Washington Township race heats up over political signs

August 5, 2008 9:35 pm

Incumbent Kevin Nedd and challenger Jim Harmon won't face off for the open seat on the township committee for another three months, but the two are already entrenched in a heated debate over political signs.

Last week, Harmon suggested that he and his opponent agree to a pact that would limit the time either could post campaign signs along the rural township's idyllic streets to the four weeks prior to the election.

This week, Nedd fired back with a proposal that neither candidate put up signs, and instead donate the money they would have spent to charity.

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Non-Skid Covering on Schooley's Mountain Rd

July 31, 2008 11:50 am

A tricky stretch of Schooley's Mountain Road, with a steep grade and a dangerous curve, will get a bit of a makeover with a new substance that should offer better traction on the Washington Township road, according to county officials.

Thanks to a $107,000 state grant that was approved yesterday, a 420-foot-long segment of the road will be fitted by Morris County road crews with Safe-T-Grip, a skid-resistant covering that is supposed to provide better traction on the heavily used rural route, officials said.

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Power line sparks heated debate

June 26, 2008 7:47 am

Residents question value, usefulness of electric line planned for New Jersey.

David Ballengee brings several different perspectives to the power line proposal.

As a homeowner in Washington Township, Morris County, near Hackettstown, he lives about a mile from one of the routes for a proposed 500,000-volt electric line.

"You bought the house under one set of circumstances," said Ballengee, "all of a sudden, this is being thrust upon you."

But Ballengee also worked for years as an engineer at Jersey Central Power & Light Co. He now works for the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the state agency that oversees rates and other aspects of electric companies.

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Stand-off in Washington Twp. ends after 6 hours

June 12, 2008 7:55 am

East Mill Road closed while cops talk man out; No one hurt in incident

A hostage negotiating team safely removed a man with a weapon from his home on East Mill Road Wednesday after a call to police resulted in a six-hour standoff, authorities said.

No one else was in the home at the time, and no one outside the home was ever in any danger, authorities said.

Township police got a call at 10:44 a.m. from the man's family members indicating he was inside his home with a weapon, authorities said.

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2008 Budget

May 14, 2008 5:06 pm

The 2008 Washington Township Budget is available online for your viewing pleasure. 

Stephensburg Road Closure

April 4, 2008 8:29 am

On or about April 15, 2008 the County of Morris will close and begin removal of the steel bridge located on Stephensburg Road near the intersection of Old Turnpike Road in Washington Township, Morris County.

Construction on the project is scheduled between the hours of 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, with occasional construction occurring on Saturdays.

Police Officers will staff the closure points for the first two days after construction begins to assist motorists and residents. If you have any additional questions or comments, please contact Lt Pat Monhan at the Washington Township Police department at 908.873.3232 or via email at pmonahan@wtpdmorris.org.

My Long Valley Poster Contest

March 16, 2008 8:50 pm

The Long Valley Village Association (LVVA) and Long Valley Arts are now accepting poster submissions for the LVVA "My Long Valley" poster contest.

The artwork for the poster should be something that shows your passion and town spirit! You may include anything that you feel the town means to you or your family. You can include a local business, historical building, or even just the local scenery. It's up to you! Be creative and have fun with it.

The deadline for all entries for the poster is April 30, 2008.

For more information visit: http://www.washtwpmorris.org/news/lvva/poster/poster.html

2008 Projects in Washington Township

January 20, 2008 9:34 am

Several ongoing and new projects are taking off in the township this year.

Among the new projects are: a proposal by Homeless Solutions to build 10 low- and moderate-income apartments on Drakestown Road, a proposal by 28 Route 46 LLC to build a Hyundai dealership on Route 46, currently the site of a closed diner; and a proposal by Millers Green for a small retail/antique center on East Mill Road.

Construction of the Black Oak Golf Course, covering 320 acres on Bartley Road, will continue and is expected to wrap in fall of 2009. The preliminary site plan approval for the course was granted in December 2002 with several amendments in 2003 and 2004. It was stalled in 2004 following the introduction of the Highlands Act, but began again this year.

Work will also commence on a 45-unit townhouse development, the Regency at Long Valley, and Advanced Auto Parts will begin construction of a store on Route 46. The expansion of the Valley View Chapel on East Mill Road is also expected to begin.

Construction of the 27,307-square-foot Target store on Route 46, which will include a pharmacy and food service area, is nearing completion and is looking at an opening date of October 2008 or March 2009.

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Gas explosion burns man near Hackettstown

January 18, 2008 8:02 am

A Long Valley man suffered burns to his face, head and arms Thursday after the excavator he was operating struck a detached propane tank and caused it to explode, police in this Morris County municipality report.

Dan Ackerman, 30, was removing debris from private property on Schooleys Mountain Road near Hackettstown when the explosion occurred. Area residences and businesses were evacuated, but no other injuries were reported.

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Washington Township Announces Radon Action Month

December 31, 2007 1:29 pm

Washington Township Health Department, Morris County, New Jersey, in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Radon Program, announces that January has been designated Radon Action Month.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. However, because radon is invisible and odorless, it is easy to ignore this potential hazard in our own homes.

Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally when uranium and radium break down in the soil and in rock formations. Radon gas moves up into the home through cracks in the foundation and openings around pumps, pipes and drains.

Washington Township Health Department continues to offer radon kits at $10.00 per canister, which includes testing and postage. The kits are mailed by the resident directly to the testing laboratory and the results are kept anonymous.

If you have any questions, or would like to obtain additional information, please contact the Washington Township Health department at 908.876.3650.