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Each week we will include a fun fact or historic tidbit about our great hometown

If you have any old photos or newspaper articles about Boonton Township that you would like to share please let us know

The Mayor and Township Committee proclaimed October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Boonton Township to increase the public’s knowledge about the importance of early detection of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can save lives.

We are starting the evaluation of the dam and wanted to provide you with an update. The Township has consulted with John Ritchley, PE of French & Parrello Associates. He was with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection for 34 years in the Division of Dam Safety and Flood Control where he was involved in over 300 dam restoration projects and over 1000 dam inspections. We are pleased to have John as our consulting engineer.

We have learned that the dam, like thousands of other older dams throughout the State, was unknown to NJDEP; accordingly, has not been subject to periodic inspections. We were advised that NJDEP regulations prohibit trees on dams and moving forward, the tree removal will be a required condition.

The preliminary determination found that there are several small breaches believed to be caused by tree roots from the many trees on the dam. The next step will be the complete engineering assessment to determine the available options and recommendations for repairs.

Once that report is received, we will let you know when there will be a public discussion of options available to the Township. At that time, we will be in a position to make a decision as to the extent of work that should be undertaken to address the condition of the dam and if such work is undertaken, how will it be funded. As stated in our June letter to Lake Tumble-In property owners, the preliminary work that is being undertaken will be at a cost paid for by the Township.

In the coming weeks, expect to see inspections crews as well as our DPW staff on the dam. We have ground the stumps on the dam, removed brush from the spillway and will restore the pathway along the dam so residents can again enjoy the path and lake views. There will be no further tree removal on the dam until the assessment is completed.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Township Committee and the Board of Education
There’s been much discussion over the upcoming school referendum, below are some facts on the framework of municipal vs school budgets in our municipality:

Separate Legal Entities
The Township Committee and Board of Education are two separate entities governed by their own statutes - Title 40/40A for Township/County and Title 18A for Schools and each answers to separate State agencies. Neither has control over the other.
Rockaway Valley School is run by the Board of Education. The Township Committee has no input or control on how the Board operates or spends its tax dollars. 68% of your property taxes fund the school - that amount is determined by the Board of Education budget. The Township Committee’s portion of your property taxes is 20% (general purpose 19% and open space 1%) and that rate has increased by less than one percent (.84%) over the past five years.
The Township collects taxes for the school and county but otherwise has no control over its finances or financial decisions which are the sole responsibility of the Board of Education.
Funding Capital Projects
Under New Jersey law, funding capital projects (long-term infrastructure like building additions, road paving, emergency equipment, or new school construction) works very differently for municipalities versus school districts. Any school district seeking to issue new bonds to build new facilities, renovate aging buildings, upgrade HVAC systems, or improve school security must secure voter consent via a ballot question while municipalities finance long-term infrastructure (like roads, buildings, and utilities) through the Municipal Capital Fund whose voter approval is not required by Statute.
While both entities rely heavily on issuing long-term municipal debt (bonds), the approval pathways, statutory restrictions, and state funding mechanisms are distinct.
Core Comparison of Capital Project Funding
Feature Municipal Capital Projects School District Capital Projects
Primary Statutory Framework Local Bond Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:2) Educational Facilities Construction & Financing Act (N.J.S.A. 18A:7G)
Voter Approval Requirement Not required (Passes by township committee ordinance) Required via public referendum (for Type II districts)
Mandatory Cash Down Payment 5% down payment required from current funds or reserves None required (can finance 100% of local share)
State Aid / Grant Potential Limited (DOT grants, state/federal aid, discretionary grants) State Debt Service Aid (covers at least 40% of eligible costs)
Debt Limit Cap 3.5% of the municipality's equalized valuation 2.5% to 4% of equalized valuation (varies by grade levels served)

Beginning on or about Thursday September 24th, 2026, emergency utility work will commence on Rockaway Valley Road between Powerville Road (Four Corners) and Kingsland Road. To facilitate this work safely, the portion of the roadway between Powerville Road and Kingsland Road will be closed to all through-traffic during active work hours. This project is expected to start on or about September 24th, 2026 and conclude approximately around November 19th, 2026.

The utility work and road closure is scheduled to occur Monday through Thursday each week, beginning at 7:30am and concluding at 5:30 pm each day. During these times, a detour will be in place, and officers along with utility crews will be on site to assist motorists as needed. When the utility crews are not actively working, the roadway will be completely open. Please refer to the detour map for a detailed description of the closure location and specific detour route.

