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New Jersey’s ‘Skip the Stuff’ Law Takes Effect August 1, Changing Takeout Orders for Morris County Restaurants

By
Frank Cahill
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A takeout order of French fries, a hot dog and a soft drink illustrates the kind of meal affected by New Jersey’s “Skip the Stuff” law, which limits automatic distribution of disposable utensils and condiments starting August 1.

MORRIS COUNTY — Starting August 1, restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, diners, food trucks, drive-thrus and other food service businesses across Morris County and New Jersey will only be permitted to provide single-use utensils and condiment packets when customers specifically request them, under the state’s new “Skip the Stuff” law.

The law, known as S3195, applies regardless of whether an order is placed in person, by phone, online or through a delivery app. Online ordering systems will also be required to default to “no utensils or condiments,” requiring customers to actively opt in if they want them.

The law also changes dine-in service. Full-service restaurants with seating for ten or more customers will be required to provide reusable, washable utensils for customers eating on-site instead of disposable cutlery.

Customers will still be able to request disposable forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks, napkins and condiment packets. Businesses are not required to offer these items, but if they do, they may only hand out the specific types and quantities a customer asks for.

A related provision takes effect later: starting August 1, 2027, restaurants will no longer be allowed to offer bundled packs containing multiple disposable utensils or condiments, though self-service stations dispensing individual items will still be permitted in certain settings.

The law includes several exemptions. Kindergarten-through-twelfth-grade schools, health care facilities, and county or state correctional facilities are not covered by the requirements, and food court vendors have until August 1, 2028, to comply. Prepackaged food products that include utensils or condiments during manufacturing, along with single-use sauce cups served with specialty menu items, are also exempt.

According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the measure builds on the state’s broader effort to reduce single-use plastics, following a 2022 ban on single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food containers, and a 2021 requirement that plastic straws be provided only upon request.

Environmental groups, including Clean Water Action, have pointed to the volume of disposable utensils discarded nationally each year, much of it never used, as a driver behind the legislation. The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators has described New Jersey’s law as among the most comprehensive of its kind in the country.

A fiscal analysis by the New Jersey Office of Legislative Services found the law could produce long-term savings for restaurants and government-run food service facilities by reducing the purchase of disposable items, though some businesses may face short-term adjustment costs. The analysis also noted that state and local governments will take on additional enforcement responsibilities, with fines collected supporting litter cleanup and environmental education through the Clean Communities Program Fund.

Businesses that do not comply will receive a warning for a first violation, followed by a $100 fine for a second offense and $250 for a third or subsequent violation within a twelve-month period.

Morris County restaurant and food service owners with questions about compliance can consult guidance from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Morris County Joins Nationwide Reading of Declaration of Independence

By
Frank Cahill
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MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County will join communities across the nation on Wednesday, July 8, for a synchronized public reading of the Declaration of Independence, marking the 250th anniversary of the document’s first public reading and closing out the county’s weeklong “Light to Unite” celebration of America’s semiquincentennial.

The public is invited to gather on the front lawn of the historic Morris County Courthouse, 56 Washington St., beginning at 5:45 p.m., with the reading starting promptly at 6:00 p.m. The timing coincides with communities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. territories, which will take part in the nationwide “Sharing the Spirit of America” initiative at the same moment.

The reading will also be livestreamed on the Morris County Facebook page. County officials are encouraging municipalities, civic organizations, veterans halls and other local groups to organize their own synchronized readings throughout Morris County at exactly 6:00 p.m. on July 8.

The ceremony will feature members of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners along with county constitutional officers Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Sheriff James M. Gannon, County Clerk Ann F. Grossi and Surrogate Heather J. Darling, as well as Superior Court Morris/Sussex Vicinage Assignment Judge Stuart A. Minkowitz, each reading an assigned portion of the Declaration of Independence.

