Township Times
weekly edition
News for the next week...
6/19 - BTEF 5K Run - RVA Fields
6/19 - Recycling Center - open from 9 AM to noon - center closes when dumpsters are full **You must unload your own recyclables - no assistance will be provided**
6/20 - Father's Day
6/20 - First Day of Summer
6/24 - Curbside Recycling
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Each week we will include a fun fact or historic tidbit about our great hometown
The Underground Railroad ran through Boonton Township
The Powerville Hotel on North Main Street was a station along the Underground Railroad.
The Hotel was owned by Nathan Hopkins, whose son Charles Hopkins became involved in the railroad as a teenager, went on to join the First New Jersey Volunteer Infantry in 1861
and eventually became the first Mayor of the Town of Boonton.
The Underground Railroad ran from Boonton to Powerville then through Rockaway Valley, by today's Split Rock Reservoir and into West Milford.
There were also stations in Rockaway, Dover, Pequannock and the Newfoundland, Stockholm, Canistear and Charlottesburg areas at the convergence of Morris, Passaic and Sussex counties.
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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from the Township Committee and Staff
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THIS SATURDAY
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Boonton Township Committee introduces ordinances to address the State cannabis laws
The Mayor and Township Committee have introduced several ordinances as to the licensing and regulations pertaining to local cannabis operations in response to recently adopted State legislation known as the “New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act,” N.J.S.A. 24:6I-31 et seq. (the “Law”), which legalized the sale and recreational use of cannabis by persons age 21 and older.
Why is the Township taking this action at this time?
Under the Law, the State requires municipalities to take official action to adopt ordinances related to certain cannabis business activities by August 21, 2021, or otherwise forfeit the right to zone for and restrict these types of business activities at the local level for five years.
What happens if the Township does not take any action and adopt this ordinance?
While the voters of the State of New Jersey legalized the recreational use of marijuana, the Law requires local governments to act with respect to the various licensing of business, such as cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and distribution. If a municipality fails to do so, the retail sale of cannabis would be automatically allowed as a permitted conditional use in all commercial/retail zones; and the business operations of all cultivation, manufacturing, wholesale, distribution of cannabis will be deemed permitted in all industrial zones within the Township.
Summary of the proposed Township Ordinances
In response to the Law, on June 7, 2021, the Mayor and Township Committee introduced three ordinances which in coordination, prohibit the licensing/operation of cannabis retailers and the licensing and business locations of delivery services throughout the Township. In addition, the Township Committee introduced an ordinance banning licenses and business operations for cannabis cultivation, manufacturing, wholesale and distribution in all locations throughout the Township, except for one concurrent license of each class-type that the State Law has carved-out solely for pre-existing licensed medical alternative treatment centers. If applied for and approved, operations related to the concurrent licensees will only be permitted at the one pre-existing medical cannabis licensed location in operation at 130 Old Denville Road.
Finally, the Township Committee introduced an ordinance which precludes the public delivery and consumption of cannabis at any indoor or outdoor public place or establishment throughout the Township. This includes in any public park, public building, and on any public roadways and businesses open to the public throughout the Township. While recreational consumption is permitted by law, these local ordinances maintain that the delivery, sale and consumption of cannabis is only allowed at private residences.
Complete copies of the ordinances are available at: https://ecode360.com/documents/pub/BO1072/Legislation/?subCategory=(Uncategorized)&year=2021
The following are some frequently asked questions and responses regarding the Township’s proposed ordinances:
QUESTION: Do these ordinances mean that no business can sell cannabis throughout the Township to consumers?
ANSWER: Yes. Businesses are prohibited from selling cannabis items to consumers from storefronts or other business locations in the Township. However, the State Law does not allow municipalities to restrict or prohibit online/telephone sales and delivery services to private residences. Retail sale to consumers is also precluded at the pre-existing licensed medical alternative treatment center site.
QUESTION: Can a business make a land use application for the development of a retail or wholesale business to sell cannabis within the Township?
ANSWER: Such applications cannot legally be approved since this ordinance specifically bans such activity and licensing within the Township.
QUESTION: What is the reasoning in support of permitting a cannabis operation license at the Old Denville Road site?
ANSWER: The site is already legally permitted to conduct a medical cannabis operation in accordance with State licensing laws and is already authorized under the State Law to hold a concurrent cannabis license for cultivation, manufacturing, wholesale and distribution. The operation, as it presently exists, includes medical cannabis cultivation and processing (i.e. manufacturing) for medical use. Permitting the ability of the licensed medical cannabis growing and processing facility to cultivate and process recreational cannabis does not change the existing operations at the facility or the extent of such operations. It does, however, provide for the legal right of the Township to collect user and transfer taxes on the sale of such cannabis of up to 2% at each class type (ie. 2% on gross sales for cultivation, 2% on gross sales for manufacturing, 1% on gross sales for wholesale).
QUESTION: How much revenue would this change in cultivating for recreational use provide to the Township?
ANSWER: Current law does not provide that medical cannabis can be taxed by the Township locally. However, recreational cannabis may be taxed up to 2% of the gross revenues at each class type. Based on some of the preliminary calculations applied to the existing operation at 130 Old Denville Road, it is anticipated that it would result in over $1 million/year to the Township, which would equate to approximately 15% of the Township’s existing budget.
QUESTION: What happens if the Township prohibits recreational licenses to the 130 Old Denville Road site?
ANSWER: The existing operation can continue, and the property owner is not obligated to remit to the Township a use/transfer tax on the gross sales from the operation.
QUESTION: Will the existing cannabis site at 130 Old Denville Road sell the product to businesses or consumers within the Township?
