Click the above title to be forwarded to the BOE webpage where the 7th & 8th grade addition is shown, along with other pertinent information.

By now, most residents have received a postcard with information about a meeting [re-scheduled from last night til tomorrow evening 12/19@ 7PM] and the upcoming Jan. 28 school expansion referendum.

Reported in today's NJ Herald - as excerpted from an article by ERIC OBERNAUER : 

" the Board of Education is still waiting to find out how much state aid it will be able to apply toward the estimated $12.9 million project. A presentation on the referendum is expected at Thursday’s meeting.
In the meantime, those wary of inclement weather or otherwise concerned they might not make it to the polls on Jan. 28 can apply for a mail-in ballot.
The mail-in ballot application form can be downloaded by visiting the Sussex County Clerk’s Office website at www.sussexcountyclerk.com and clicking on the appropriate link under “Forms.” An application also can be requested by calling the County Clerk’s Office at 973-579-0900.
The mail-in ballots, which have not yet been printed but are expected to be ready soon, will be sent out to any registered voter completing the required application. The completed ballots, however, must be returned to the County Clerk’s Office and received no later than Jan. 20 in order to be counted.
Registered voters also have the option of voting early by visiting the Sussex County Clerk’s Office on or before Jan. 20. The County Clerk’s Office — located at 83 Spring St., Suite 304, Newton — will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1 for the holidays but will be open all other weekdays before the referendum from 8 to 4 p.m. Extended hours also will be available Monday, Jan. 6, from 8 to 6 p.m."   ...
"For those planning to vote in the referendum, Jan. 7 is also the voter registration deadline. Registration can be done in person by visiting the township clerk at Township Hall.
A voter registration form can also be obtained in person or online from the Sussex County Board of Elections, located at 83 Spring Street, Suite 305, Newton.
Those registering through the Board of Elections must ensure their completed forms are received no later than Jan. 7 in order to vote in the Jan. 28 referendum.
To accommodate those needing to register, McCabe said the Board of Elections office would remain open Jan. 7 until 9 p.m. Those with further questions can call the Board of Elections directly at 973-579-0950."

In the Wed. 12/18 NJ Herald - the state aid figure was released: 

 "... the state has released preliminary aid figures indicating it is willing to pay $863,533 of the estimated $13  million cost to expand the district’s K-6 elementary school to accommodate  grades seven and eight."

Montague's overall Send/ Receive relationship with Port Jervis actually predates 1950. 
Montague secondary students have attended at Port Jervis since the late 1800's, which accepted pupils from the entire Tri-State area - including PA.  An actual send-receive relationship was formally initiated with that district to address Montague's ability to send its high school level students there around 1914.
In 1950, the current elementary building was being proposed and the remaining one-room schoolhouses were to be consolidated. Sen. Alfred B. Littell introduced legislation to allow NJ state aid to continue towards our 7th and 8th graders, which the Montague BOE wanted to have obtain their Middle School education in NY. The township was already anticipating the Tocks Island Dam project, which would later impact the most populated section of the township - along its river frontage, and the town population then remained well under 1000.
P.L.1950, c.158, is the original law regarding that out-of-State sending-receiving relationship which was approved May 1950.
With the expansion of State and Federally held land holdings, together with other tracts held for conservation, Montague currently has roughly 30% of property left that is considered tax rateable and receives limited compensation for the rest. See page 11 - Figure 10.
Another casualty to today's wintry weather.....
tonight's Montague Township Committee meeting is now cancelled, as per committeeman P. Brislin.
IMPORTANT change to Montague Elementary School meeting about the upcoming referendum  to add a 7th & 8th grade addition to the school on Route 206:

Due to weather, the Board of Education meeting has now been rescheduled to Thurs, Dec 19 @ 7PM in the gymnasium.

 The Montague School Board of Education is holding a Special School Election on Tuesday, January 28, 2014. Polling for all three Montague Voting Districts will be at the Montague Elementary School gymnasium. Polls will be open from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

 The Special Election is being held for the expansion and renovation of the Elementary School to accommodate the School District’s middle school students.

With Thanksgiving behind us, it's time to 
step into the Christmas season!
Pop by the Foster-Armstrong House 
and experience times past!

2007 photo
Nov. 30th and Dec. 1st   1-4 PM; Dec. 7th 1-4 PM 

Dec. 8th - Candlelight Evening Tour only from 5-7:30 PM
Dec. 14th and 15th 1-4 PM
All held weather allowing!

Costumed docents will welcome you. 
Handmade crafts and other items for sale & refreshments offered.

