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
Murphy Signs Legislation Authorizing Comprehensive Programs to Address Mortgage Distress
MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed the New Jersey Foreclosure Prevention Act.
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.
table 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.” “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.”
Sherrill Backs Landmark Legislation to Protect Workers’ Right to Organize
PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) today voted for the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, landmark legislation to support workers’ basic right to organize and negotiate for higher pay, better benefits, and safer working conditions.
“I know first-hand the impact a good-paying union job can have on a family. My grandfather’s union job helped my family move out of poverty and into the middle class after the Great Depression,” said Rep. Sherrill. “In North Jersey, unions are protecting workers’ rights and creating success for families just like it did for mine. But in too many places, a bitter fight for collective bargaining and organizing rights is still ongoing. The PRO Act is the most monumental effort to protect and expand those rights we’ve seen in decades. Bypassing it today, we’ve ensured that the hope for a good-paying union job is alive and well for millions of workers across the country.”
“The PRO Act will help restore our middle class by strengthening the voice of workers allowing them to negotiate better pay and working conditions. It will help eliminate ‘right to work’ laws. Laws established to benefit big businesses and the wealthy at the expense of workers. This is truly one of the most pivotal times in America’s history for workers,” said Anthony Abrantes, Organizing & Political Director for the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters.
“Workers need to be able to fight for their rights and protections. It is incumbent upon us to secure this right for all workers. The PRO Act would guarantee that as Americans we are able to engage in this type of activity without our fear of retaliation from our employers. We support it and urge Congress to think about our essential workers, and their basic protections. It is time to pass the PRO Act now,” said Kevin Brown, Executive Vice President and Director of 32BJ New Jersey.
“The PRO Act is one of the most important pieces of labor legislation we’ve seen in decades,” said Ken Simone, President of The Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union of New Jersey Local 4. “The House passing this bill today is nothing short of a game-changer for union workers in New Jersey and for workers around the country seeking to exercise their rights to organize. Unions built the middle class and continue to fight for working people everywhere, and the PRO Act will be crucial in maintaining that legacy. This couldn’t have happened without Rep. Sherrill’s steadfast leadership in the fight to protect collective bargaining and organizing rights, and we thank her for being a strong voice for the workers of New Jersey.”
I-80 Westbound Lane and Shoulder Closures Wednesday
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.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church to Hold Fish Fry
MOUNTAIN LAKES — St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is hosting a “drive-thru” Fish Fry (and chicken) prepared by the famous Argyle’s of Kearny on Friday, March 19 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
All you need to do is to click here, pick your time and proceed to STEP 2 to place your order and make your payment.
To social distance during the fundraiser, meals will be brought to your car. Your email confirmation will serve as your ticket. Please be sure to have it with you for pick-up. This will be sent to you after you have paid online.
Please invite family and friends to enjoy a night…free from cooking and in support of St. Peter’s ministries.
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is located at 215 Boulevard.
Kiwanis Clubs Plan FREE Food Distribution
BOONTON — Kiwanis Club of Tri-Town will be one of five Kiwanis Clubs participating in free food distribution during the weekend of March 13 and March 14. People who need food can register at any of the locations: Boonton, Parsippany, Clifton, Roxbury, or Asbury Park.
“The USDA estimates that in 2018, about 774,860 people, including 219,760 children, in New Jersey were food insecure. That means one in 11 individuals (8.7%) and one in nine children (11.3%) live in homes without consistent access to adequate food for everyone to live healthy, active lives,” said Frank Cahill, Lt. Governor Kiwanis Division 9.
“The economic damage wrought by mass layoffs and business closures is expected to persist long after vaccines become widely available and that means demand for food assistance will remain at the current high level for months or years to come,” said Nicolas Limanov, President Kiwanis Club of Tri-Town.
The Kiwanis Club of Tri-Town will be distributing food at Boonton High School, 306 Lathrop Avenue, Boonton starting at 11:00 a.m., on Sunday, March 14. To register for the Boonton Food Distribution click here.
