CHATHAM — Residents filled the Women’s Club Room at the Library of the Chathams on Wednesday, August 5, for a community presentation on the proposed Library Renovation Project.

The evening was well attended and constructive, with several residents adding their names to the community petition over the course of the evening.

Brian Stevens, principal at HMR Architects and the project architect, walked through the proposed renovation, from the reorganized floor plans to the building systems work hidden behind the walls, and answered questions from the floor. Mayor Jen Rowland and Deputy Mayor Marty McHugh of Chatham Township were among those in attendance. A Zoom option also allowed residents who were unable to attend in person to participate.

Residents engaged directly with the substance of the project. Many acknowledged the building’s structural and HVAC needs, and the discussion remained focused on the project itself and the work required to preserve the library for future generations.

The evening underscored what the project does and does not do. It preserves elements of the original 1924 building, including the fireplace and original woodwork that generations of residents have cherished. At the same time, it upgrades the heating, cooling, electrical and plumbing systems that six decades of additions left working against one another, while reorganizing the spaces residents use every day, all without significantly expanding the building’s footprint. Completing the work as a single project rather than in phases saves an estimated $1.7 million.

Funding for the proposed project is already taking shape to support the estimated $12 million total project cost. The initiative has secured a $2.45 million New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act grant, and the library has approximately $3 million available from prior fundraising and funds set aside over time through its annual operating budgets. In addition, the Chatham Township Committee adopted Resolution No. 2026-140, committing up to $1.25 million toward the project in its 2027 capital budget, subject to the 2027 budget approval process. The project estimate also includes appropriate contingencies.

Residents asked how the renovations would affect access to the library during construction. While many library services will remain operational for the duration of the work, significant portions of the library will need to be closed to the public during construction. The design team will explore ways for the construction to be sequenced throughout the library, possibly leaving some collections open to the public at specific times throughout construction, but these decisions will be primarily based on public safety. The library will notify the public well in advance of any building closures. The construction phase of the renovation is expected to take approximately 12 to 15 months, and the timeline will be updated as the design documents progress toward completion.

Residents also asked about parking. The parking lot and the land surrounding the library are municipal property and are not owned or controlled by the library, and the renovation stays within the building’s existing footprint. Questions about parking are directed to the municipality.

Residents with questions can find detailed answers in the Frequently Asked Questions on the Chatham Library Foundation’s project page. The FAQs address the questions raised most often so far, including why the repairs cannot be done one at a time, how the project will be funded, why renovating costs far less than building new, what happens to parking and to the recently renovated Teen Center, and the tax implications for each town. The same page also includes the full project packet, the appendix of supporting materials, the Part 2 responses to questions raised at the July meetings, and the August 5 presentation slides with floor plans and renderings.

The Chatham Library Foundation thanked Brian Stevens and Kevin Sheridan of HMR Architects for their presentation, Library Director Karen Brodsky for her leadership, and Board President Andy Hollander and the Board of Trustees for their guidance in bringing the project to this point.

The Library of the Chathams has served Chatham Borough and Chatham Township as a joint public library since 1975. Housed in a building that first opened in 1924, the library welcomed more than 194,134 in-person visits in 2025 and serves residents of both communities.

The Chatham Library Foundation is the nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the Library of the Chathams has the philanthropic support it needs to thrive for generations to come. Through fundraising, advocacy and community engagement, the foundation invests in projects, programs, technology, collections and spaces that strengthen the library beyond what public funding alone can provide. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established exclusively for charitable purposes to support the Library of the Chathams.

MORRIS COUNTY — Rose House, a nonprofit organization that creates homes for people with developmental disabilities throughout Morris County, has received a $1,663.00 donation from the Montville Township Women’s Club.

Seven members of the club also volunteered on Wednesday, helping prepare a mailing for Rose House’s annual 50-50 raffle.

The donation and raffle proceeds will support Rose House’s Forever Home Project, a capital campaign to build a new residential complex in Chester Township that will provide affordable housing and 24-hour support for 12 adults with developmental disabilities.

Rose House, headquartered in Parsippany, creates homes for people with special needs throughout Morris County and offers customized, self-directed programs to meet every need. The organization’s vision is a future inclusive community where everyone has a loving home.

To learn more about the Forever Home Project or Rose House’s annual 50-50 raffle, visit therosehouse.org.

TRENTON — State Senator Joe Pennacchio, R-Morris, Passaic, is calling on the administration and legislative leaders to put New Jersey at the forefront of commercial production of fusion energy.

“Fusion, unlike the current nuclear fission production of energy, fuses atoms together rather than splitting them apart. The collision and joining of those atoms create a tremendous amount of energy. Unlike current nuclear fission, fusion energy can provide us with limitless, inexpensive, and safe production of energy without the issue of radioactive by-products,” Pennacchio said.

