MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed the New Jersey Foreclosure Prevention Act (A5130).

The New Jersey Foreclosure Prevention Act creates the ‘New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Prevention Program’, implementation of which will be led by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) in furtherance of the agency’s commitment to affordable housing ownership and foreclosure mediation. This program empowers NJHMFA to address the rising number of foreclosures in New Jersey, not only helping to stabilize families’ homeownership but their neighborhood as well. By establishing public-private partnerships with nonprofits, NJHMFA will be able to undertake supportive interventions including bulk purchases of non-performing loans from institutional lenders, advancing recommendations set forth in the 2018 Report of the Housing Transition Advisory Committee.

“Combatting housing insecurity in New Jersey is essential during these extraordinarily trying times. We have an obligation to identify new and innovative ways to aid our state’s residents in this time of stress,”　said Governor Murphy.　”This bill provides pathways to help more New Jersey homeowners remain in their homes.”

Stable housing for New Jersey residents is a focal point of this administration. Prior to this legislation’s enactment, Governor Murphy directed NJHMFA in March of 2020 to expand its Foreclosure Mediation Assistance Program (FMAP) to include pre-foreclosure counseling to help homeowners avoid potential foreclosure, and to begin offering counseling assistance to renters. This expanded program has assisted approximately 2,163 families, comprising roughly 1,430 rental households and approximately 500 owner-occupied　households.

Stable housing is an economic, health, and community imperative.  The New Jersey Foreclosure Prevention Act is designed to help address the impacts of growing housing insecurity, from homeowners in need to communities confronting vacant and abandoned properties. By addressing these intersecting challenges, this legislation is a crucial step toward housing stability for families and communities across our state.

“The New Jersey Foreclosure Act acknowledges and seeks to assist struggling homeowners in New Jersey. It has proven prescient as that need has grown exponentially within the last year,” said Lt. Governor Oliver, who serves as New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner and NJHMFA board chair. “This Act and its ensuing　programs will work in tandem with the State’s existing programs to help prevent our most vulnerable residents from losing their homes.”

“This legislation will help New Jersey families keep their homes and ensure that foreclosed properties reenter the homeownership market, stabilizing neighborhoods and helping families become homeowners”, said Melanie R. Walter, Executive Director, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.”It facilitates crucial interventions including the expansion of NJHMFA’s partnerships with Community Development Financial Institutions, creation of new mortgage products, and establishment of a revenue stream to support housing stabilization in our state.”

“New Jersey has　made great strides in addressing the previous　foreclosure crisis, and we do not want to see history repeat itself when　the foreclosure moratorium is eventually lifted,” said　Senator Singleton. “With the pandemic decimating　the economy, countless people　around the state are on the brink of losing their homes. Now law, the New Jersey Foreclosure Prevention Act will help to stave off a wave of foreclosures, and more importantly, keep families in their homes.”

“New Jersey is in a housing crisis and has been for many years. There are many foreclosed vacant residential properties throughout the state that are undermining the health, safety, and economic vitality of neighborhoods. They depress neighboring property values, reducing revenues for municipalities,” said Assembly sponsors Mila Jasey, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, and Benjie Wimberly.”The New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Prevention Program will assist struggling homeowners facing foreclosure and also help with the redevelopment of currently vacant properties due to foreclosures.”MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed the New Jersey Foreclosure Prevention Act (A5130).

The New Jersey Foreclosure Prevention Act creates the ‘New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Prevention Program’, implementation of which will be led by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) in furtherance of the agency’s commitment to affordable housing ownership and foreclosure mediation. This program empowers NJHMFA to address the rising number of foreclosures in New Jersey, not only helping to stabilize families’ homeownership but their neighborhood as well. By establishing public-private partnerships with nonprofits, NJHMFA will be able to undertake supportive interventions including bulk purchases of non-performing loans from institutional lenders, advancing recommendations set forth in the 2018 Report of the Housing Transition Advisory Committee.

“Combatting housing insecurity in New Jersey is essential during these extraordinarily trying times. We have an obligation to identify new and innovative ways to aid our state’s residents in this time of stress,”　said Governor Murphy.　”This bill provides pathways to help more New Jersey homeowners remain in their homes.”

Stable housing for New Jersey residents is a focal point of this administration. Prior to this legislation’s enactment, Governor Murphy directed NJHMFA in March of 2020 to expand its Foreclosure Mediation Assistance Program (FMAP) to include pre-foreclosure counseling to help homeowners avoid potential foreclosure, and to begin offering counseling assistance to renters. This expanded program has assisted approximately 2,163 families, comprising roughly 1,430 rental households and approximately 500 owner-occupied　households.