On Sunday Morning starting at 9:30 a.m. Kiwanis Club of Greater Roxbury will be distributing 10,000 pounds to over 300 families at Kiwanis Park, 9 Makin Lane, Succasunna. Also joining the event is Morris Counties Navigating Hope and Hope One. The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Hope One van offers critical support for persons struggling with addiction. Navigating Hope is a social services program that operates out of a van to deliver assistance and information on Food Stamps, housing, veterans’ benefits, and much more to Morris County residents.
“These numbers have increased drastically with families struggling during the pandemic,” said Cain Pope, President of Kiwanis Club of Greater Roxbury. To register for the Roxbury Food Distribution click here.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany will be distributing the food at Parsippany High School, 309 Baldwin Road, Parsippany starting at 1:00 p.m. To register for the Parsippany Food Distribution click here.
The Kiwanis Club of Clifton will be distributing 70 boxes of perishable and non-perishable food on Sunday, March 14 at 3:00 p.m. If you know of a Clifton family in need, please have them email Jacqueline Turk at jturk@cliftonschools.net with the name and cell number of the person picking up the food.
On Saturday, March 13 at Kiwanis Club of Asbury Park will start distributing at 10:00 a.m. at Jersey Shore Arts Center located at 66 South Main Street in Ocean Grove.
“It is amazing to see the Asbury Park community come together in a time of need. Asbury Park should be proud for rising to the occasion to #FeedAP during a global pandemic,” Lt. Gov-Elect [Division 5] and Club Secretary Martin Slezak, explained. “We look forward to continuing to serve our community on the move forward and we thank all who have donated and supported this initiative.”
If you or anyone you know is in need of food, in the Asbury Park area you can register by clicking here.
“The overwhelming amount of support we’ve gotten so far speaks volumes for the people in this community,” said Sarah Bloom President of Kiwanis Club of Asbury Park. “I am so proud of the members of this club, all of which have bent over backward to do the little things to keep us going full speed.”
Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.
Masks are required and social distancing must be adhered to at all locations.
For additional information contact Frank Cahill at (862) 346-5100 or Project Coordinator Cain Pope at (201) 300-7654.
Daniel Michael Froehlich Passed Away
FLORHAM PARK — Daniel Michael Froehlich, 36, of Florham Park, passed away unexpectedly on February 27, 2021, due to a rare heart condition. His passing was sudden as he was doing what he loved so much, playing softball.
A proud former US Marine, Daniel served the first tour of duty in Fallujah, Iraq. Upon return to the States, he acquired his associate’s degree from County College of Morris. He was currently employed as a project engineer for Pinnacle Consulting & Construction Services.
Above all else, Daniel loved to spread laughter and happiness. He worked hard and enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends. He was passionate about playing in his softball leagues. He made everyone feel accepted and welcome wherever he went.
Beloved son of Maria G. Sisti and Fred W. Froehlich. Loving brother of Adria Bogosian and her husband Scott. Cherished uncle of Derek and Justin Bogosian. Also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.
Funeral services were held privately to the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Daniel’s name to the Wounded Warrior Project, 370 7th Avenue, Suite 1802, New York NY 10001.
Tel: 1-877-832-6997
Web: https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org
Florham Park Councilmen issues Open Letter to Residents
FLORHAM PARK — The following letter was prepared at the request of Florham Park Borough Councilmen Charles Malone (Liaison to Finance & Recreation) and Scott Carpenter (Liaison to Police, Fire and First Aid), was presented at the March 4, 2021, Florham Park Borough Council Meeting and subsequently approved for issuance.
An Open Letter to the Residents, Businesses, and Stakeholders of Florham Park:
On February 22, 2021, the Governor of New Jersey signed into law three (3) bills that effectively legalized marijuana and significantly changed the way possession, distribution, sale, and use of marijuana is regulated throughout our State. As many are aware, this legislation was purportedly in response to voter approval of a State question on the November election ballot to amend the State Constitution to legalize marijuana for “adult use only.”
