Our Montville

Montville OKs use of field after latest lead test

But lacrosse club will finish season elsewhere, due to concerns over initial signs of hazard - The Township Committee voted 4-1 Wednesday night to lift restrictions on children using the artificial turf fields at Camp Dawson. Children younger than 7 had been prohibited from using the fields after potentially harmful levels of lead were discovered last week.

However, the committee also voted to find an alternative field for the Montville Lacrosse Club, which prior to the vote openly expressed its own concerns over using the Towaco fields with four weeks to go in its season.  The co-ed youth organization, which started its season in January, has more than 200 members in grades 1 to 8.

Committeewoman Jean Bader was the sole dissenter to lifting the ban.  "At this time, I am not willing to take chances with the health of any resident and child in this community," said Bader, adding she believes the fields should be closed. "Our health is way too important, and I'm going to say no."  See Daily Record.  Discuss on OurMontville blog.

Please Help Find Dakota!

Please Help Me! I just moved to Montville (Longview condos) and my Black and White Tuxedo Cat (Dakota)  got out the other night. He is 8 years old and has never been outside before:( I am broken hearted without him.

If you see him, or think you might see him, please call me at 973-220-7576. PS, I am sure he is scared and might just find another home, if it is your home, please call me.

No harmful lead levels found at Camp Dawson

A second round of testing for potentially dangerous lead levels at Camp Dawson's artificial turf fields was negative -- after a first had been positive -- prompting the township to arrange a third round of testing to sort out the discrepancy, municipal officials said on Tuesday.

Five different types of samples were taken by state officials at the site last Friday, and the second round of tests was expedited to the township, municipal officials said. Those results showed lead levels to be negligible, said Mayor Deborah Nielson.

"The tests show that there is nothing being leached. People on the field are not coming into contact with any lead," Nielson said. The exact levels of the new tests were not immediately known, but Nielson said they were "below the threshold."  See Daily Record.   Discuss on OurMontville blog.

Wall Street Journal - Israel's 60 Year Test

Sixty years after its birth, Israel continues to test the proposition that reality counts for more than perception.

The Web site eyeontheun.org keeps a running tally of all United Nations resolutions, decisions and reports condemning this or that country for this or that human rights violation (real or alleged). Between January 2003 and March 2008, tiny Israel – its population not half that of metropolitan Cairo's – was condemned no fewer than 635 times. The runners-up were Sudan at 280, the Democratic Republic of the Congo at 209, and Burma at 183. North Korea was cited a mere 60 times, a third as many as the United States.  See Wall Street Journal.  See Israel Then and Now.

June 6 - Lexi Ponzio benefit dinner

A little girl at Tiny Treasures has been recently diagnosed with Wilms' Tumor … kidney cancer.  A mom  from Tiny Treasures, along with the owners (whom I cannot say enough about … they have gone above and beyond for Little Jack … Charlotte and I as well), are arranging a benefit in her honor of June 6th.  I am trying to help Robyn out as much as I can … from a business aspect (forming and running a non-profit, etc.) … using the experience I gained from the Found NEMO Foundation (Little Jack is always at work).

Not sure if anyone is interested but thought I would pass along a flyer for dinner on the 6th  … sounds like a evening of great food, prizes, etc. and the best part is it helping Lexi!   

If anyone needs a gift, Suppa’s is donating 25% of all sales from $50 Gift Certificates to Lexi (see attached)!

Download lexis_benefit.pdf

First Industrial has space for business in Montville!

Featured Property is:

43 Route 46, Unit 703, Pine Brook, New Jersey

6,867 sf available

Download unit_703.pdf,      See all available space in Pine Brook: Download May_Availabilities_4-30-08.pdf

New Renaissance Art Association NJ exhibit during May and June

The New Renaissance Art Association NJ Inc, in association with the Montville Twp Public Library is exhibiting drawings at the Library by students of Xiaqiang Dong during the months of May and June.

There will be a reception ceremony in the Pio Costa Auditorium on Thursday, May 22st at 4:30pm.

May 8 - Maida & Ralph Avallone honored again!

Long time Montville residents Ralph & Maida Avallone to receive yet another well deserved recognition of their volunteer service! - Each year one or more  senior citizen residents of Morris County is selected as a Morris County Living Treasure. This selection is made by the St. Francis  Residential  Community, the Morris County Division of Aging, and the Morris Chapter of the AARP.  The selection is based on  distinguished service to the life, heart and spirit of our community.  This year Maida and Ralph Avallone were selected upon recommendation by Joe Quade.  They will be honored at a reception at the St. Francis Residential facility on Diamond Spring Road in Denville on Thursday, May 8th at 1 :30 Pm.  All are invited to attend.                    Photo courtesy of Mike Karlan.