On 25 September 1789, Elias Boudinot of Burlington, New Jersey, introduced in the United States House of Representatives a resolution "That a joint committee of both Houses be directed to wait upon the President of the United States, to request that he would recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging, with grateful hearts, the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a Constitution of government for their safety and happiness." 
             Thanksgiving Proclamation
By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation.
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me ‘to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:’
NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed – for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted – for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge – and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions – to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
(signed) G. Washington
With Thanksgiving around the corner, 
'tis the season!



Purchase a “Discover NJ History” License Plate Before Stock Runs Out

Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware River and at the center of industry and travel on the bustling East Coast, New Jersey has always been a place where things happen and history is made.

Exploring that history can take you to Washington Crossing State Park where General George Washington and his troops crossed an icy Delaware River to attack Hessian soldiers resting in Trenton and to Ellis Island where millions of immigrants first entered America. Exploring history may also take you to Menlo Park where Thomas Edison’s research laboratories churned out world-changing inventions, to Whitesbog Farm where blueberries were first cultivated for consumption by people around the world, to the Cape May Lighthouse, which at 150 years of age is one of the nation’s oldest lighthouses in continuous operation, or to the High Point Monument in our own High Point State Park right here in Montague, where you can view three states from the highest elevation in NJ.
Experience our local heritage at the Foster-Armstrong House on River Rd.

This year, when traveling to your favorite historic destination in New Jersey, 
why not show other motorists where you are headed?
 Purchase a “Discover New Jersey” license plate and support the preservation of those historic landmarks that you enjoy visiting.  

Money from the sale and renewal fees of these plates goes to the “Discover NJ History” License Plate Fund for Heritage Tourism, which supports projects that develop and promote visitor ready sites as heritage tourism destinations.    
 The greater the proceeds from license plate sales and renewals,
 the more funding that is available for innovative and collaborative 
projects that encourage heritage tourism.
Pay a one-time $50 fee ($10 annual renewal) and pick up your “Discover NJ History”
 plates at any motor vehicle agency or place your order by mail. You can also
 personalize your plates with up to five characters for an initial $100 fee ($10 annual renewal).  
Visit Motor Vehicle Services at http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Vehicle/DedicatedPlates.htm
or call (888) 486-3339.


So, don’t just explore New Jersey history, be a part of it by helping 
to preserve historic sites for future generations! 
Veteran's Day is but a reminder to honor our military veterans, 
who safeguard our freedoms, each and every day!
Do not forget to thank them, for what they sacrificed to help keep us free.

High Point State Park's 90th Anniversary
A special celebration commemorating the park's anniversary 
will take place at 2 pm on Saturday, October 26th.

 The Friends of High Point State Park are sponsoring an Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration from 11 am to 3 pm in the High Point State Park at 1480 State Route 23 in the Interpretive Center near Lake Marcia. 
The commemoration will be observed towards the end of that event. 

 Watch a seasonal feast be prepared and enjoy sample tastings of soups, meats, sides, and desserts that have been cooked fireside. Seasonal children’s activities will be offered. The event is FREE, but donations are appreciated. 
For more information on the Friends of High Point State Park and their events, please visit www.friendshighpointstatepark.blogspot.com. 
Frost on the Pumpkins is a'comin...
      Indian Summer giving way to a definite freeze this week.

 While we anticipate Trick or Treaters coming around on Halloween.. historians and others feel that some unfortunate mischief was visited upon Tri-State Rock, the marker which reflects where the states of NY, PA and NJ unite.

 Enroute home from viewing the Tri-State Classic, I took family and a visitor to see the Boundary monument and the Tri-State Rock  - only to witness:

   
I have been told by NJ staff that according to National Geodetic Survey records, the disk was installed in 1942.  State personnel inspect this monument and were last there on August 15th. They found the disk was intact then.  
The disk (or medallion) is for surveying purposes.  It has a center point which allows a surveyor to set up instrumentation over it and survey to or from it. 



"The History and Demise of the Tocks Island Dam Project:.."

People wonder why History is important.
It is only in looking back, that we can plan forward. Part of the process of making valid decisions is reviewing how things came to be, how certain occurrences caused ripple effects.
The northwest corner of NJ has witnessed changes, many of which were affected by what was happening on a broader scale. Starting with the changing bounds of East and West Jersey, and the NY-NJ Boundary Dispute, this area always seems to have been experiencing some sort of flux. Clicking the map in the link: showing the 1768 Jeffreys Map of New York and New Jersey will leave a student of geography puzzled. Zoom in to view the disputed boundaries over time.

