Top Issues of 2013 in Mendham-Chester

As 2013 winds down, we’re reminded that each year comes with an immense number of topics, issues, and news. So, in our first installment of “Year in Review” we’re going to look at the biggest issues that faced the Mendhams and Chesters in the past 12 months.

These choices, of course, are our editorial opinion. If you feel we’re wrong, or should add stories, let us know in the comments section. Thanks!

Making the Feasibility Study … Feasible

In 2011 and 2012, the groundwork for both Mendhams, Chesters, and Washington Township was laid that would fund a proposal seeking a feasibility study into the regional high school district and its structure, pertaining to cost and educational benefits.

After many meetings between the five towns’ mayors, the talks dissolved and each town was left to its own devices. That’s when all the towns, save for Washington Township, got back together and began discussing funding a feasibility study for themselves.

For more, read:

Mendham Mulls Feasibility Study Options
Mendham Twp. Won’t Commit School Study Funds
Chester Boro Sets $5K for School Study
School Study Feedback Being Prepped by Mendham Twp.
Mendham Borough Wants Flexibility in Feasibility Study
Mendham Township Authorizes School Study Funds 

A Road to Danger

Rt. 206 stretches the length of the state from north to south, and locally it runs through a splash of Chester Borough and a couple miles of Chester Township. While accidents occur on the major roadway often, the ones that took place in our area this year seemed more consistent and, sadly, more deadly.

There were two fatal crashes in the matter of weeks this fall, with a multi-car crash hospitalizing five in between. Once a crash occurs, the road is usually closed and motorists are forced to detour through back roads to get to their destination. A change may be coming, however.

For more, read:

Fatal Head-On Crash Closed Route 206 for Hours Friday
Baby Killed in Route 206 Chester Crash
Man Killed After Walking Into Route 206 Traffic, Police Say
5 Hospitalized After Chester Driver Runs Red Light, Cops Say
Cell Phone Use a Factor in Route 206 Crash, Cops Say
Three-Vehicle Collision on Route 206 Hospitalizes Two
Single-Car Crash on Rt. 206 Sends Two to Hospital
Rear-end Crash Clogs Chester Intersection

The Future Vision for Chester

The Chester Visioning Project had a progressive year, slating three sessions to meet in late October and early November. Prior to the meetings, hundreds of responses to surveys from Chester Borough and Township poured in, helping the residents to have a voice in how the towns could look 10 years from now.

Each town received $10,000 Sustainable Jersey Small Grants funded by PSE&G to put toward the project, and asked residents to speak about what they saw in the Chesters in 2025.

For more, read:

Survey Says: Chester in 2025
Lack of Wastewater Plan Threatens Turkey Farm Development
Turkey Farm Website Awaits Residents’ Input 

When Two Become One?

The discussion of merging towns is always being batted around, but this year was a little different. Not only did Mendham Township’s most popular resident, Governor Chris Christie, rail on his hometown and neighboring borough bearing the same name for being two rather than one, voters felt the same.

In the Nov. 5 General Election, a special question on the Mendham Township ballot asked voters if their town should explore a merge with Mendham Borough. The result? A resounding yes.

For more, read:

Christie ‘Can’t Understand’ Two Mendhams
Mendhams Mull Municipal Merger
Voters Want Mendham Twp. to Explore Merger With Borough