What many residents may not be aware of, however, is how significant the changes in the law are as it applies to persons that are underage. While still technically prohibited for anyone under age twenty-one (21), the new law essentially legalizes marijuana and alcohol for children, teenagers, and anyone else under age twenty-one (21) in some respects by eliminating penalties for underage use and possession. It also significantly restricts the ability of law enforcement to interact with underage persons in encounters involving marijuana and alcohol. A summary of some of the key changes in the law as related to people under the age of twenty-one (21) is listed below. Astonishingly and maybe most significantly, the new law forbids parental notification by police in connection with first marijuana and/or alcohol-related offense. Parental notification is only required for second and subsequent offenses.
Like many residents, the Mayor and Members of the Florham Park Borough Council are deeply concerned about the impact of this new law on children and families within the community. While we respect the will of the people in voting for this initiative, we believe the legislation that was passed is inconsistent with the intent of those that voted for this constitutional amendment. Furthermore, in our view, any law that restricts the ability of parents, guardians, and families to be notified and informed of their minor children’s behavior is misguided and stands in contradiction to the type of policies we should be encouraging and creating.
In that regard, the Mayor and Borough Council of Florham Park have been consistent and unwavering in our support and funding of school, policing, and other community-based programs, such as the D.A.R.E. Program (Drug Awareness Resistance Education), the Florham Park Police Department’s Community Policing Program, the assignment of School Resource Officers to Borough schools, National Night Out, Safe Night Out, Coffee With A Cop, and others as a means of educating and ensuring positive choices for the Borough’s youth. Our annual budgetary commitments of your tax dollars to these programs been unwavering and money well-spent in light of the long body of research that has consistently found early education and intervention to be highly effective in combating drug and alcohol use as potential gateways to future substance abuse problems.
As related to people under the age of twenty-one (21) years of age, these changes in the law: 1) were not stated in the ballot question, 2) restrict the police department from helping people under the age of twenty-one (21), and 3) jeopardizes decades of hard work, education and community-based policing which favors education and early intervention for the benefit of all young residents.
We strongly encourage all in Florham Park to join us in contacting our legislative representatives to advise them of your concerns about this law by using the link or the addresses and phone numbers below:
New Jersey Legislature – Contact your State Representative(s) – Click here.
- Senator Richard Codey – District Office: 651 Old Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039 (973) 535-5017
- Assemblywoman Mila Jasey (co-sponsor of the Bill) – District Office: 511 Valley St., Maplewood, NJ 07040 (973) 762-1886
- Assemblyman John McKeon – District Office: 221 Main St., Madison, NJ 07940 (973) 377- 1606
A summary of some of the key changes in the law as related to people under the age of twenty-one (21):
- Those under the age of twenty-one (21) will be given a series of written warnings for marijuana and alcohol offenses in lieu of criminal penalties or fines.
- The new law forbids parental notification by police in connection with first marijuana and/or alcohol-related offense. Parental notification is only required for second and subsequent offenses.
- The odor of marijuana, burnt or raw, or alcohol is no longer cause to stop an individual who is under the age of twenty-one (21), nor to search the individual’s personal property or vehicle. As such, in the context of a motor vehicle stop where there is an odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle, if it is determined that the driver is not under the influence, there is no justification to continue the stop, nor to conduct a search of the vehicle or the occupants, and thus the police must immediately terminate the encounter.
Boonton Home Sales
BOONTON — This two-story home, contains 1540 square feet of living space on two stories. The home was built in 1912. This three-bedroom home sold for $515,000.
Other recent Boonton home sales:
Boonton Township Home Sales
BOONTON TOWNSHIP — Experience year-round river living in this waterfront home. Open floor plan offers stunning views from the great room with a stone fireplace as its focal point, opening to a gourmet kitchen. The kitchen features include a center island, granite countertops, and all stainless steel appliances. Four second-floor bedrooms include a lovely MBR with a lavish bath and a large laundry room. The side deck and big side yard provide tons of outdoor livable space perfect for entertaining. The stone staircase down to the Rockaway River is both tranquil and functional. In a top-rated school district, over 200 yards of riverfront property is not to be missed. This property located at 20 Old Denville Road sold for $735,000.
Other recent home sales in Boonton Township include:
