| On Wednesday, April 24, the Township Committee met and here is our summary of action from Committee Person Duarte: PROCLAMATION – This year our township celebrates its 275th anniversary, and Schiff Nature Preserve is marking 40 years in August! The Preserve is a testament to the power of residents organizing to stop overdevelopment. The property was used for decades as the national Boy Scout Training Camp, until 1979 when it was sold to AT&T for development as a corporate park. Residents who were worried about preserving the quiet nature of their community rose up to protest the project. They formed Citizens for a Residential Mendham, and the AT&T project was eventually dropped in face of public opposition. The Trust for Public Land acquired the property. Then in 1984, the land was transferred to the newly created Schiff Natural Lands Trust and placed into the hands of a Board of Trustees for stewardship and protection. It will be an honor, as the current longest serving Schiff Trustee, to read a Proclamation at tomorrow’s meeting. PRESENTATION – The Township Administrator Jason Gabloff will present the proposed 2024 municipal budget. A few highlights to point out. The amount to be raised by taxes is flat from 2023. The budget, if adopted, calls for a tax decrease of $413.78 for a home assessed at $1 million. (The average home in town is assessed at $1,045,145.) Fixed non-discretionary costs make up about 75 percent of the budget, such as pensions and the garbage contract. Of note, the budget includes $2.2 million, with a $208,504 state grant, to repave 10 roads. I am pleased to see a continued significant investment in roads, much higher than in years past, when road repaving was neglected. It also includes support to purchase new vehicles for both first-responder volunteer groups, the Fire Department and First Aid Squad, another positive change from recent budgets. Finally, there is also funding to buy a backhoe for the Department of Public Works. There is a public hearing on the budget and final vote for adoption at the May 29 meeting. ORDINANCES – We have two Ordinances on the agenda for introduction and first reading. The first updates the existing stormwater Ordinance to comply with state Department of Environmental Protection updates. The second is a bond Ordinance to fund this year’s road program. Second readings and public hearings for both are scheduled for the May 13 meeting. RESOLUTIONS – We will vote on Resolutions to: Pay township bills. Apply for state grant funding for the municipal alliance, which provides programs for mental health and substance use awareness. Introducing the municipal budget and set a public hearing date. Authorize a contract with DNS Media Group to guide and support the town in renewing its cable franchise agreement. Endorse a Sustainable Land Use pledge to participate in the state Sustainable Jersey program. DISCUSSION ITEMS – We will end the meeting with an update on the municipal building renovation work; the removal of dead/dying ash trees; and the proposed survey of East and West Main streets. |
Township Committee News
| On Wednesday, April 24, the Township Committee met and here is our summary of action from Committee Person Duarte: PROCLAMATION – This year our township celebrates its 275th anniversary, and Schiff Nature Preserve is marking 40 years in August! The Preserve is a testament to the power of residents organizing to stop overdevelopment. The property was used for decades as the national Boy Scout Training Camp, until 1979 when it was sold to AT&T for development as a corporate park. Residents who were worried about preserving the quiet nature of their community rose up to protest the project. They formed Citizens for a Residential Mendham, and the AT&T project was eventually dropped in face of public opposition. The Trust for Public Land acquired the property. Then in 1984, the land was transferred to the newly created Schiff Natural Lands Trust and placed into the hands of a Board of Trustees for stewardship and protection. It will be an honor, as the current longest serving Schiff Trustee, to read a Proclamation at tomorrow’s meeting. PRESENTATION – The Township Administrator Jason Gabloff will present the proposed 2024 municipal budget. A few highlights to point out. The amount to be raised by taxes is flat from 2023. The budget, if adopted, calls for a tax decrease of $413.78 for a home assessed at $1 million. (The average home in town is assessed at $1,045,145.) Fixed non-discretionary costs make up about 75 percent of the budget, such as pensions and the garbage contract. Of note, the budget includes $2.2 million, with a $208,504 state grant, to repave 10 roads. I am pleased to see a continued significant investment in roads, much higher than in years past, when road repaving was neglected. It also includes support to purchase new vehicles for both first-responder volunteer groups, the Fire Department and First Aid Squad, another positive change from recent budgets. Finally, there is also funding to buy a backhoe for the Department of Public Works. There is a public hearing on the budget and final vote for adoption at the May 29 meeting. ORDINANCES – We have two Ordinances on the agenda for introduction and first reading. The first updates the existing stormwater Ordinance to comply with state Department of Environmental Protection updates. The second is a bond Ordinance to fund this year’s road program. Second readings and public hearings for both are scheduled for the May 13 meeting. RESOLUTIONS – We will vote on Resolutions to: Pay township bills. Apply for state grant funding for the municipal alliance, which provides programs for mental health and substance use awareness. Introducing the municipal budget and set a public hearing date. Authorize a contract with DNS Media Group to guide and support the town in renewing its cable franchise agreement. Endorse a Sustainable Land Use pledge to participate in the state Sustainable Jersey program. DISCUSSION ITEMS – We will end the meeting with an update on the municipal building renovation work; the removal of dead/dying ash trees; and the proposed survey of East and West Main streets. |
Morris County Democrats Gala
Join Chairwoman Amalia Duarte, the MCDC Host Committee and Honorary Special Guest U.S. Senator Booker for the 2022 MCDC Gala on October 7th at the Hyatt Regency in Morristown, NJ. We’re organizing a Mendham table so get your tickets today!
