PARSIPPANY — Morris County’s Open Space Trust Fund Committee recommended the award of $1.49 million in county preservation grants for six 2020 open space projects, totaling 69 acres located in five Morris County towns.

The projects were presented to the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders at a virtual public hearing.  Included are projects in Kinnelon, Mendham Borough, Morris Plains, Parsippany-Troy Hills, and Washington Township.  They range from a 1.6-acre tract in Mendham Borough, which adjoins borough parkland, to a 36-acre forested tract in Washington Township that abuts farmland preserved through a project sponsored by the nonprofit Trust for Public Land.

The freeholders will make a formal decision on the grant recommendations at the board’s Monday, November 23, virtual meeting. Public phone and web access will be posted before the meeting.

Funding for the projects will come from the voter-approved Morris County Open Space & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, which is generated by a special county tax. The funding source also is used for farmland and historic preservation, county parkland acquisition, trail construction, and the purchase of residential properties prone to flooding.

Jay Thomson, who chairs the 15-member Morris County Trust Fund Committee, presented the recommendations to the freeholder board, noting the recommended awards range from $84,825 to $659,000.

“We would like to thank you, the Freeholders of Morris County, for your continued support of the Open Space & Farmland Preservation program,’’ said Thomson.  “These projects have made a lasting impact on the quality of life of the residents of Morris County.”

“Morris County’s careful and strategic practice of preserving open space for the public is why our County is consistently rated one of the best places in the nation to live, work and raise a family. This ongoing effort is one of the most important government functions the Freeholder Board oversees, and we are dedicated to continuing this program to the benefit of our residents and future generations,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, the board liaison to the committee.

A portion of the county’s Open Space Tax, which this year is 3/4ths of 1 cent per $100 of assessed property value, is used to fund open space preservation. Any of the 39 municipalities in the county and qualified charitable conservancies are eligible to apply for project funding.

The Open Space grant program has helped preserve 12,706 acres in 36 of the county’s 39 towns since the awarding of grants started in 1994. Morris County voters approved the program in November 1992.

For details on each project click here.

The following is a look at the 2020 Open Space Recommendations:

1. Boonton Avenue Recreational Facility, Kinnelon

• Applicant – Borough of Kinnelon
• 17 acres
• Recommended Award – $150,000
• Description – This property is located on Boonton Avenue at the intersection with Fayson Lake Road. The Borough of Kinnelon has utilized this property for recreational use since 1974, and had a lease agreement with the Town of Boonton, the owner from 1974 to 2019.  The Borough is interested in purchasing rather than entering into another lease with the Town of Boonton.  This would enable Kinnelon to be the owner of the facility that they invested in, and will ensure that the facility is available for the residents of Kinnelon in perpetuity.  The Town of Boonton is a willing seller and the Borough is currently in negotiations with the Town to acquire the property.

2. United Methodist Church Property Acquisition, Borough of Mendham

• Applicant – Borough of Mendham
• 6 acres
• Recommended Award – $220,000
• Description – The project site covers 1.60 wooded acres behind the United Methodist Church in Mendham Borough, located at 10 East Main Street. The property is surrounded by existing parkland owned by Mendham Borough on Park Avenue (Mendham Borough Park).  The project site is forested with mature trees.  The Borough envisions maintaining the forested nature of the site and features a walking trail that connects to the active recreational uses in the surrounding Borough Park.  The project site is important for the Borough because it represents the only area where the Borough Park can expand.

3. Watnong Brook Greenway, Morris Plains.

• Applicant – Borough of Morris Plains
• 29 acres
• Recommended Award – $204,000
• Description – The acquisition of this parcel is uniquely important to the Borough for two reasons: (1) preservation of natural habitat, prevention of stream encroachment, and flood mitigation, and (2) preservation of an existing path connecting multiple neighborhoods. The portion of the proposed preserved property to the north of the Watnong Brook is heavily wooded with mature trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and native flowers.  The acquisition of this parcel will ensure that the existing path that connects multiple neighborhoods in the Borough will be preserved in perpetuity.