“This event offers our community a unique opportunity to stand together and commemorate one of the defining moments in our nation’s history,” said Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw. “By joining Americans across the country in reading the Declaration of Independence at the exact same moment, we honor the principles of liberty and self-government that continue to unite us 250 years later.”

The date commemorates July 8, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was first read publicly in the yard of what is now Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The document was also read publicly in Trenton later that same day.

The Morristown ceremony will open with music from the Colonial Musketeers Senior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps of Hackettstown. Just before 6:00 p.m., the historic courthouse bell will ring 13 times before the reading begins.

Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to enjoy complimentary Bomb Pop frozen treats, view the Morris County 250th Traveling Mural, and explore a special 250th anniversary exhibit inside the courthouse. The exhibit traces the evolution of Morris County’s courthouses, highlights landmark trials, and features historic artifacts, photographs and interactive displays illustrating the county’s legal history. Visitors can also view exhibits on the history of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and pick up a complimentary pocket Constitution, courtesy of the New Jersey State Bar Association.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will move to the historic courtroom on the second floor of the Morris County Courthouse.

The July 8 reading also caps off Morris County’s “Light to Unite” campaign, which began July 2 and encouraged residents, businesses, schools, houses of worship and local governments to light homes, buildings and landmarks in red, white and blue in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Meet Striker: Lake Hiawatha Rescue Seeks Home for Yorkie-Chihuahua Mix Puppy

By
Frank Cahill
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MORRIS COUNTY — Wise Animal Rescue (WISE), a foster-based, all-volunteer nonprofit headquartered in Lake Hiawatha, is looking for a forever home for Striker, a 7-week-old Yorkshire Terrier-Chihuahua mix puppy.

Striker is female and small in size. According to WISE, she is “the total puppy package” — playful, happy and full of life, with days balanced between eating, playing and napping. The rescue describes her as outgoing and eager to make new friends, both human and canine, and says she is already making progress with wee-wee pad training.

Striker is good with kids, dogs and cats, WISE said. She is still working on house training, crate training and basic puppy manners, and the rescue recommends a patient home with time to continue her training, socialization and confidence-building as she grows.

WISE said some of the dogs it takes in come from large-scale breeding programs that are unable to place them due to medical needs, birth defects, appearance differences, or simply a lack of demand. The rescue partners with groups working to give those dogs a second chance, and says it is committed to caring for dogs of all kinds — healthy, medically fragile, senior or with special needs.

WISE is entirely volunteer-run, and donations go directly back to the animals in its care. The organization asks prospective adopters to support its program with a minimum donation of $850, which may not be applied directly to the dog being adopted but goes toward supporting all of the dogs in the rescue’s care.

Those interested in adopting Striker can fill out an application at WiseAnimalRescue.org.

Reprinted from Parsippany Focus Magazine, July 2026. Click here to read more.

Chatham Library Foundation Urges Residents to Weigh In Ahead of July Renovation Votes

By
Frank Cahill
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Preserving History: The historic 1924 Library of the Chathams building at 214 Main Street. The Chatham Library Foundation is encouraging community input ahead of critical local government funding decisions this July for the "A Space for Everyone" renovation project

CHATHAM — The Chatham Library Foundation is encouraging residents of Chatham Borough and Chatham Township to learn about a proposed renovation of the Library of the Chathams and to share their views with elected officials before key funding votes this month.

The Borough Council is scheduled to meet Monday, July 13, and the Township Committee on Tuesday, July 14, both at 7:30 p.m., to consider how to fund the project, known to the community as “A Space for Everyone.”

The plan would preserve the library’s historic 1924 building while replacing heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing and fire-suppression systems that were added piecemeal over the decades and no longer function together. It would also modernize public spaces within the building’s existing footprint, including a larger children’s center, flexible meeting and business spaces, STEM learning areas and a climate-controlled room to protect the library’s local history collection.

A $2.45 million New Jersey state grant and about $3 million in library funds and reserves are already committed, bringing roughly $5.45 million to the project. The Borough and Township are weighing how to cover the remaining balance, estimated at $6.5 million.