Early on, many roadways converged and crossed the Delaware River - leading further inland. Later the D&H Canal and the Erie Railroad were instituted beyond the state's boundary. Businesses shifted to be closer to the transportation routes, and the surrounding region became primarily rural and agricultural following the Civil War. People came to stay at area hotels, boarding homes, and to visit the new High Point State Park. The Erie RR would help sustain the region's overall level of prosperity til the 1970's.

After 1950, the opposing ends of Montague were greatly altered and affected by the new bridge to Milford destroying the original town center, and by the addition of Interstate 84 - with the Tocks Island Dam permanently impacting the western, and more populated, section of town. These three greatly changed the face of Montague.
The initial Tenn Gas Pipeline project had cut across town in the 1950's, but as farms struggled to survive, developers began to acquire and subdivide the large sparsely populated tracts. Holiday Lake was one such project, which evolved as the most densely populated section of the township. The current TGP Northeast upgrade follows the original route, but also impacts another segment of town. The greatest portion of land now belongs to the State and Federal government, and together with the Nature Conservancy and the NJ Land Trust, own close to 70% of township land.

 Cub Scout Pack returning 

The Montague Vol. Fire Dept has offered to help charter the return of a Cub Scout program to Montague. In the late 1980's and 1990's, Cub Scout Pack 98 was an active Cub Scout group in town. Most of the local Boy Scouts continue to belong to Troop 180 which meets in Branchville.
Anyone interested in more information or to join - call 973-222-1013.
Montague Best-In-Show Winners 

 Local 4-H club participants, Kristen Snyder and Lauren Batko, were awarded the Silver Plate award for their "Best In Show" entries under the Arts and Crafts and the Nature categories during the Sussex County Farm & Horse Show at the NJ State Fair.
              



(L-R) Kristen, of the Shelton’s Shooters club, sewed a Mad Hatter style hat as her entry for Fabric Craft; Lauren, of the Horsewise club, submitted a winning floral arrangement.
to Montague resident, Joe Lashendock Jr.,  during Senior Day events at the fair.


As reported in the NJ HERALD on Aug. 9th by ERIC OBERNAUER :
 "Since moving to Sussex County 23 years ago, Lashendock's story has been one of continued service as a food pantry volunteer and as an active member of the county's Senior Services Advisory Council and Transit Citizens Advisory Committee."
"From organizing food drives to help feed the hungry, to helping non-profit organizations in fundraising efforts, to working on committees to improve the quality of life for seniors and Sussex County residents, Joe wholeheartedly and humbly lives to make life better for all," said Senior Services Director Lorraine Hentz. "His most endearing quality is his insatiable desire to come to the aid of anyone at any time without hesitation." 

County Route 521 - River Rd. in Montague Township has been 
reopened to through traffic from Route 206 through to Maple Ave. in Port Jervis, NY.
Will Miss Montague be chosen
the Queen of the Fair?

 In compiling a list of former Miss Montague's, it was discovered the town had young women from the township chosen in the past.

 As seen in an old fair booklet created by the Sussex County Farm & Horse Show:

NJ State Fair and Sussex County Farm & Horse Show starts on Friday Aug. 2nd and runs until Sunday Aug. 11th.
Military Veterans are admitted FREE with applicable ID at the gate. 
Sussex County Resident Deal - any day with applicable ID at the gate: Adult $8;  Child $5 [6 - 12 yrs.];  Senior $5 [60+]. 
Same price range during Early Bird Special: 
 Monday - Thursday, August 5th - 8th, entry between 10 AM - 12 PM.

Senior's Day Thursday, Aug. 8th 
Special Senior rate $4 [60+] at the gate.

Read more »
2 "High Point's" within Montague Township:

 Quite often, when mentioning "High Point",  the connection folks make with that name is to the High Point Country Club [HPCC] and the Golf Club located within it.

 Originally opened as "Holiday Lake", it had been planned as a vacation and weekend country resort for those residing near more metropolitan areas.

 Its homes were to be alongside man-made lakes, where once a free-flowing brook had flowed across adjacent farms. 
In time, it evolved into a year-round residential community and was renamed as Canyon Ridge Country Club, prior to becoming HPCC.

 The true owner of the name is New Jersey's highest elevation at 1803 feet, located near Montague's boundary with Wantage - situated high up on the mountain and visible to those in NJ, NY and PA. The High Point monument stands by that spot, within a state park bearing the same name - created in the early 1920's.