4. Kosut Property Acquisition – Parsippany

Applicant – Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills

• 44 acres
• Recommended Award – $659,000
• Description – The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is applying to the Morris County Open Space Trust Fund for the acquisition of the Kosut Tract for the future development of a park and recreational facility. The Kosut tract is located on Knoll Road across from the Boonton Reservoir (also known as the Jersey City Reservoir).  The property surrounding the Kosut Tract is already owned by the Township and makes up the 11.1-acre Fieldfair Property.  The Kosut Tract is the final parcel of land required to complete the Fieldfair Property.  The acquisition of the Kosut Tract has been a long-time goal of the Township.

5. Linking Open Space in Washington Township – Central, Washington

• Applicant – Washington Township
• 5 acres
• Recommended Award – $84,825
• Description – The Township of Washington is applying for the preservation of this 14.5-acre tract. This heavily wooded property contains some existing trails and one of the highest points in the township. The project will create connectivity with a 63-acre tract preserved for open space by Washington Township.

6. Linking Open Space in Washington Township – North, Washington

Applicant – New Jersey Conservation Foundation

• 06 acres
• Recommended Award – $180,000
• Description –The New Jersey Conservation Foundation is applying for the preservation of this 36.06-acre tract. This property is heavily wooded. This property’s direct access and gravel parking area off King’s Highway makes it an ideal location for a trailhead into future preserved properties.  The existing unimproved woods road on the property is an excellent foundation for a future trail network.

MORRIS COUNTY — Assemblyman Brian Bergen questioned Gov. Phil Murphy’s order Monday for restaurants to stop indoor dining by 10:00 p.m.

“What makes it any more dangerous to eat indoors at 10:00 p.m. than at 7:00 p.m.?” asked Bergen (R-Morris). “I would pay to see the data.”

At a Monday briefing on the virus, Murphy said that restaurants, bars, clubs, lounges, and casinos will no longer be able to serve food or alcohol indoors between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.

Bergen said that Murphy should not be the sole arbiter of statewide decisions.

“I put a bill up months ago that would require Governor Murphy to involve the legislature in his decision making,” said Bergen. “The majority party refused to hear it and now here we are again with the governor unilaterally picking and choosing which industries to target.”

On May 11, Bergen introduced legislation (A4147) that would require the governor to seek legislative approval for executive orders that would last beyond 14 days. Democrats voted it down when Republicans motioned for its passage at an Assembly session in June.

“Mark my words, this is the governor’s shot across the bow of shutting us down again,” predicted Bergen. “How long can we live under complete autonomous rule by one man? It is time the legislature restores checks and balances on the governor.”

PARSIPPANY — Lightbridge Academy, 24 South Jefferson Road, Whippany, made a $500.00 donation to Parsippany PAL to purchase PPE supplies.

Pictured above is Sam Yodice, PAL Executive Director; Sandy Zazzera, Director Lightbridge Academy of Whippany; Manisha Miles, Lightbridge Academy of Whippany; and James Garrick, PAL President.

Lightbridge Academy offers a unique Circle of Care, in which the needs of parents are as important as the care and education of their children. For more information click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Table of Hope, with the support of local officials, businesses, agencies, and volunteers, will be holding a Thanksgiving food distribution, including turkeys, fresh produce, can goods, and dairy for a holiday meal, at County College of Morris (CCM) on Saturday, November 21.

The food distribution, open to Morris County residents, takes place from 10:30 a.m. to noon in Parking Lot 1 on the CCM campus. Visitors are asked to use CCM’s Center Grove Road entrance. The distribution will operate as a no-questions-asked, contactless drive-through event with cars stopping at different food stations categorized by food type. Visitors only need to open the trunk of their car to have boxes of food placed there by volunteers. Also to be distributed are hats and gloves for the colder months.

This is the third food distribution event Table of Hope is holding at CCM in partnership with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Supporting organizations include Alstede Farm and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. Serving as volunteers will be about 60 CCM faculty, staff, and students, along with college administrators.