According to the Foundation, the library has spent nearly $200,000 on HVAC repairs since 2020, including more than $56,000 in 2025 alone. The building has experienced humidity levels as high as 91 percent, temperature swings from 63 to more than 81 degrees, and multi-day climate-control outages that the Foundation says put the local history collection at risk. The electrical system is more than 70 years old, and a recalled breaker box has already had to be replaced.

The Foundation says renovating is the more fiscally responsible option, citing a 2026 estimate that a comparable new building would cost $25 million to $28 million, compared with roughly $10.4 million in construction costs for the proposed renovation.

The Foundation also points to rising demand for the library’s services. About 86 percent of residents hold a library card, and the library draws more than 620 visits a day, according to the Foundation. Program attendance has more than quadrupled since 2021, the number of community meetings hosted has grown nearly sevenfold, and more than 50 organizations use its meeting spaces. The Foundation estimates the library delivered $3.9 million in value to residents in 2025 through books, technology, research help and gathering space.

The project was presented to both governing bodies on May 26. Township Committee members said afterward that they wanted to hear more from residents before deciding, prompting the Foundation’s outreach effort.

“For half a century, the library has belonged to both Chathams,” said Andy Hollander, president of the Chatham Library Foundation. “It’s where kids find their first books, where neighbors gather, and where our local history is kept safe. Renovating it now will let it keep doing all of that for the next hundred years. As our elected officials weigh the project’s future, we simply want every resident to understand what’s at stake and to have a real chance to be heard.”

The Foundation is encouraging residents to review the project packet and frequently asked questions, email members of the Borough Council and Township Committee, sign a community petition supporting the project, or speak during public comment at the July meetings. Additional information is available at chathamlibraryfoundation.org.

Hathaway Presses Mejia on Democratic ‘Socialism’ Pledge She Didn’t Sign

By
Press Release
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Joe Hathaway

MORRIS COUNTY — Republican congressional candidate Joe Hathaway is calling on U.S. Rep. Analilia Mejia to explain why she has not joined a group of Democratic lawmakers who recently signed a pledge distancing their party from socialism, according to a campaign statement released July 3.

The statement points to a “Promise to America” pledge, which several Democratic members of Congress and candidates unveiled declaring “We are capitalist, not socialist,” alongside statements of support for secure borders, safe communities, fiscal responsibility and effective government. Signers cited by the Hathaway campaign include U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi of New York. Mejia’s name is not among them.

“The interesting story isn’t that Republicans disagree with Analilia Mejia,” Hathaway said in the statement. “It’s that even Democrats are now saying their party has gone too far. They’ve put their names on a pledge rejecting socialism, supporting safe communities, secure borders, and common-sense government. Congresswoman Mejia had the same opportunity to stand with our district, and she didn’t.”

Hathaway, a Randolph Township councilman and the borough’s immediate past mayor, said voters in Morris, Essex and Passaic counties are focused on cost of living, public safety and housing affordability rather than ideological labels.

“People are exhausted by politics that rewards the loudest activists instead of the families trying to make ends meet,” Hathaway said. “This election is about choosing practical leadership over political movements. That’s the kind of representative I intend to be.”

Mejia, a Glen Ridge Democrat, won the 11th District seat in an April special election to succeed Gov. Mikie Sherrill, defeating Hathaway by a wide margin. She has been backed during her political career by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and previously led the New Jersey Working Families Alliance. Both candidates are running again this November for a full term. Mejia’s campaign did not immediately respond to the Hathaway statement.

Hathaway has served on the Randolph Township Council since 2022. He lives in Randolph with his wife, Whitney, and their three children.