Again, this project is anticipated to last until approximately November 19th, 2026. We greatly appreciate everyone's anticipated cooperation as we work to improve our roadways.

The Township Committee plans to discuss the final version of the revised solar ordinance at the next Township Committee Work Meeting on November 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM. If no further revisions are needed, then the revised ordinance will be introduced at the November 9, 2026 Township Committee Meeting.

Historic context about the need for regulation of solar panels in the Township

Imagine coming home to find your neighbor has clear-cut their backyard to make way for the installation of 36 ground-mounted solar arrays. That really happened in a residential neighborhood in 2025. The neighbors were rightfully angry and upset by destruction of trees, degradation of their property values and ground-mounted arrays being visible from the road and neighboring properties. These residents came to several Township Committee meetings to express their concerns and request regulations to prevent this environmental destruction from happening elsewhere in the Township.

At that time, the Township had no ordinances in place to regulate solar panels and arrays so there was little the Township could do to control these arrays. Citing the need for such reasonable regulation, the Township Committee introduced an ordinance to Regulate the Safe, Effective and Efficient Use of Solar Panels and Solar Arrays in October 2025.

A select group of residents took issue with the ordinance as it prohibited ground-mounted solar arrays and wind turbines from residential properties. Concerns as to the ordinance were voiced at the public hearing and the Township Committee took the residents’ comments into consideration. The ordinance was adopted so regulation was in place and then-Mayor Honan announced after the vote that the Township Committee would review the ordinance in 2026 for revisions consistent with the concerns raised.

In early 2026, a review committee was formed consisting of two Township Committee members, a Planning Board member and two citizen representatives to review the ordinance and make recommendations for revisions to the ordinance.

The Township Committee’s goal was to present a responsible, good-neighbor ordinance, which also supports smart, clean, renewable energy in the Township and protects our trees and the environment. The revised ordinance would allow for ground-mounted solar arrays with notice to neighboring properties and an opportunity for those property owners to voice their opinions and concerns at a public forum.

After several months of review and revisions, the review committee was satisfied with the draft ordinance, and it was presented to the Township professionals for review. The Township Committee is encouraged by the suggested revisions to the solar ordinance that are consistent with concerns raised at the December public hearing.

The Township Committee thanks the members of the review committee for their time and effort working together to craft revisions to the ordinance to make it more compatible with the goal of responsible, renewable energy that does not devalue neighboring property values.

Boonton Township has four National and State Historic Register properties including the Decker-Kincaid Homestead at 591 Powerville Road (2005).

The Township worked with Morris County Historic Preservation Trust to devise a plan which permitted an operating agreement

with the Dowling Family to rehabilitate the aging Valley Farm Stand which is now restored and operating as a popular community gathering place known as “The Farmstand”.

The Township Committee is proud to have initiated a partnership between the Township and County governments along with local entrepreneurs to revitalize an underutilized historic property.

As the temperatures get cooler we would like to remind everyone that when using fireplaces, wood stoves, or other heating appliances indoors, it’s very important to remember a few safety tips and precautions. Heating equipment and improper ash disposal are leading causes of home and wildland fires during the fall and winter months.

• Heating equipment, chimneys, fireplaces and wood stoves should be inspected and cleaned by a certified chimney sweep every fall before heating season.

• When cleaning out fireplaces and wood stoves always allow ashes to cool completely before disposing of them. Four days or 96 hours is the minimum recommended cooling period for ashes.

• Place ashes in a covered metal container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep the container at least 10 feet away from the home and other buildings.

• The metal container should be placed away from anything flammable. It should not be placed next to a firewood pile, up against or in the garage, on or under a wooden deck, or under a porch.

• Ashes should never be disposed of in a plastic garbage box or can, a cardboard box or grocery bag that could melt or catch fire. Never use a vacuum cleaner to pick up ashes.

• After sitting for a week in the metal container, check ashes again to be sure they are completely cooled. If so, the ashes are then safe to dispose of or used as compost in your garden.

• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from a fireplace/wood stove or any other indoor heating appliance and to create a three-foot “kid-free zone.”

• Ensure fireplaces and wood stoves have a sturdy screen in place to stop sparks from flying.

