JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP –Happy Fall, Jefferson! The trees are starting to turn, and soon winter will be upon us. I hate to say it, but it doesn’t make me happy! I used to love the winter, but now I want to be a snowbird. Showing my age! But enjoy our beautiful fall colors!
Many have inquired about the completion date of the Route 15 South bridge. We were initially told that October 2025 would be the month, but we are now being informed by NJ DOT that the anticipated completion will be in early 2026, with no specific date yet announced. I am very disappointed, as we were told by NJ DOT that this project would be fast-tracked after the closure last year.
We have been pretty busy with road improvements this summer and now fall. This year, we put our 10-year capital improvement plan for road improvements on hold to catch up on all the roads that had gas mains installed over the past few years. We will likely do the same next year. NJ Natural pays for half the road width, and we work out an agreement for them to pave certain roads, and the Township paves others. Our Public Works Department worked diligently throughout the summer to complete drainage projects throughout the community ahead of paving. The Township milled and paved Laverne Court, Dover Milton Road, Rita Lane, Margaret Road, Robin Drive, Lark Lane, Morgan Lane, Colonial Oaks Drive, Wayfair Lane, Sleepy Hollow Drive, Pine Bluff Lane, Wood Hollow Trail, Michael Road, Southwoods Lane. Chabon Court was scheduled to be paved, but it will be completed next year due to drainage issues that need to be addressed.
New Jersey Natural Gas milled and paved Espanong Road (Weldon Road to Edison Road), Brady Road (Espanong to Brady Bridge), Swan Lane, Boa Vista Drive, Canal Crossing, Yacht Club Drive, Ripplewood Drive, Springbrook Terrace, Woodlawn Terrace, No Name Street, Commodore Drive, Harbor Drive, Crescent Drive, Marine Terrace, Nautical Terrace, Collins Avenue, Rudine Street, Alpine Drive, Alps Road, North Alpine Drive.
We also made improvements to other roads in the Township by micro-sealing, including a portion of Lake Shawnee on East Shawnee Trail, Fawn Terrace, Island Trail, Deer Trail Point, Beaver Terr & Beaver Point. The Township received a NJ DOT grant of $305,000 to cover a portion of the milling and paving of Schoolhouse Road.
As part of our paving projects, we conducted extensive tree trimming along Schoolhouse Road, Dover-Milton Road, Weldon Road, and Espanong Road. This will significantly enhance the road’s visibility, and also during winter storms, allowing the sun to better expose the road and enabling the salt to do its job. It will also hopefully also help during storm events, with fewer tree limbs and fewer full trees falling into the roadway. We have done so on many of our main thoroughfares over the past few years. Many have inquired about the condition of the trees along Berkshire Valley Road, which is County Road# 699. Something I have been trying to resolve for many years, especially along the Longwood Lake section toward Route 15. We met with County officials this past month, and the great news is that the County has agreed to start budgeting for trimming the trees along this highly traveled route.
Please be sure to read our fall/winter newsletter for information about the replacement of the Three Rivers Bridge. This project is in conjunction with the County of Morris and a grant received by the County.
This year, the Township is currently soliciting bids for garbage & recycling services. We are at the end of our 5-year contract with Blue Diamond. It is always interesting to see who bids and how they will come in price-wise. Blue Diamond, our current contractor, was acquired last year by a larger multinational billion-dollar corporation, Waste Connections, based in Texas.
The Mitchko Mountain recreation area, located off Route 15 South, is moving forward. The parking lot is complete, and almost 2 miles of smooth trail are complete. The first nine holes of the disc golf course is just about done. The Township has applied to the County for a grant to complete another few miles for the continuation of the trail.
I forgot to mention in my previous message that Fire Co. #1 took delivery of its new ladder/platform truck in May and held its wet down in August. The previous truck was purchased in 1991.
I hope all will read our fall/winter newsletter, which is full of more information for our residents.