Montville Real Estate Transfers

101 Horseneck Road, Shannon Gessler, $220,000, (Alison Frint)

19 Fletcher Drive, Victor Dang, Shilpa Dang, $925,000, (Weichen Ye)

19 Louis Drive, # D, Fran Rosensweig, $670,000, (Rona Kling)

59 Revere Court, # C107l, Antonuos Tanuos, Samira Tanuos, $70,029, (Frank D'aries)

6 Bark Mill Terrace, # 63, Daniel Balassone, $458,500, (Steven Deitz)

See Daily Record.

Dumb as we want to be - American "energy policy"

It is great to see that we finally have some national unity on energy policy. Unfortunately, the unifying idea  is so ridiculous, so unworthy of the people aspiring to lead our nation, it takes your breath away. Hillary Clinton has decided to line up with John McCain in pushing to suspend the federal excise tax on gasoline, 18.4 cents a gallon, for this summer’s travel season. This is not an energy policy. This is money laundering: we borrow money from China and ship it to Saudi Arabia and take a little cut for ourselves as it goes through our gas tanks.   See New York Times.  Discuss on OurMontville blog.            Hat tip:  Dennis

Montville upgraded to top financial rating!

Township Committee commitment to lowering debt pays off -  A long-term commitment to reducing municipal debt while using solid financial performance and a strong property tax base supported by high wealth and income levels have propelled Montville to the upper echelon of bond ratings issued by New York-based Standard & Poor's. 

The new rating brings Montville into exclusive company in the Garden State -- only 13 government entities among more than 1,100 in New Jersey have the AAA rating, said Christopher Mortell, senior marketing manager for Standard & Poor's.  See Daily Record.

According to Deputy mayor Jim Sandham, who heads the long term financial planning committee which was revitalized when Art Daughtry took office in 2005: "The raising of Montville’s bond rating by S&P can only mean good things for Montville and our residents.  We already received a lower interest rate on the $10 million of bonds we financed this week, which equates to interest savings of over $25,000 per year or over $400,000 over the life of this bond issuance.  And the timing is fortuitous as we are looking to re-finance previously issued bonds to further reduce our interest expense."

Friday - Never Again

Quarterly Real Estate Taxes are Due!

Remember to pay your property taxes before May 10 to avoid late charges and interest.  You may use a Visa or MasterCard (why not get frequent flier miles?) when paying in person.  Be sure to bring a copy of your tax bill with you. 

The tax office is at 195 Changebridge Road and is open from 9-4.

Montville's Margaret Lam featured in Star Ledger!

Importer's success lets her help others - Success isn't just about making money, says Margaret Lam, it's also about giving back to your community.

Lam owns Irvington-based Prosperity Resources International, an importer of dried foods from Asia to the United States and a wholesaler of goods to Chinese supermarkets on the East Coast. The recipient of many community and government awards, she is an inspiration to the Chinese-American community. 

Born in Hong Kong, Lam lives in Montville and has been a New Jersey resident for 43 years. For more than 38 years, she has dedicated her time and service to several organizations, including the New Jersey Chinese Festival, the Girls Scouts and the Livingston Symphony Orchestra.  See Star Ledger.

Download margaret_lam.doc            

Video of 4/22/08 Montville Township Committee Meeting

Discuss on OurMontville blog.

Share Education By the Book

SEBB, “Share Education By the Book” originated out of a need for Books to support various Education centers and Libraries, existing and envisioned, in parts of the U.S. where illiteracy rates are frighteningly high. I suggested
the project to our Kiwanis members, hoping for personal support and, being the amazing group of caring citizens that they are, they ALL said ‘yes’ and voted on the spot to make it a Club Project.

Since the project started in November ‘02, each year for a month or so, Montville Township Kiwanis Club, Montville citizens, Kiwanis Kids from MTHS, Kiwanis Builders Club Lazar Middle School Kids, and generous  friends from other parts of New Jersey, have been clearing off their shelves of past treasures, knowing they’re giving new joy to others. We have been shipping books for all ages; books on tape, educational Videos, CD’s etc. For now, no magazines, coloring book s, Encyclopedias, newspapers or, (for the moment) text  books (although a side shipment of text books has gone to one neighboring Kentucky County in need). All others, in legible condition have been welcomed.

May 7 - Tips on Bird Watching

Bird watching season is upon us and you can pick up tips from a Master at Montville Twp Public Library on Wednesday, May 7th at 7 PM.

Douglas Goodell shows you slides of beautiful birds. He is an author who loves to take pictures of bird life in their natural habitat. His lecture is humorous and full of interesting tidbits. This is the perfect program for people who are rejoicing that spring is here again, finally.

