Construction on Rt. 206

Work on two major road projects in Morris County may cause delays for motorists in Chester and Netcong this week, according to TransOptions, the transportation management association for northern New Jersey.

In Chester, road excavation, drainage and sidewalk and curb construction will take place today on the Route 206 improvement project. Motorists should expect lane shifts to the west with reduced lane widths. Also, various lanes will be closed temporarily at varying times each day, with at least one lane in each direction being maintained during allowable hours.

The $19.5 million state Department of Transportation project will move Route 206 about 20 feet to the east to make way for left-turn-only lanes in both directions and a two-way, center-turn lane along Route 206.

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Chester Farmer's Market

Fresh produce grown right in the heart of Chester will be available at the borough's first annual farmer's market this summer.

The borough council on Tuesday unanimously approved an application put forward by the Historic Chester Business Association for a weekly farmer's market. The market will be open on Sundays from June 28 through November from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Chester Village Square parking lot on Perry Street.

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Business owners fear Rt. 206 work will hurt sales

Chester lane closures may discourage customers

Borough officials are eagerly awaiting the Route 206-Main Street improvement project that aims to alleviate congestion, while some area businesses are concerned it might affect their bottom line.

The $19.5 million state Department of Transportation project will move Route 206 about 20 feet to the east to make way for left-turn-only lanes in both directions and a two-way, center-turn lane along Route 206.

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Chesters merger idea to get feedback

Joint councils meeting will tap public opinion

Residents of Chester and Chester Township will have their say on whether the two municipalities should become one at a public hearing tonight.

A joint meeting of the councils will take place at the township municipal building to give residents the chance to weigh in on the possible merger of the Chesters. After that meeting, each council will then hold public hearings at their respective municipal halls to hear further comment.

In May of last year, the mayors of the two municipalities began an initiative to conduct a state-funded consolidation study in response to Gov. Jon S. Corzine's effort to drive down the cost of government by encouraging the mergers of small towns.

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$6M sought from feds for railroad line in Roxbury

Morris proposing 6 'shovel-ready' projects for stimulus funding

Morris County will ask for federal economic stimulus funding for six repair projects, including a $6 million reconstruction of a section of the Chester Branch Railroad and various road improvements across the county.

County Engineer Steve Hammond told the board of freeholders Wednesday that the projects chosen meet the general criteria of being "shovel-ready," meaning they need no further environmental or other reviews and can be put up for bids within 90 days. He said the county has been asked by state officials to compile a list of projects that could be ready for construction in 180 days.

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Car safety seat inspection site opens Chester Township

Jen Zervigon doesn't want to take any chances with her children's lives. That's why the expectant mother was one of the first parents to have her car seat inspected and correctly installed at the grand opening of the new Chester car seat inspection station Thursday morning.

"Car seats are deceptively easy," the Mendham Borough resident said. "You'd think you'd just have to put it in, but it's unbelievable to know how many things can go wrong. It's the least I can do to make sure my kids are safe."

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Affordable housing help on its way to Highlands towns

Highlands municipalities will be getting detailed information to help them determine how much affordable housing they can fit, as well as to help them comply with the regional master plan.

New Jersey Highlands Council Executive Director Eileen Swan outlined for the council on Thursday the process for conducting the build out analysis that is likely to lead to lower affordable housing quotas for most or all of the 67 municipalities, including 20 in Morris County, that have tentatively agreed to conform to the development plan. She also detailed the grants of at least $50,000 available to those communities.

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Chester Twp. mayor: Landfill penalties stink

Chester Twp., Washington Twp. on hook for environmental damage

Two Morris County towns are among the defendants responsible for paying the state $43 million to cover the cost of fixing the environmental damage done at Combe Fill South Landfill, according to the terms of a settlement released Tuesday.

More than 200 defendants -- including Chester Township and Washington Township -- have two months to pay the state $12.7 million to cover New Jersey's past remediation-related costs at Combe South, a 102-acre federal Superfund site off Parker Road in Chester and Washington townships.

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Video entries may be played on MendhamTV

MendhamTV, the television station of the Mendhams, is holding its second annual video contest.

The contest is open to residents of Mendham Township, Mendham, Chester Township and Chester.

Entries will be judged in three groups: pre-high school students, high school students, and adults. There is a limit of one entry per person. All entries must be submitted by January 15.

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Young cast recreates moment of miracle

Live Nativity a tradition at church in Chester

Nearly 40 local children took to the stage at Community Presbyterian Church in Chester Sunday evening to re-enact the Christmas story for the church's 27th annual living Nativity.

"For me, it's been a nice way to enjoy Christmas for what it really is," said Lisa Burns, the director of family ministries at the church.

Burns said the nativity was performed solely by the middle school students years ago, but has more recently incorporated congregants of all ages. The younger children act out the Christmas story, while the older ones and a few adult congregants narrate.

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