Township Times
Weekly edition
News for the next week ...
04/26 - PBA Fishing Derby - 8AM-11AM (See flyer for details)
04/28 - River Clean Up - 10AM (See flyer for details)
04/30 - Harlem Wizard Event - 6:30PM (See flyer for details)
05/02 - Green Team Meeting - 3-4PM
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Each week we will include a fun fact or historic tidbit about our great hometown
courtesy Charlie Maraziti
If you have any old photos or newspaper articles about Boonton Township that you would like to share please let us know
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Boonton Township Adopts 2025 Budget with a
Zero Municipal Tax Rate Increase
The Township of Boonton Year 2025 local budget has the same tax rate from Year 2021.
On April 15, 2025, the Mayor and Township Committee adopted its 2025 budget, which supports all municipal services and no tax increase on the local budget. Mayor Brian Honan stated that "Despite the cost-of-living increases that we have all faced over the past four years of 4 to 6% and the State health insurance cost increases of over 10%, the Governing Body has made effective fiscal decisions so that the Township can absorb the increase in cost-of-living and not have an impact on the local tax bill of the residents of the Township of Boonton".
|
Year |
Township Tax Rate | State Health Benefits Increase |
Cost of Living Increase |
| 2021 | $0.479 | 2.8% | 1.3% |
| 2022 | $0.481 | 21% | 3.2 % |
| 2023 | $0.479 | 22% | 8.7% |
| 2024 | $0.479 | 7% | 5.9% |
| 2025 | $0.479 | 16.4% | 1.3% |
The Township remains in the first quadrant of the lowest tax rate average tax bill within the County of Morris and yet other similarly situated rural communities in Morris County are in the fourth quadrant of the average local tax bill.
Finance Committee Chairperson Thomas Donadio points out that "Other communities on the lower end of the average tax bill are communities with a significant amount of commercial ratables with development. This budget does not rely upon commercial ratables and development to sustain its budget”.
The budget provides the same level of essential services and preserves the rural character of the community that makes the Township unique.
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Don't forget to purchase your tickets!
Come see Boonton Township Police Officers Kevin Marhefka and Michael Vitcavich play in the game!
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Congratulations!
Detective Yuill and Officer Wintemberg were meritorious award recipients honored by the 200 Club on April 24, 2025.
Shortly after 2 pm on April 18, 2024, a call came into Boonton Township Police Department — a 9-1-1 hang up from a cellphone. A single moment of connection, just enough to report a “medical emergency,” before the line went silent. Detective Colin Yuill and Patrolman Skylar Wintemberg immediately answered the call.
Thanks to the department’s cutting-edge “Live911” system, the officers had a vital advantage. The system allows them to hear the urgency in a call and pinpoint the precise location of the cellphone signal from their vehicle in real time.
Arriving at the address, the house was quiet, and the doors were locked. Detective Yuill and Patrolman Wintemberg knocked, calling out to anyone inside, but the residence appeared unoccupied. Fearing that someone was indeed inside, needing immediate emergency medical assistance, decisiveness took over. Every second mattered. Detective Yuill found a rear window near a door that could grant them access. While shattering the window with a metal tool, shards of glass lacerated his left hand, but there was no hesitation. He reached through, unlocked the door, and together they stepped into the residence.
Once inside, their voices carried through the house, with no reply. Their search led them to the second floor, where they found the caller — pale and still, lying in a bathtub-stained red. The weapon beside the caller told the story no one wanted to hear. This person’s multiple, severe wounds were self-inflicted and life-threatening. The sight was grim, but the officers acted with precision born of training and unshakable resolve. The weapon was moved out of reach, and they assessed the wounds, working diligently to apply advanced bleeding control techniques. Their actions were swift yet deliberate, their focus unbreakable. This was no longer just a rescue — it was a fight against time itself due to the extremely large volume of blood loss.
They continued rendering aid until EMS arrived, then together they carried the patient down several flights of stairs so they could be whisked away to Morristown Medical Center. A later follow-up with the patient’s family and surgeon offered relief for everyone. The victim had stabilized and was on the road to recovery. There was no doubt that their quick thinking and heroic actions had made this possible.
We applaud Patrolman Skylar Wintemberg and Detective Colin Yuill who remind us that even in the darkest moments, light can be found through the acts of those who refuse to give up.
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Boonton Township Fire Department
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2025 Summer Camp
Click the link below for the registration:
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Historical Society of Boonton Township & Canal Society of New Jersey
Some pictures from the Griffith Park Dedication that was held earlier today
| The Pathways of History On behalf of Pathways of History participant organizations, welcome to our spring 2025 tour! Join us for a fun-filled weekend exploring a record 30 of Morris County’s smallest history organizations across 20 municipalities as they open their doors to highlight the depth and breadth of history found throughout the region. Click the link below for more information: |
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Municipal Building & Police Headquarters
Construction Update
This week's construction photos
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Morris County Library
Monday - Thursday: 9:00-9:00
Friday & Saturday: 9:00-5:00
30 East Hanover Ave.
Whippany, NJ 07981
973-285-6930
Upcoming Special Events
Spring Lunchtime Concert
Wed., 5/14: Duo Diletto (flute & guitar) perform music of Niccolo Paganini, Bela Bartok, and Astor Piazzolla.
