses! (Thanks to L.B. and M.K.) ==== Before You Can Sell Your Home ... Before the sale of any home in Mendham Township can be completed, the law requires that specific health and safety requirements must be met and confirmed by certification. Here’s what’s needed: 1. Certificate of Smoke Detector Compliance. Your detectors must be inspected to assure that they comply with all current regulations. Contact Fire Safety Inspector Jeffrey Betz at (973)543-5557. Fee: $35. 2. Certificate of Continued Use for an Individual Sewage Disposal System. Your septic system must be inspected by either a State of NJ licensed professional engineer or a Registered Environmental Health Specialist not affiliated with the Township. Application forms are available from the Board of Health office. The Certificate is issued when the application form is returned to the Board of Health. Fee: $35. 3. Certificate of Potability (for homes with a private well only). The water must be sampled by, and tested by a State certified laboratory for resale parameters required by the Township. The list of required tests is available form the Board of Health. The Certificate is issued when satisfactory test results are supplied to the Board of Health. Fee: $35. Lists of septic system inspectors and laboratories certified to perform water tests may be obtained from the Board of Health office, but you are not restricted to these lists. Call (973)543-4555. ==== “Sticker shock” in
reverse! Garbage costs come down -- again! Our Garbage Collection Is Almost FREE! As a Mendham Township resident you are entitled to use the town’s collection program, which means you pay only for the amount of garbage you produce. You merely pay a very small fee for a 15lb. bag-sticker to cover the cost of disposal of your household garbage at the Morris County Transfer Station. The Township covers the cost of the collector. Within the past month, the cost of a sticker for a 15 lb. bag of trash has come down 10% to just 60c! If you put out one 15 lb. bag per week, a year of trash collection is a mere $30! A sticker must be affixed to each bag garbage. If you place several bags in a garbage can and the total weight is not more than 15 lbs., place one sticker on the top bag so that it is visible when the lid is removed. If there is no sticker, the garbage cannot not be picked up. Stickers may be purchased from Waste Management of New Jersey Inc., by mail (50 Parker Road, Chester, NJ 07930) or as a convenience at the Mendham Apothecary located in the Village Shopping Center on Route 24 in Mendham. Stickers are available in lots of 10 at $.60 per sticker for each 15 pound bag of garbage. Garbage includes all waste resulting from the handling, preparation, cooking or consumption of foods. Garbage also includes normal household rubbish or refuse which is not recyclable, but not hazardous waste, and not bulk trash. Bulk trash does not require stickers. Bulk trash includes furniture, carpets, mattresses, large toys, empty paint cans (not oil based), or other items too large to fit into a garbage can. Please note, however, that bulk trash does not include any type of construction, building, demolition or renovation materials. Curbside recycling is collected every other Monday, and garbage pick-up is every Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday depending on your address. To be sure of the rules or for additional information, do not hesitate to call town hall at (973) 543-4555.
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