Stable housing is an economic, health, and community imperative.  The New Jersey Foreclosure Prevention Act is designed to help address the impacts of growing housing insecurity, from homeowners in need to communities confronting vacant and abandoned properties. By addressing these intersecting challenges, this legislation is a crucial step toward housing stability for families and communities across our state.

“The New Jersey Foreclosure Act acknowledges and seeks to assist struggling homeowners in New Jersey. It has proven prescient as that need has grown exponentially within the last year,” said Lt. Governor Oliver, who serves as New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner and NJHMFA board chair. “This Act and its ensuing　programs will work in tandem with the State’s existing programs to help prevent our most vulnerable residents from losing their homes.”

“This legislation will help New Jersey families keep their homes and ensure that foreclosed properties reenter the homeownership market, stabilizing neighborhoods and helping families become homeowners”, said Melanie R. Walter, Executive Director, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency.”It facilitates crucial interventions including the expansion of NJHMFA’s partnerships with Community Development Financial Institutions, creation of new mortgage products, and establishment of a revenue stream to support housing stabilization in our state.”

“New Jersey has　made great strides in addressing the previous　foreclosure crisis, and we do not want to see history repeat itself when　the foreclosure moratorium is eventually lifted,” said　Senator Singleton. “With the pandemic decimating　the economy, countless people　around the state are on the brink of losing their homes. Now law, the New Jersey Foreclosure Prevention Act will help to stave off a wave of foreclosures, and more importantly, keep families in their homes.”

“New Jersey is in a housing crisis and has been for many years. There are many foreclosed vacant residential properties throughout the state that are undermining the health, safety, and economic vitality of neighborhoods. They depress neighboring property values, reducing revenues for municipalities,” said Assembly sponsors Mila Jasey, Verlina Reynolds-Jackson, and Benjie Wimberly.”The New Jersey Residential Foreclosure Prevention Program will assist struggling homeowners facing foreclosure and also help with the redevelopment of currently vacant properties due to foreclosures.”

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its regularly scheduled council meeting Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will be held via a web conferencing program named WebEx. This program will allow the public to listen in to the meeting and to participate during the public portion session only. This program uses a “raise hand” button in the software to address those who wish to speak during the public portion.

Please be advised that in order for a member of the public to speak during the public portion, they will need to provide their first name, last name, email address, address and city accurately. Anyone not using their real name and address will not be allowed to speak during the public portion.

• Click here for the council meeting agenda.
• Click here to access the meeting.

For more information, please contact the Township Clerk’s office at (973) 263-4351 or email pthclerk@parsippany.net.

Resolutions and Ordinances can be found below:

• R2021-034 Soil Moving Permit Parq Parsippany
• R2021-040 Cancellation of Imp Auth funded
• R2021-041 Authorize temp emerg approp
• R2021-042 Amending R2021-013 Appointing Public Defenders 2021
• R2021-043 APPROVING THE LOSAP CERTIFICATION LISTS FOR THE YEAR 2021
• R2021-044 Professional Engineering Architectural Services
• R2021-045 Nutrition Center Interlocal Agreement
• R2021-046 Sustainable Jersey TA Application
• R2021-047 Soil Moving Permit-Lidl US Operations, LLC
• R2021-048 Soil Moving Permit -Mountain Club
• R2021-049 Soil Moving Permit-Liquid Church
• R2021-050 Morris County Historic Trust Grant -Shutters
• R2021-051 Morris County Historic Trust Grant- ADA Restroom
• R2021-052 Well 14 Emergency Generator March 2021
• R2021-053 Mt. Tabor Various Streets Phase VI March 2021
• R2021-054 Lake Hiawatha Water Main Replacement Phase I Rebid March 2021
• R2021-055 Compressor Parks and Forestry March 2021
• R2021-056 Chassis Cab Crane for DPW March 2021
• R2021-057 Reimbursement Legal Fees Chief Phillips
• R2021-058 Ferncliff -Release from Affordable Housing Trust Fund to Community Options
• R2021-059 Affordable Housing Trust Fund to Community Options N. Beverwyck
• 2021-02 Authorizing Fox Run Developers LLC Easement Agreement
• 2021-03 Amending Chapter 405 Stop Signs
• 2021-04 Pudding Stone Easement Agreement

PARSIPPANY — Once again, Lake Hiawatha resident Brian Donlin is helping to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) through a fundraising effort for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Every year, hundreds of cyclists gather in different cities to ride in support of JDRF Research. Some are kids and adults with T1D, and some are the friends and family that support them. Sadly, last year’s events were canceled due to pandemic restrictions, but that didn’t stop Brian from surpassing his goal!

This year, he will be safety training for the 100-mile (century) ride at the Ramapo Rally in August later this year. Even if this event is canceled this year, he has plenty of options as a backup so he doesn’t miss out on his 100-mile challenge. Be on the lookout around the Lake Hiawatha and Montville areas for him!