The Boonton Township Education Foundation’s annual fall fundraiser takes place on November

20th! All proceeds of the event go directly to providing our students additional educational

opportunities that indulge their passions, enrich their educational experience, and have a positive effect on the

future of our Boonton Township community. The BTEF also awards annual teacher grants at

Our Public Health Nurse has weekly office hours on Thursdays from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM

The Public Health Nurse serves as a vital resource to our community for health-related referrals such as vaccines and COVID tests or weight loss management.

Blood pressure screenings are done during office hours - no appointment is necessary.

We suggest calling beforehand to verify hours for the week. Stop by during office hours for more information.

For health-related information visit the Morris County Public Health website at:

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*As a reminder all missed pickups should be reported no later than 9:30AM the following morning*

*If your recycling can is not set out to the curb the night prior to curbside, the County will not consider you as a missed pickup*

*DO NOT PUT YOUR RECYCLABLES IN PLASTIC BAGS, THEY WILL NOT BE TAKEN CURBISDE OR AT THE DEPOT*

As a reminder the Boonton Township Recycling Depot is only open every other Saturday during the hours of 9am-12pm or until the dumpsters are full. If you are caught dumping at the recycling depot off hours you WILL be issued a summons. We have encountered multiple hazardous issues with residents dumping off hours.

As a reminder, the below items are not accepted curbside or at the recycling depot:

If there are any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Boonton Township Recycling Coordinator at 973-402-4024 or view the MCMUA website.

*These fees are for any items containing freon that are recycled in the metal dumpster*

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Please note that The State Department of Health has placed into law the requirements that a dog licensing age must have a rabies shot that does not expire in the year of the licensing period.

If you already had your dog(s) vaccinated, please drop off or send us a photocopy of the current rabies vaccination so we can update your dog’s file. This can be sent to dvandergoot@boontontownship.com or skubik@boontontownship.com. Or, if you no longer own your dog, please advise as well.

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In 2023, the Boonton Township Green Team received the Bronze Status for New Jerseys Sustainable Jersey Application. The Green Team worked together to complete certain topics to submit the application. The Team is looking to achieve Silver Status for 2027.

*Contact Daria VanderGoot for more information about the Green Team at dvandergoot@boontontownship.com*

Discover the programs and initiatives of the Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority (MCMUA). Educate yourself on best practices for recycling at home, school, or work. Take a virtual tour of Republic Services' Material Recycling Facility (MRF) in Mine Hill to see where your recyclables go, how they are sorted, and transported to market for processing to be remade into other materials. Come with questions and get them answered by a trained professional.

Stay up to date with events and activities provided by the Morris County Library by signing up for their newsletter or viewing their website:

Guests are always welcome, and we encourage you to come join us to see what we are all about.

Our next meeting will be November 10 at 7pm in the Municipal building to discuss “I'm Glad My Mom Died” by Jeanette McCurdy

All Book Club Meetings are at 7pm – AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING - Main Conference Room

This past week the old playground was removed, the gazebo started to get a facelift and installation of the new playground equipment has begun.

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at the Municipal Building during regular business hours Monday-Friday from 8am-12pm or 2pm-4pm

it's a good idea to call the Clerk's Office at 973-402-4002 in advance to ensure a Notary is available.

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If you have any questions regarding connection of service, please call 848-206-8340 and speak to one of the customer service representatives for the Sales Department.

This notification system allows residents to receive e-mail, text message, and/or other alerts regarding emergency notifications and other important messages regarding our community. With this program, you can choose to receive alerts by whatever method of communication you prefer.

Visit www.btpolice.org and click on the “emergency notifications” tab on the right side of the page. Follow the instructions to be redirected to the "Alert Boonton Township" registration page. Once redirected, ensure you are on the page for Boonton Township New Jersey and follow the step by step instructions on the web page to create an account and receive emergency alerts for Boonton Township.

"Alert Boonton Township" also automatically signs you up for Smart911 which provides you and your family with a potentially life-saving resource. Smart911 is a free emergency 911 component which helps our emergency dispatchers better assist you during an emergency. This service also allows residents to create a safety profile which can include any information they would like to share with first responders during an emergency.

Type in @BOONTONTWPPD IN YOUR FACEBOOK SEARCH BAR OR IN MESSENGER TO FIND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PAGE

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