New Superintendent Scot Burkholder Shares Message with Jefferson Township Families

By
Frank Cahill
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Scot Burkholder has been selected as the next Superintendent of Jefferson Township Public Schools. Burkholder brings more than two decades of educational leadership experience and will officially assume the role on July 1, 2026.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — New Jefferson Township Schools Superintendent Scot Burkholder, effective July 1, sent a letter to the “Falcon Family” this week, marking just his second day on the job with a message of appreciation and an outline of summer priorities ahead of the 2026-2027 school year.

Burkholder said he has already been struck by the community’s dedication to its schools. “In speaking with staff and parents, you can hear just how much our community cares about its schools and our shared mission to provide the best opportunities for our children in each and every classroom district-wide,” he wrote, calling Jefferson “a proud, hardworking town.”

During his first days, Burkholder visited several schools and met individually with staff, including a stop at the district’s Extended School Year program at White Rock Elementary. He said he watched ESY staff, the Special Services department, school administration, and the Buildings and Grounds team work after hours to prepare classrooms ahead of an expected heat wave, ensuring students and staff would be comfortable.

Looking ahead to the summer, Burkholder outlined several goals, including:

  • Reviewing community feedback gathered during the superintendent search process
  • Evaluating the district’s strategic plan, currently approved through 2028
  • Continuing advocacy for a fair state school funding formula, particularly for districts in the Highlands region
  • Meeting with building leadership and special services staff to expand opportunities for family feedback
  • Continuing conversations with supervisors and building principals about supporting a rigorous, supportive educational experience

Burkholder described his leadership approach as hands-on. “I believe in boots-on-the-ground leadership. In the coming months, you can trust that I will be visible and engaged in our students’ education and present to support our school events,” he wrote, encouraging families to introduce themselves if they see him at school events, in the bus line, or at district games.

He closed his message by wishing families a happy Independence Day holiday weekend.

Lake Hopatcong Man Charged with DWI After Two-Car Crash at Berkshire Valley Road Intersection

By
Frank Cahill
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0
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — A Lake Hopatcong man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated following a two-car crash at the intersection of Berkshire Valley Road and Minnisink Road on the evening of April 27, 2026, according to the Jefferson Township Police Department.

Jefferson Township Police Officer Liam Shernce and Jefferson Township Police Officer Dean Gonnella responded to the scene where they found two vehicles — a blue 2013 Chevrolet station wagon and a black 2017 Kia sedan that had collided at the intersection.

According to the report, Richard D. Terpstra Jr., 58, Lake Hopatcong, was traveling west on Berkshire Valley Road and attempted to turn into the wildlife area when he cut off the Kia, which was traveling east. The driver of the Kia, Ian Scott, 37, of Franklin, and his passenger, Kaleigh Boshart, 36, also of Franklin, were evaluated at the scene. Their airbags had deployed. Both refused further medical attention.

Officers observed multiple signs of intoxication in Terpstra, including a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, slurred speech, slow and fumbling hand movements, and glossy eyes. He was also leaning against his vehicle for support. When asked what he had purchased at Shoprite in Wharton — his stated destination — Terpstra said dog food, though no dog food was found in the vehicle.

When asked to count backwards from 90 to 70, Terpstra responded: “90, 89, 87, 88, 87, 86, 85, 84, 83, 82, 81, 81, keep going, 80, 79, 78, 77, 76, 75, 74, 73, 72, 71.”

Officers attempted to administer field sobriety tests, but Terpstra declined to perform the walk-and-turn and one-leg-stand tests. He was placed under arrest and transported to Jefferson Township Police Headquarters, where he refused to provide breath samples for the Alcotest 9510. The refusal was recorded and submitted per N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.2(e).

Terpstra was issued summonses for Driving While Intoxicated (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50), Reckless Driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-96), and Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.4A), with a mandatory court appearance at Jefferson Township Municipal Court.

Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Jefferson Township Man Charged with DWI After Car Crashes Into Woods

By
Frank Cahill
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Jefferson Township Police

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — A Wharton man was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after his vehicle ended up approximately 60 feet down an embankment and into the woods on the evening of May 9, 2026, according to the Jefferson Township Police Department.