Brian has known many people in his life that live with T1D, but it really hit home when the diagnosis came to his nephew Zach. Zach was diagnosed with T1D as he entered Kindergarten not long ago. It was initially extremely hard on him and his family, but through support and the research done through the JDRF, his life has been made just a little bit easier. Now 10, he has become accustomed to a life many of us would never understand. But leveraging current and new technologies along with advances in medicine, Zach just may be one of the first few to see T1D disappear altogether.

You can follow Brian’s progress on his personal site by clicking here.

You can also donate directly through his JDRF page by clicking here, or through his Facebook fundraiser. For more information on Brian or his fundraiser, please email him directly backyardcyclist@gmail.com.

The JDRF has been leading the fight against type 1 diabetes (T1D) by funding research, advocating for policies that accelerate access to new therapies, and providing a support network for millions of people around the world impacted by T1D. Every dollar donated goes directly to the JDRF to help everyone with T1D live healthier and longer, until this disease no longer exists.

Every mile pedaled is a mile closer to a cure. We can’t make it to the finish line without you!

MORRIS COUNTY — Many local families have been impacted financially as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Preschool Advantage is here to help and continues to accept applications for tuition assistance for children to attend its partner preschools for the school year beginning in September 2021. Children must be 3- or 4-years old by October 1, 2021.

April 3 is the next deadline for parents who qualify to receive financial help to place their child in a preschool classroom.

Preschool Advantage partners with 28 preschools in Morris and Somerset counties to provide a quality preschool education for families who could otherwise not afford it. We want to prepare children for a lifetime of learning that will create a better world for them, their families, and the community.

While there are federally funded programs to cover the cost of preschool for families living below the poverty line, many other families can’t afford early education due to the high cost of living in this region. Preschool Advantage is committed to giving children the opportunity to attend preschool and thus equalize the gap between lower-income families and affluent families.

To apply for assistance click here, call (973) 532-2501, or email program@preschooladvantge.org.

MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 230, which will increase indoor capacity limits for certain businesses and increase both the general indoor and outdoor gathering limit.

“We believe we can confidently take these steps today as our COVID-19 metrics continue to trend in the right direction,” said Governor Murphy.” However, our mask mandate and COVID-19 health and safety protocols remain in effect. I am hopeful that we’ll be able to take further steps in expanding capacity responsibly and incrementally guided by public health data.”

These changes will go into effect on Friday, March 19 at 6:00 a.m., aligned with increases in capacity in Connecticut and New York.

Executive Order No. 230 will effectuate the following changes:

Indoor Businesses

The following businesses may increase indoor capacity limits from 35 percent to 50 percent, excluding the employees of the establishment:

• Indoor premises of restaurants, cafeterias, and food courts, with or without a liquor license, and bars;
• Indoor recreation, amusement, and entertainment businesses (including casinos and gyms); and
• Personal care services (barber shops, nail salons, and other personal care businesses).

These businesses must continue to abide by current health and safety protocols, including face covering and physical distancing requirements.

Indoor Gatherings

• The general indoor gathering limit will increase from 10 people to 25 people.
• Indoor gatherings that currently have a higher limit – religious services or ceremonies, political events, weddings, funerals, memorial services, or performances – will remain unchanged.

Outdoor Gatherings

• The general outdoor gathering limit will increase from 25 people to 50 people.
• Outdoor gatherings that are religious services or ceremonies, political events, weddings, funerals, or memorial services will remain unchanged by the Order.

Click here to download a copy of Executive Order No. 230.

MOUNTAIN LAKES — A Mountain Lakes family is hopeful to find their missing cat lost in 2018. They are still searching. Acts feral; maybe with a colony; may have traveled far.

Please call/text 201-841-4917

MORRIS COUNTY — NJDOT officials announced the start of a rockfall mitigation project requiring lane and shoulder closures on I-80 westbound in Rockaway, Denville, and Parsippany-Troy Hills, Morris County.

Beginning at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 10, NJDOT’s contractor, Union Paving & Construction Co., Inc., is scheduled to close the right lane and shoulder on I-80 westbound between Fox Hill Road in Parsippany and Stony Brook Road in Rockaway.  This closure will allow the contractor to install a construction barrier in the shoulder creating a work zone.  Three lanes of traffic will be maintained throughout the day.

By 5 p.m. tomorrow evening, the right lane on I-80 westbound will reopen.  The shoulder will remain closed for the duration of the project.

The $3.2 million federally-funded projects will mitigate rockfall hazards in two locations on I-80 eastbound and westbound between milepost 36.78 and milepost 41.04.  It includes excavation and rock scaling, draped rockfall mesh, and riprap stone slope.  The project is anticipated to be complete by summer 2022.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors.  Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for construction updates and real-time travel information. For NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NewJerseyDOT and our Facebook page.