ANSWER: No. The decisions of the Township Committee preclude the cannabis site from distributing cannabis to consumers or businesses in Boonton Township. The taxes that will be assessed are on sales to businesses outside of Boonton Township.
QUESTION: As a result of the proposed ordinances, will I be able to utilize cannabis in a public park?
ANSWER: No. The use of cannabis in a public park or at any other facility, including the facility at 130 Old Denville Road, is prohibited. This ordinance bans public consumption of cannabis throughout the Township, it also bans “cannabis consumption areas,” which would otherwise allow for consumption of cannabis items in certain semi-public locations. It is only legal in your own private residence or within the confines of private lodging locations when permitted by the landlord or private property owner.
QUESTION: There have been concerns regarding the odor emanating from the 130 Old Denville Road location. What impact will this ordinance have on such concerns?
ANSWER: The operations will not change as a result of this ordinance. However, the ordinances increase the restrictions on odor and volatile organic compounds (“VOCs”) based on generally accepted legal and industry standards, including utilizing current emission technology. The Township has been in constant communication with the State of New Jersey Department of Health, the NJDEP and the Township's Health Officer and has hired a scientist to evaluate and monitor emissions at the existing site. In addition, the Township has engaged an independent air quality study to ensure the overall safety of Township residents. Whether the site is producing cannabis for recreation or medical, the same health standards and enforcement will apply. As part of the proposed ordinance, the Township has an opportunity to enhance the air quality standards with respect to the operation in the event of noncompliance.
QUESTION: Will cultivation of recreational cannabis change the existing operation at the site?
ANSWER: No. The existing canopy and structures cannot be enlarged on the property unless the property owner seeks approval from the Planning Board. That is the status of the property today and that is the status of the property whether the site is utilized for recreational or medical use.
QUESTION: What are the tax and financial implications of this ordinance?
ANSWER: Although the permitted operation will not change, the financial aspects for the Township will change. It is estimated that the site will generate for the Township of Boonton, revenue in the amount of $1.2 million per year. That represents nearly 15% of the Township's budget. This financial infusion to the Township, without expansion of an existing site, will provide for tax relief and a potential reduction in the future tax rate of the Township. In order for the Township to generate the type of revenue that this site will be required to pay from their gross sales, it would otherwise require a corporate or industrial ratable in the amount of $51 million. This additional tax revenue will come without any additional infrastructure changes to the site.
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Recreation Boot Camp at RVA Fields
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One week left for sign-up
There is still availability for Summer Camp. Sign-up until July 1st
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Sunday Morning Adult Softball - 10:00 AM- Noon at RVA Fields - All welcome.
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Morris County Park Police Close Tourne County Park
closed until further notice
residents are encouraged to use Kincaid Woods County Park on Powerville Road
The Tourne County Park located in Denville & Boonton Twps. and the Borough of Mountain Lakes is currently closed due to a large bear being reported in an area frequented by visitors. The bear on one occasion aggressively approached visitors on a trail. The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife has classified this as a Category One bear and is responding.
Morris County Park Police is currently working with the Division of Fish and Wildlife and a bear trap has been set inside the park. Due to the accessibility of the location of where the trap has been placed, it is necessary to close the park to guests.
The Morris County Park Police is currently and actively patrolling the area and we ask visitors for their patience and to not enter the park until it is safe to do so.
For bear safety tips, visit the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife website at https://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/bearfacts_safetytips.htm
BOCCE
Thursday evenings at Leonard Park Bocce Courts @ 5 PM
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BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, July 13th at 7:00pm
Read any Biography you want and come prepared to talk about it for about 5 minutes.
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Reminder
JCP&L power line tree trimming project until June 30th
NG Gilbert is working throughout Township rights-of-way to clear power lines of branches and offending trees.
Property owners have signed statements with NG Gilbert accepting responsibility for removal of cut trees left in the right-of-way and their adjoining properties.
The Township will be sending notices to property owners reminding of the need to remove the fallen trees from the right-of-way and adjoining properties as soon as possible.
Please be sure to remove all cut trees from the front of your property - leaving a sign stating "Free Firewood" will certainly aid in the quick removal of the cut wood.
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BOONTON TOWNSHIP BOOK SWAP
we have plenty of books for your reading pleasure
Don't forget about the Township Book Swap. Stop by the Municipal Building during business hours (8 AM - 4 PM) to select any book(s) of your choice.
We are currently at capacity so we are not accepting any new books.
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Weekly Coronavirus Update
The cumulative number of cases as of the start of community transmission in Morris County of COVID-19 in early March 2020 now stands at 507 cases as of June 17, 2021 - no increase since last week.
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.
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Walk-in vaccinations now available
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Morris County Free COVID-19 Testing
No-Cost In-Person Testing at CCM
Morris County is now offering no-cost, in-person saliva COVID testing at County College of Morris.
Parking at CCM for people with appointments will be reserved in Lot 6, where individuals using public transportation to and from CCM also may board or disembark from a bus. To find directions to CCM and learn more about public transportation options to and from the campus, please go to the CCM website.
Sign up for an in-person testing appointment.
If you have any questions, call our COVID Hotline at 973-829-8250.
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We'd love to include your community organization in our weekly newsletter
If your community organization has information you'd like to share in our weekly newsletter please let us know.
email submissions to: dcabana@boontontownship.com
media must be in jpeg form
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In search of old Boonton Township photographs
for display in the Municipal Building
we can certainly arrange to reprint your photograph if you cannot donate it to the Township
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A Message From the Boonton Township Police Department
| " 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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