PO Evan May responded to a report of a vehicle in the woods and upon arrival observed a red 2010 Ford Mustang lodged deep in the woods. The driver, Bob Klymasz, 68, Wharton, was found attempting to exit the vehicle.

According to the report, Klymasz explained that his vehicle had become stuck in his driveway. While attempting to free it, he placed the car in drive, stepped on the accelerator, and the vehicle went down an embankment, crashing into several trees before coming to a stop.

Officers observed Klymasz swaying, reaching for branches and trees to maintain his balance, and showing multiple signs of intoxication including slurred speech, bloodshot and glassy eyes, and a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. When asked how many drinks he had consumed, Klymasz initially said “a few,” later clarifying he had consumed five.

Field sobriety tests were attempted, but Klymasz was unable to complete the walk-and-turn or one-leg-stand tests due to his extreme inability to maintain balance — both tests were terminated early for safety concerns. PO Matthew Johnson subsequently administered the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN) test, observing six indicators consistent with impairment.

Klymasz was placed under arrest and transported to Jefferson Township Police Headquarters, where a breath test administered on the Alcotest 9510 revealed a blood alcohol content of .15% — nearly twice the legal limit of .08%.

Klymasz was issued summonses for Driving While Intoxicated (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50) and Reckless Driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-96), with a mandatory court appearance scheduled for May 28, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Jefferson Township Municipal Court. He was subsequently released to the custody of his sister, Mary Mosier.

Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Maryland Man Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Attempted Sexual Assault of Minor in Online Chat Investigation

By
Frank Cahill
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Morris County Prosecutor

MORRIS COUNTY — A Maryland man has been sentenced to four years in New Jersey State Prison following an undercover investigation by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood and Chief of Detectives Robert McNally confirmed that Cristobal Slobodzian, 38, of Hyattsville, Maryland, was sentenced on June 26, 2026 by Judge Ralph Amirata in connection with multiple online communications made with an undercover agent posing as a minor child.

On March 30, 2026, Slobodzian pled guilty to one count of third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child and one count of third degree Obscenity. Upon release from prison, Slobodzian is required to adhere to Megan’s Law and parole supervision for life.

The investigation began in July 2025, when Slobodzian used a teen chat application to contact someone he believed to be a 13-year-old female, who was actually an undercover agent with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office ICAC Task Force. Slobodzian engaged in sexually explicit conversations with the 13-year-old persona and sent numerous explicit images.

The investigation revealed Slobodzian to be a resident of Prince George’s County, Maryland. With the assistance of Prince George’s County Police Department officers, members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office ICAC Unit executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Hyattsville residence on November 12, 2025. Slobodzian was subsequently arrested, detained in Maryland, and extradited to New Jersey.

The prosecution resulted from coordination among the Prince George’s County Police Department Special Crimes Division ICAC/CVAA unit, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, and the MCPO Digital Investigations Unit.

Andrew Leonard Graduates From Georgia Tech

By
Frank Cahill
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BOONTON — Andrew Leonard was among 7,129 undergraduate and graduate students who received degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology during the university’s 270th Commencement exercises, held May 7-9 at McCamish Pavilion and Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Georgia Tech, one of the top public research universities in the United States, offers degrees in business, computing, design, engineering, liberal arts and sciences. Its more than 56,000 undergraduate and graduate students represent 54 U.S. states and territories and more than 146 countries, studying at the main campus in Atlanta, at instructional sites around the world, and through distance and online learning.

As a leading technological university, Georgia Tech serves as an engine of economic development for Georgia, the Southeast and the nation, conducting more than $1 billion in research annually for government, industry and society.

For more information, visit gatech.edu.

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Morris Focus was founded in 2017 and is published in print and online formats. Its mission is to provide timely and accurate news coverage to Morris County residents and promote community engagement and involvement. The newspaper covers various topics, including local government, education, business, and sports. We can be reached by calling (973) 559-6000—a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.

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