High Point Monument was erected through the generosity of Col. and Mrs Anthony R. Kuser, and was dedicated with great fanfare on June 21, 1930. 
The monument was dedicated "to the glory and honor and eternal memory of New Jersey heroes by land and sea and air in all wars of our country".  
 Update

 According to the county, and as reported in the NJ Herald: Officials have completed their investigation into the cause of the road collapse along County Route 521 (River Road) and hope to have the road reopened on or about Aug. 2. 



Further update to alert .. re: County Route 521 - River Rd.

 Please be advised that, as per the Sussex County Engineering Division, a portion of River Road is now expected to remain closed - just North of the intersection with New Mashipacong Road, for two-three weeks.  Details have been posted online by the County.

 Part of the road collapsed shortly after drilling began for a portion of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline’s route underneath the county road. The drilling was at a depth of 30 feet, so it is surmised there may have been a sinkhole below ground.

 July 13th is the 163rd annual Fireman's Day Parade. Allow extra time to travel north.

MARCH opens its historic houses to visitors
on Sunday's between 1 & 4 pm!

Today at the Foster-Armstrong House on River Rd., Sharon Orce - 
who chairs the Montague Grange, will be there with some of her own poultry.  
Children can view them up close, ask questions, etc.

There are brand new historic exhibits to view inside the building.
Varied exhibitors are scheduled throughout the summer, along with other events.

which once served as a one room schoolhouse, will open whenever possible during the same hours.

Stop by on a Sunday through until the end of August.
 Members of the society will be present to welcome you 
and serve as a volunteer tour-guide.

Check MARCH's Facebook page for the schedule and any updates or changes. 



Miss Montague 2013

Maria Yarosz was selected at the pageant 
held on June 15th, which was hosted by the Clubhouse 
within High Point Country Club 
and sponsored by the Montague Township Vol. Fire Dept.


(L - R)     Miss Montague 2013 - Maria Yarosz, 
    Miss Montague 2012 - Alexandra Frost, 
2013 Runner-Up - Sarah Mannion



 Little Miss                  Little Mister               Young Miss
Grace Loporto            Robert Faines              Maya Blake


Delaware River Safety Advisory:  Weekend Update
Release Date:  11:00 a.m., Friday, June 14, 2013

Due to heavy rains this week the Delaware River level as measured at Montague, New Jersey, is currently at 11.79 feet. It is predicted to rise to 13.7’ feet before cresting at 8:00 p.m. this evening.  The river level at the Montague gauge normally measures between five and six feet this time of year.  It is running seven to eight vertical feet higher than normal and the water temperature is in the fifties. 

By order of Superintendent John J. Donahue, issued on June 11, all individuals are required to wear a properly sized United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) in good and serviceable condition while on board any vessel on the waters of the Delaware River within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. This order will remain in effect until the river level recedes below 8 feet which is not expected until after the weekend.  Additionally, swimming is prohibited during this period.  “The safety of our visitors is a top priority and we are taking precautions to ensure that all of our visitors have a safe and enjoyable trip to the park,” said Donahue.  “We also need our visitors to take proper precautions too,” he added.  

At higher levels, river conditions include large quantities of floating debris, very swift currents, decreased water temperature and increased hydraulic hazards in rapids and near bridge pilings, as well as increased hazards associated with downed trees and submerged obstacles near the shoreline.  It is highly recommended that only very experienced boaters using proper equipment consider a river trip during this period of high water.  

Superintendent Donahue would like to remind visitors that there are plenty of alternatives available in the park this weekend.  “The park’s waterfalls will be spectacular this weekend from all of the rain that has fallen,” he pointed out.  “And the weather will be perfect for a hike on one of our many trails or a picnic at one of our picnic areas,” he added. 

Rangers at Dingmans Falls Visitor Center will be offering Ranger Talks at 10:00 a.m. and guided Waterfall Walks at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.  A Campfire Program will be offered on Saturday evening at 7:00 at Dingmans Campground.  
All programs are free and open to the public.  
Operational and Safety Improvements to Sussex County Route 653  [ a.k.a. Clove Road ]

 The Sussex County Division of Engineering has provided a link for those who wish to continue to be learn about the proposed improvements for Clove Rd. 
A video of a roundabout [ one is being considered for the intersection at Clove Rd. & Deckertown Tpke. ] will be posted at their website in the near future. DVDs of Roundabouts are also being made available at the municipal building.
Clove Road Concept Development Study. 