Wed., 5/21: Nicholas Pappone (violin), Joseph Staten (cello), and Darren O’Neill (guitar) will perform music of Olivier Mayran de Chamisso and Niccolo Paganini.
Lunch and Learn with the Morris County Division on Aging, Disabilities, and Community Programming
Fri., 5/30 | 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Representatives from the Morris County Office on Aging, Disabilities, and Community Programming will present on the variety of programs and services provided by the Division. A light lunch will be provided after the presentation Seating is limited; therefore, registration is required with the below link.
Stay up to date with events and activities provided by the Morris County Library by signing up for their newsletter or viewing their website:
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Rockaway Valley Garden Club (RVGC)
The Rockaway Valley Garden Club (RVGC) will have its 2025 Annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 10, 2025 (rain or shine) from 8:00 AM - Noon at a new location: Boonton United Methodist Church at 626 Lathrop Avenue, Boonton, NJ 07005. The plant sale will include native plants, deer resistant plants, hardy perennials, vegetable and herb seedlings. Enjoy your day shopping from a variety of plants for your garden, deck, and patio.
Guests are always welcome, and we encourage you to come join us to see what we are all about.
Check us out at our website: www.RockawayValleyGardenClub.org or on our Facebook page.
Any questions can be sent to our email address: info@rockawayvalleygardenclub.org
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Green Team News
Earth day Fun with the NJDEP
DEP Earth Day Event at Liberty State Park - April 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Activities include park cleanup, games, bird watching, arts and crafts, family activities, environmental education, food trucks and live entertainment.
Click this link to RSVP: Earth Day RSVP
Click the link below for information on material reuse:
Meetings are held on the first Friday of the month at 3PM
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 the upcoming year.
*Contact Daria VanderGoot for more information about the Green Team at dvandergoot@boontontownship.com*
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Boonton Township Recreation
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Book Club
All Book Club Meetings are at 7pm – AT THE YMCA as Town Hall will be under construction. The YMCA has graciously allowed us to have all our meetings while town hall is under construction there!
For those of you reading ahead, on May 13 at 7pm we in the Lakeland Hills YMCA upstairs room we will be discussing:
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Doolittle’s Landing Playground @ RVA Fields
In 2001, a group of community volunteers formed a committee to create a new playground at RVA Fields highlighting the Township's roots and the site's connection to aviation history.
The volunteers planned, held fundraisers, sold pavers and constructed the playground in the Spring of 2002.
After more than 20 years as a place enjoyed by thousands of children in our community, the Township Committee announced it will be upgrading Doolittle’s Landing in 2026.
Our playground vendor is working on some preliminary concepts before we host a meeting seeking community input which is planned for the Spring.
Stay tuned for this exciting project!!
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Prescription Drug Drop Box Program
check the County website for drop off locations.
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Recycling News
Earn up to $50 When You Recycle Old Appliances
or call 888-314-8141
Visit energysaveNJ.com/fridge or call 888-314-8141 to schedule your pickup.
JCP&L will collect your working appliance. No-contact pickups are available.
You’ll receive $50 for recycling your fridge or freezer.
Receive an additional $25 when you recycle an air conditioner or dehumidifier with a qualifying full-size refrigerator or freezer.
*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 RECYLABLES IN PLASTIC BAGS, THEY WILL NOT BE TAKEN CURBISDE OR AT THE DEPOT*
*For more information on recycling visit MCMUA Website*
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Notary Services
are offered free-of-charge to all Township Residents
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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News from our Health Officer
Click the below link for the Morris County Health Departments Spring Newsletter!
Public Health Nurse Office Hours
Our Public Health Nurse has weekly office hours from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM - please call to confirm the day.
The Public Health Nurse serves as a vital resource to our community for health-related referrals such as COVID tests and vaccines or weight loss management.
Blood pressure screenings are done during office hours - no appointment is necessary.
Good idea to call 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: https://health.morriscountynj.gov/coronavirus/#cases for up-to-date data and information.
Go to https://www.morriscountynj.gov/Residents/Health/Coronavirus to find vaccination and testing sites in Morris County.
If you have any questions, call the County COVID Hotline at 973-829-8250.
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Renovation and Addition to the Municipal Building & Police Headquarters
For more information about this project go to:
Municipal Building and Police Headquarters Renovation and Addition
See the Public Presentation
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Open Space and Recreation Plan
The Boonton Township Final Open Space and Recreation Plan Update is available by clicking the link below.
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If you do not wish to receive a
Vote by Mail ballot
for all future elections,
Ballot Opt-Out Form
is available at
https://www.morriscountyclerk.org/files/sharedassets/clerk/forms/mib-voter-opt-out-form-050621.pdf
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News From the Police Department
Earlier this week, the Boonton Township Police Department re-installed automated external defibrillators in various locations throughout the RVA Fields.
Click here for additional information: News Post
| " ALERT BOONTON TOWNSHIP " |
STAY CONNECTED WITH…
BOONTON TOWNSHIP’S EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM
TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS ARE URGED TO REGISTER
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.
FOLLOW THE BOONTON TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT ON FACEBOOK!
Type in @BOONTONTWPPD IN YOUR FACEBOOK SEARCH BAR OR IN MESSENGER TO FIND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PAGE
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