The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection makes funds available for wetland enhancement and studies to preserve and understand our wetlands.  The Morris County Soil Conservation District has obtained a grant from this fund, and will use it for a wetland enhancement project in Long Hill.

The project will enhance approximately 14 acres of riparian forest and habitat along the Passaic River, between the playing fields at Riverside Park and the Passaic River.  The property is currently forested riparian woodland, dominated by red maple, pin oak, silver maple and slippery elm.  The understory is bare of vegetation except for small areas that are dominated by multiflora rose, Japanese barberry and poison ivy.  This project will add an understory to the forest providing additional habitat for wildlife and migratory birds.

Riparian buffers slow water runoff, trap sediment, fertilizers and pesticides, and enhance infiltration within the buffer.  Following initial treatment of multiflora, Japanese barberry and poison ivy, the forest area will be replanted with beneficial native shrubs and herbaceous plants.  Shrub species could include, but not be limited to, Southern arrowwood, highbush blueberry, red-osier dogwood, American hazelnut, spicebush and swamp azalea.  Herbaceous plants could include but not be limited to, riverbank wildrye, fringed sedge, swamp milkweed, turtlehead, jewelweed, and New York ironweed.  Shrubs would be planted in areas delineated by one deer enclosure totaling approimately 1.5 acres -- total fence perimeter would be approximately 1000 feet.  Herbaceous plants will be planted within the same enclosure.

Once established the riparian area should be allowed to naturally revegetation and succeed.  No maintenance within the riparian areas is expected, except for occasional control of invasive species such as multiflora rose or Japanese barberry.

May, 2003 - Stake out/flag herbicide area and spray
August - Write Forest Management Plan inventory
October - Timber stand improvement
October - March, 2004 - Plant site
March-August - Second Herbicide application

The New Jersey Department of Transportation gives grants under its Transportation Enhancement Program, to "foster more livable communities by enhancing the travel experience, preserving and protecting our environmental and cultural resources, and promoting alternative modes of transportation."  In 2002, the town applied for a grant to Revitalize Stirling Village.  The DOT awarded a grant of $450,000, to which the town will add $55,000 plus in-kind support.

An architect is being hired to work with the Historical Preservation Advisory Committee and interested residents to develop a plan for the Revitalization.  The project will tie together the Passaic River Trail, the Millington-Stirling Bikeway, the train station, access to Stirling Lake, 2 schools, 2 churches and the Library.  It will encourage pedestrian traffic among these attractions and the businesses on Main and Central Avenues, to improve the streetscape, and to calm vehicular traffic. The Village of Stirling will be transformed into a Transit Village.

Among the improvements being considered are:

• Replace existing contrete curbs with block
• Construct/replace sidewalks, including the use of brick pavers
• Install curb bumpouts and textured pavement crosswalks
• Add decorative lighting, landscaping and planters
• Improve landscaping at Stirling Station Park
• Install street furniture, benches, trash recepticles and bike racks
• Install extensive standardized signage
• Prune existing trees and add appropriate trees with decorative tree grates

An attempt will be made to unify these improvements with a specific "period" look.  The alternatives will be discussed in public meetings when the detailed design begins.

Timeline:

• February, 2002. Application for grant of $849,000 made to the NJ DOT.
• August 5, 2002. Mayor Dapkins announced that a grant was received in the amount of $450,000.
• April, 2003. Township circulates an RFP for Architectural and Engineering Services.
• June, 2003. After review by the Historical Preservation Advisory Committee of the Proposals submitted, an architect is selected to prepare the design and a contract awarded.
• ??? Public meetings, final design, bid documents prepared.
• ??? Constuction bidding and start of work
• Summer, 2004. Stirling Village Revitalized.

June, 2002

Dear Property Owner

As you may know, Long Hill Township has a self-imposed sewer ban.  The sewer ban limits new or expanded sewer connections because the Township's capacity to properly treat effluent will be compromised if additional connections are permitted.  As a result, Long Hill Township has conducted an Infiltration & Inflow (I & I) study of the sanitary sewer system.  I & I is clean storm and groundwater entering the sewer system through cracked pipes, leaky manholes, illegally connected storm drains, down spouts and sump pumps.

I & I substantially affects the costs of treatment at the Long Hill Wastewater Plant, ultimately affecting the sewer rates that you pay to operate the system.  In addition, it limits the capacity at the treatment facility.  If the system becomes overwhelmed by heavy rains, sewage can back up and cause potential overflows into the environment.

The Township had contracted earlier this year to repair pipes and properly line failing manholes to reduce I & I into the system.  This first phase had very positive results; however, it was revealed that illegally connected storm drains, downs spouts and sump pumps are part of the problem.

The Township Committee was offered several options to identify the homes with the illegal connections, which included Smoke Testing, Dye Testing and Camera Inspection.  While many of these options are viable, initially the Township Committee does not want to impose on all of our residents in order to identify the violators.  As a result, the Township Committee will offer an Amnesty Program to those residents who have illegally connected storm drains, down spouts and sump pumps.

The Amnesty Program period will last until December 31, 2002.  During this period, property owners are asked to inspect their own plumbing, to identify illegal hookups and to remove any illegal connection.  Owners who do not have the expertise to determine if their sump pumps, storm drains and down spouts are illegally connected should call the Township of Long Hill Wastewater Plant at 908-647-0789 for assistance.  If you have an illegal connection, the project manager will assist in making a recommendation to assist property owner to comply with the law.  In addition, the property owner will have three months from the date of the recommendation to perform such corrective action.

Effective September 1, 2002 you will not be able to sell a property in the Township of Long Hill without first obtaining a certification from the Department of Public Works stating that you do not have any illegal sump pump or illegal connection to the sanitary sewer system.  Therefore, it is imperative that you take advantage of this Amnesty Program period and act immediately!

The Township Committee has done its part by adequately funding repairs to broken pipelines, lining manholes and repairing joints; we ask that you do your part by participating in the Amnesty Program.

A complete Guide to the Amnesty Program is available at Town Hall and on the web at www.longhillnj.org.  Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.