Public Hearing August 17, 2011 at the Montague Municipal Building

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
Green Acres Program  - Notice of Public Hearings on Proposed Conveyance
(Lease) of State-owned Lands in High Point State Park (Montague Township, Sussex County), Long Pond Ironworks State Park (West Milford Township and
Ringwood Borough, Passaic County) and Ringwood State Park (Ringwood  Borough, Passaic County and Mahwah Township, Bergen County).
Take notice that in accordance with N.J.S.A. 13:1D-51 through 58, the State of New Jersey, Department or Environmental Protection ("NDJEP" or Department"), Green Acres Program, will hold three public hearings to seek comments on a proposed 25-year conveyance (lease) to Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company ("Tennessee") of certain State-owned lands, described more specifically below, in High Point State Park (Montague Township, Sussex County), Long Pond Ironworks State Park (West Milford Township and  Ringwood Borough, Passaic County), and Ringwood State Park (Ringwood Borough, Passaic County and Mahwah Township, Bergen County).
 
One only needs to go to nearby Vernon, NJ to see what's ahead in terms of clearcut deforestation, earth removal and  truck traffic. Similar projects raise concerns in residential areas.
Photo: Courtesy  Congressman Garrett's office
Montague resident picked as Senior of the Year 

The county award announced at Thursday's Senior Day at the NJ State Fair, hosted by the Division of Senior Services, went to Louis Avenatti of Montague.


Avenatti is an active member of the Montague Senior Club, volunteers as an income tax filer for seniors, and has organized seniors to assist with the Sussex County Food Pantry. He was nominated as Sr. volunteer of the Year by the township committee.


"He is tireless in his pursuit of programs, speakers and activities that will offer valuable information, advice or entertainment to our seniors", said Lorraine Hentz, Sussex County Division of Senior Services director.

Also nominated on the county level, hailing from Montague was Joseph Lashendock Jr.
BEAR info -
To report a nuisance black bear, call the DEP's 24-hour, toll-free hotline:  1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).

If a bear is seen around your neighborhood, it is important to immediately discourage repeat visits. What you can do is determine if there is anything attracting it in your neighborhood that will cause the bear to return.  If you have unsecured garbage, pet food, barbecue grills, or other food items available in your yard, you should secure those items as soon as possible.
A nuisance bear is one that looks for handouts, hangs around because it thinks food is available, or becomes aggressive, etc.  More information about bears is available on this NJ website.

Due to a shortage of acorns this year, bears will be looking for alternative food sources and have already been more active trying to access them. If a bear lingers near your house for an extended time, despite loud noises being made -  report it before it causes damage. 
 
Did you know  - Montague almost had a railroad track running through town!


The Evening Gazette,  July 24, 1873  (page 1)