Those who would like to make a contribution to meet the goal of providing 600 turkeys for distribution can mail a check to Alstede Farms, LLC, Post Office Box 278, Chester, New Jersey 07930 and write “TOH Turkey” in the Memo field.

A holiday toy drive also is being held in conjunction with the Thanksgiving food distribution. New, unopened toys can be brought to CCM’s Department of Public Safety near Parking Lot 10 on the college campus. Toy donations are being accepted through November 20.

The previous Table of Hope event at CCM, held in August, provided backpacks with school supplies for children to help them start their school year strong, along with food. The first event, held in June, had New Jersey First Lady Tammy Snyder Murphy, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, State Senator Anthony M. Bucco, and Freeholders John Krickus and Steve Shaw serving as volunteers.

Shortly after COVID-19 struck, Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams, pastor of Bethel Church of Morristown, converted the Table of Hope bus that was used to pick up food for its pantry and soup kitchen so it could be utilized for mobile food distribution. Williams is the founder of the Spring Street Community Development Corporation that operates Table of Hope and other programs to improve the lives of individuals and families in Morris County.

“We are delighted to partner once again with CCM so families throughout Morris County can enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner,” said Williams.

“We’re delighted to host this event to help those in need during a very difficult and challenging time so they can have a true Thanksgiving,” said Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, CCM president. “We’re proud to partner once again with Table of Hope and Morris County’s Freeholders, Chamber of Commerce, Sheriff’s Office, Alstede Farms, and others to ensure people can put food on their tables. It makes us proud to be part of a community that truly cares for its own.”

In March, Table of Hope began operating weekly mobile food distribution programs in Morristown, Parsippany, and Dover, along with additional grocery supply events in other Morris County communities. Prior to COVID-19, its pantry in Morristown served about 65 people weekly. The number now being served each week at each mobile distribution event averages 1,000 to 1,500 individuals, reports Teresa Williams, executive director of the Spring Street Community Development Center. To date, more than 18,500 individuals and families have been helped and over 899,300 pounds of food has been distributed.

The Table of Hope soup kitchen has continued to provide dinners but as a take-out service during the pandemic. Table of Hope receives food from the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside, local farms, and foodservice companies. To volunteer or make a donation, visit the Spring Street CDC website by clicking here.

Along with Table of Hope, numerous other services are available to assist residents in Morris County’s 39 municipalities who are in need of food. A list of available food services, including food pantries, volunteer shopper organizations, meal delivery services, and take-out meal services, can be found by clicking here.

PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Laura Wohland welcomed new member Olga Tsiavos at its annual installation dinner held at Elmas Turkish and Mediterranean Cuisine.

Wohland said “Kiwanis is something so good that each of us loves to share it. What better way to show our love for our club and our community than to welcome a new member to our club? Today we’re very pleased to welcome Olga to our club. We welcome Olga to our global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.”

Olga is an expert in both buying and selling real estate. She is a licensed broker with over 16 years of experience and always provides a wealth of essential real estate knowledge for her clients.

Growing up in a family of “entrepreneurs of real estate and earning multiple educational achievements in business. Olga succeeded in working as an operations manager for multiple businesses. This road led Olga to find her passion for helping people find their perfect home. Within 3 years, she became the “Top Agent” in her first Real estate office and held that position for over 13 years. Olga earned significant market recognition earning the NJ Realtors Distinguished Sales Club Award in addition to many NJ Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence Awards.

Olga has extensive experience in relocation,  commercial property, leasing, foreclosure/ investment properties, and specializes in wide-ranging comprehensive seller marketing. Olga loves working with first time home buyers since it is one of the most exciting times in people’s lives.

Kiwanis members dedicate more than 6 million volunteer hours and invest more than $100 million in service projects that strengthen communities and serve children every year. Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany ensures that all children have the opportunity to lead healthy, successful lives. They believe that by helping one child, you help the world.

If you are interested in learning about our club, we currently meet weekly on Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner or you can join via Zoom by clicking here). For more information click here.