 The County is scheduled to be attending tonight's Committee Meeting on June 11, 2013, to discuss the changes that they have planned for Clove Road. 
The total project projected cost is about $25 million, funded by a federal grant. The project is going to specifically involve seven segments of Clove Road:
(1) the intersection of Red Hill Road, where Clove Road will be moved over quite a bit; 
(2) a round-about will be added at the Deckertown intersection; (3) the segment north of Millville Rd. will be moved over; (4) the intersection at New Road will be moved and straightened; (5) the segment by Old Mashipacong Road; 
(6) the hill by Westfall Farm/Winery will be reduced; 
(7) the hill by Reinhardt Rd. will be reduced. 

 Questions and concerns will be accepted by the County at the June 11 meeting. {As per Township Minutes of May 14th.}
Rain, Rain go away...

Events in the area that will be best enjoyed without any downpours:

Milford Music Fest  June 7- 9th  - held just across the river & throughout the town of Milford. See updated schedule and info at Facebook page
& 
Sussex County Birding and Nature Festival held at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. Free displays including information about our state and federal parklands, lands protected by many of the regional environmental non-profits efforts, nature exhibits, vendors and lectures throughout the weekend held in the Richards Building at the Fairgrounds and offsite field trips offered.
Kristen Snyder of Cadette Troop 840 and Jennifer Baarda, an Ambassador with Senior Troop 889, offer a Scout salute after placing a wreath by a memorial honoring those who have served in the Armed Forces. This year the younger generation took over this task at Montague Township's annual Memorial Day observance, honoring those who have served.

 MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE

MONDAY, MAY 27, 2013 10:00 A.M.

 AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING
Memorial Day - recalled as Decoration Day!
Image courtesy of  http://memorialday-2013.com



A 1869 local newspaper clipping,
related the significance of the event and the level of participation,
 after the official observance was first designated on May 30th of 1868,
following the Civil War. 

The name later would evolve to "Memorial Day", with the inclusion of honoring gravesites of all who served in the military. It was not until 1971 that a change, moving the observance to the last Monday in May, occurred.


The article notes the decoration of the grave of Capt. Cornelius C. Shimer,
 "a brave and gallant soldier" - one of Montague's own.


Our hearts go out to those impacted by the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma!

 While tornadoes of that magnitude are rare in this region, there have been instances when a twister touched down.
In light of warmer weather approaching, become familiar with basic steps to take before there is ever such an alert issued.




Armed Forces Day was first celebrated in 1950. 
Since then, it has been recognized annually on the 3rd Sat. in May. 
The United States Armed Forces were unified under the Department of Defense following World War II. In 1949, the Secretary of Defense L. Johnson announced the creation of a unified Armed Forces Day to replace separate celebrations by the five U.S. service branches: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The U.S. Dept. of Defense Armed Forces Day website, "President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country."
NEWS - Information about the Clove Road Corridor study is accessible via the township website.

Written comments and input are being accepted by June 8, 2013. 
The comment form is downloadable at the link off the website.


Who will be Miss Montague for 2013,

  crown
www.montaguenj.org/

or Montague Township's 

Young Miss, Little Miss, 

or Little Mister?

Contest is being sponsored by Montague Township’s Volunteer Fire Dept.

Application deadline is June 7th.


ENTRY FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE TOWN HALL,  SCHOOL'S MAIN OFFICE, MONTAGUE’S FIRE DEPT., and  MONTAGUENJ.ORG
Local Concept Development Study of Sussex County Route 653 - Clove Road Corridor Study Township of Montague, New Jersey

Sussex County in cooperation with the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, the NJDOT and FHWA hosted a Public Information Center to inform local residents, officials, business owners and the general public of the Local Concept Development Study for Sussex County Route 653 - Clove Road Corridor located in the Township of Montague.

The purpose of that Public Information Center meeting was to (1) inform the public of the development of various alternative solutions to address the project purpose and need and (2) solicit public input and comment towards the selection of a preliminary preferred alternative. 
The Public Information Center was conducted in conformance with Federal and State regulations. The public was invited and encouraged to comment on the study findings and alternatives.


The Public Information Center was held:
Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2013  Time: 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm 
Place: Montague Township Administration Building
277 Clove Road,    Montague, New Jersey 07827 

Information and Public Comment/Survey Forms were left at the Township on Building. Written comments and input are being accepted through June 8, 2013. 

 Panels showing the 7 Priority Improvement Areas and a proposed "Roundabout" at the Clove Rd. & Deckertown intersection were left at the Township Offices for viewing. 

 The project involves some ROW acquisitions to allow shoulder widening or to make alignment or grade alterations to the road at certain identified locations, and moving some electric poles further  from the existing roadway.
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