Backyard Beer Tasting with Mendham Dems, Fri. 9/16, 6-8 pm
Join your candidates from Mendham TOWNSHIP—Martin Slayne and Lauren Spirig—and Mendham BOROUGH—Melissa Rawley Payne, Melissa Wojcik, and Melissa Young— for an evening with Lindsay Steen, co-owner of Wild East Brewing Company in Brooklyn! Funds raised will benefit ALL candidates. The event will be held in a private home in Brookside. Address will be given with ticket receipt. https://www.facebook.com/events/1403567313458059/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A%5B%7B%22surface%22%3A%22external_search_engine%22%7D%2C%7B%22mechanism%22%3A%22your_upcoming_events_unit%22%2C%22surface%22%3A%22bookmark%22%7D%5D%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3Anull%7D
Panel Discussion: The Dangers of Overdevelopment, 9/8, 7 pm
Sponsored by Slayne & Spirig for Mendham Township Committee. Thursday, 9/8, 7pm at the Brookside Community Club. The current Mendham Township Committee’s Master Plan suggests that the township could sustain close to 300 new homes—but what would that mean for our infrastructure, our environment, and our services? Join us for a discussion with local experts and dedicated volunteers, hosted by Martin Slayne and Lauren Spirig. Please register in advance so we can ensure seating and refreshments for all!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSev2gMByR6XunC1sFIbmgVqfxATeds-sOKAIWZ8Tc9Gi6PTwQ/viewform?fbzx=-7657841468004634319
March with local Dems at the Labor Day Parade
Contact Nancy at mendhamborodems@gmail.com
The Mendham Borough Dems are registered to march to support the Melissa3 campaign. Tom Malinowski will be marching with us and we will be joined by our friends in the Township and the Chesters.
Mondays for Malinowski
Virtual phonebanking for Tom Malinowski every Monday starting at 5:30 p.m. Join Team Tom as we make calls to voters in NJ-7! Every phonebank will begin with a training on how to phonebank and how talk to voters about Tom. The Zoom link will be emailed to you before the event! We’ll be making calls every Monday until the election so join us every week to make sure we re-elect Tom this fall! https://www.mobilize.us/malinowskiforcongress/event/438416/
8/15, 6-8 pm, Meet Tom, Lauren, and Martin
Come to a gathering at Mary and Michael Millea’s house and hear from Congressman Tom Malinowski about the importance of this election. Listen to local candidates Martin Slayne and Lauren Spirig about their vision for Mendham Township. Learn about our new neighbor-to-neighbor program to help support Congressman Malinowski and Martin and Lauren. Enjoy food, drinks, and friendship with your fellow Democrats. Mendham Township address provided upon RSVP. Get tickets today!
08/25: MTDC monthly meeting, 7 pm
Monthly business meeting. For more information contact chair@mendhamtwpdems.com.
01/27: MTDC monthly meeting
Monthly business meeting. For more information contact chair@mendhamtwpdems.com.
Mendham Township Democratic Committee 