Visit Montville's Wonderful Dog Park

Download montville_dog_park.pdf

Download dog_park_guildelines.doc      Download dog_park_buyabrick.doc

Download montville_dog_park_application.doc

Montville residents plan to fight 4-story nursing site

Owners plan to raze ruined Hilltop Care to build new facility- When Doreen Helmke moved into her Sylvan Drive home nearly two years ago, she had no qualms about living in the shadow of the shuttered Hilltop Care Center in the upscale Pine Brook neighborhood.  Like her neighbors, Helmke, 42, said she was told the site of the vacant, multi-story nursing home off Hook Mountain Road was zoned for single-family dwellings.

That knowledge suited the young mother, as it did for other families who had moved to the growing Windsor Sylvan section of Pine Brook after Hilltop closed its doors in the mid '90's.  But now, Helmke and her fellow residents are fighting a proposal to build a new, four-story nursing home with 120 beds and a 60-unit residential health care facility at the site.  "I think that's a big concern, that a neighborhood was established while (the nursing home) was non-operational,"Helmke said. "(This plan) will change the neighborhood."

The 6.3 acre-tract houses the skeleton of the 114-bed Hilltop Care Center, which was destroyed by arson in August 2006 after standing abandoned for a decade. The center was built in 1925.  Hook Mountain Road Associates, which purchased the property from Hilltop for $1 million one year before the fire, plans to raze the structure and rebuild.  The proposal calls for a 75,538-square-foot facility in a four-story building, but the owner is seeking a variance to allow the facility in the residential district, as well as height and building coverage variances that exceed the maximums allowed by township law.  See Daily Record.

Friday - BaRocky The Movie

Hat tip: Andy

Join the Book Club

For many years, Montville Twp Public Library’s “First Tuesday Book Club” has been meeting on the first Tuesday of each month at the library at 1:00 p.m. The Club is now looking for new members. Book clubs are a great way to share your reading. Everyone reads the Number One best sellers but our group looks for great books that may not necessarily be the top seller but deserve merit and discussion.

The Book Club selection for May 6^th is Whitethorn Woods by Maeve Binchy.

For the June 3^rd date it is Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer.

For more information, please call Ron Rizio at 973-402-0900 ext 222

Montville voters pass school budget

Montville voters approved a $67 million budget that is projected to produce the lowest tax increase in more than a decade, according to school officials.  Montville officials had said they had been wary of raising taxes too much after last year's budget was defeated.

Incumbent Michael Palma won another term on the board while Matthew Kayne and Paul Przetak won the two other seats available. Timothy Lindert failed in his bid to win re-election.

Palma was the top vote-getter with 1,496, followed by Kayne with 1,357 and Przetak with 1,104.  See Daily Record.

Wednesday cartoon

May 13 - Parsippany Animal Supporters Society Meeting

The next meeting of Parsippany Animal Supporters Society will take place on Tuesday, May 13th at the Parsippany Library on Halsey Road at 7pm prompt.  This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend.  Nominations are still being sought for all board positions for the upcoming terms.  If you would like more information on becoming a PASS officer or chairperson, please attend the May 13th meeting.

What energy policy?

May 13 - Pets and Kids at library

Kids and pets go together but often times that is a learning experience that may be hard on the animal.  There will be a Pet Care Workshop sponsored by Montville Pet Parents at the Library on Tuesday,  May 13 at 4:30 PM kids ages 7-9 are invited to a program that shows how to be their pet’s best friend. Register at the Children’s Desk or call 973-402-0900 ext 224.

Building a New Animal Shelter

To make the new shelter a reality, Montville Pet Parents has launched a capital campaign offering various levels of participation. Whether you are and individual looking to make a difference of part of a corporation of foundation looking for an organization in need, MPP has developed a number of giving opportunities.

Every donation large and small is a gift of love that will keep giving and will make a difference in the life of homeless animals.

May 13th at the Montville Library - Kids & Pets Seminar

MPP will be joining forces with Parsippany Animal Supporters Society (PASS) to present several seminars on pet safety and care targeted towards children in the 6 to 10 age group. The children will be taught the proper way to approach and interact with animals, be introduced to things they as children can do to better animal welfare in the community and basic pet care.

This seminar is free of charge but limited to the first 20 children that sign up. RSVP no later than May 9th by calling  973.403-0900 x 228

May 14 - “The Marriage of Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln.”

130 years before Hillary Clinton’s health care plan failed, Mary Todd Lincoln saw her Emancipation Proclamation pass, making her husband, Abraham, our greatest President.

            On Wednesday, May 14^th at 7PM, noted Civil War historian Glenn LeBoeuf returns to Montville Twp Public Library with a lecture, “The Marriage of Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln.”

            Come to the Library and see how Mary Todd changed history.

Friday Video: Monkey to Man

I know I’ve probably posted this one before but I dig the song. Plus, it has babes go-go dancing in bikinis, gorilla suits, Elvis Costello, Darwinian evolution, and a righteous party groove. What more can you ask from one piece of music? Did I mention the babes? Hat tip:  Charles