Pennacchio pointed to Carlos Paz-Soldan, director of the Columbia Fusion Research Center at Columbia University, who has called for a Manhattan-style program for the development of commercial fusion energy in the United States.

“New Jersey, once a leader in fusion research, should take a leadership role in fusion development and commercialization,” Pennacchio said.

Pennacchio said fusion offers a limitless, inexpensive, safe and environmentally friendly way of eventually meeting the nation’s energy needs.

“Fusion energy is not a theoretical concept anymore, it is real. We in New Jersey should take advantage of that,” Pennacchio said.

According to Paz-Soldan, China spent $6.5 billion on fusion projects in 2023, while the United States spent about $800 million.

“It’s unfortunate that it takes an energy crisis like shutting down the Straits of Hormuz for the United States to start focusing on a vital energy alternative and solution,” Pennacchio said.

Pennacchio has introduced a number of bills in the Senate to encourage the research and application of fusion energy in New Jersey. He pointed to Virginia, which recently appropriated $1 million to secure the world’s first commercial fusion power plants.

“This is a non-partisan issue which all sides can agree on. Let’s restore New Jersey once again as being a leader in fusion research and development,” Pennacchio said.

MORRIS COUNTY — Daniel A. Scola Jr., managing partner of Hoffmann & Baron, LLP, appeared as a guest on the “Business Legacy Podcast,” hosted by Paul Dio.

In the conversation, Scola discussed the need for authentic, human communication and trust in addition to the use of advanced technology.

“Without that human connection, it is not easy to build strong client relationships,” Scola said. “You have to read people, you have to understand what their needs are, and it is difficult to do so if you do not have a real, in-person relationship.”

Scola also explained the purpose behind trademarks, saying their primary function is to protect the public rather than simply the trademark owner.

“It is all about the goodwill of who produced it. It identifies the owner,” Scola said. “It is intended to protect the public, so they know where to buy. If they buy this brand, it is from a good source, and they can trust the source. That is what trademarks are all about; protecting the brand through knowing what the source is.”

Scola manages Hoffmann & Baron’s chemical, pharmaceutical, biochemical and medical device practice group out of the firm’s New Jersey office at 4 Century Drive in Parsippany. He has extensive experience in polymers, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, and specializes in building intellectual property portfolios and designing strategies to protect and enhance company value. He previously served as counsel for patents and trademarks and as assistant corporate secretary at The Warner-Lambert Co. and as an intellectual property attorney at Loctite Corporation. Before earning his law degree, Scola worked as an adhesive and composite-materials engineer at the Pratt and Whitney Division of United Technologies.

Scola is also a contributing author in the newly published book “Be That Lawyer: 101 Top Rainmakers’ Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice,” featuring insights from 101 legal professionals on business development, mindset and success. In his chapter, “Beyond the Pitch,” Scola wrote about his path to managing partner.

“Most attorneys start at a firm and move in-house, whereas I was in-house counsel before entering private practice,” Scola wrote. “This unusual trajectory shaped my understanding of a client’s needs and fueled my commitment to truly understand the business side of law.”

Hoffmann & Baron, LLP is a full-service law firm specializing in intellectual property, both domestically and internationally. Established in 1984 by co-founders Charles R. Hoffmann and Ronald J. Baron, the firm has offices in New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Surrogate Heather J. Darling served as a panelist Wednesday morning at the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey’s Annual Women in Commerce Awards breakfast, held at Glen Ridge Country Club before the event’s largest crowd to date.

The breakfast honored an accomplished group of women recognized for their leadership and impact across New Jersey’s business community. Jennifer Velez, attorney and chief executive officer of the Public Service Enterprise Group, delivered the keynote address, and the panel discussion was moderated by Jen Mannino, assistant vice president of marketing at LAN Associates.

Darling joined six fellow panelists — including leaders from HC Constructors, Santander Bank, Mikula Contracting, Valley Health System, Simply Sherri and SKC and Co. CPAs — for a wide-ranging discussion covering career journeys, defining moments, professional challenges, leadership philosophy and advice for women pursuing advancement in their careers.

Speaking on career advancement and leadership, Darling encouraged women in the audience not to shy away from pursuing what they want professionally.

“Women should never accept less than what they, with all their heart, truly believe they were meant to be,” Darling said.

Darling congratulated the accomplished and inspiring group of honorees, saying their achievements reflect the strength of New Jersey’s business community.

Darling continues to represent Morris County in civic and professional forums throughout the region, drawing on nearly three decades of experience across law, finance and public service.

The Morris County Surrogate’s Court oversees the probate of wills, administration of estates and guardianship matters for Morris County residents. Darling has served as Morris County Surrogate since January 2020. For more information, visit morrissurrogate.com.