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CHATHAM, NJ — Chatham Township officials recently announced the acquisition of an 18-acre property located on Southern Blvd., commonly known as the Fenske property.

The announcement was made at the Nov. 28 township committee meeting.

According to Mayor Ashley Felice, the acquisition cost the township a total of $750,000; however, $350,000 was donated by the Morris County Open Space Trust Fund.

"After years of diligent negotiations, I am pleased to announce that Chatham Township has entered into a strategic agreement to acquire the approximate 18 acres of land… The acquisition of the Fenske property has been a long-term goal for our community, and tonight we will be introducing two ordinances to finalize the preservation of this property," Felice said.

The Fenske property, located at 422 Southern Boulevard, is next to Nash Field and the Great Swamp, making it an important piece of land for conserving open space in the township.

Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"This strategic move aligns with our ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations. By acquiring this property, we are not only securing a valuable green space but also fortifying our commitment to environmental conservation," Felice said. "The proximity to Nash Field and the Great Swamp makes this acquisition a pivotal piece of our community's green infrastructure, providing environmental preservation, supporting biodiversity, and maintaining the scenic beauty that defines Chatham Township."

Some concerns were raised over the use of a bond ordinance to help pay for the acquisition; however, Chatham Township's administrator, Zaid Shehady, explained that the bond was simply a precaution.

"We are not planning to bond anything. However, we don't have all of this cash right now to authorize it because of a cash flow issue, but we are finishing up with this year, and by the time we enter into 2024, which is when we expect the closing to happen, we don't have those funds right now in order to actually appropriate them. This guarantees that we will have that money, but come April or May, whenever we get to closing, we should have that cash flow starting to come in," Shehady said.

Funding for Morris County open space acquisitions and preservation comes from the voter-approved Morris County Open Space & Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, which is generated by a special county tax.

The funding source is also used for farmland and historic preservation, county parkland acquisition, trail development and the purchase of residential properties prone to flooding.

Since 1994, the Morris County Open Space Program has preserved more than 17,800 acres – which is larger than the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills – with approximately $295 million generated by the county preservation tax approved overwhelmingly by voters in November 1992.

The public will have the opportunity to comment on the ordinances at the Dec. 12 township committee meeting.

To view the full township committee meeting, click here.

Chatham Borough has officially phased out its "Green Bag" waste collection system in favor of a new automated system.

Vianella Burns, Patch Staff

|Updated Wed, Jan 3, 2024 at 12:06 am ET

CHATHAM, NJ — As the old adage goes, "out with the old, in with the new," and changes to garbage pickup in Chatham Borough officially began in the new year.

Chatham Borough announced plans to phase out its "Green Bag" waste collection system in favor of a new automated system back in November 2022. The "Green Bag" system was kept in place until the end of 2023, and the new system officially began this week.

The borough was using a "pay as you throw" system for green bags, which means that while everyone pays the same for collection, the amount they pay for disposal is determined by how much they throw out.

Chatham was one of five municipalities in the entire state that still used the "pay as you go" green garbage bag system, according to Council member Len Resto, who was the lone dissenting vote on the change back in 2022.

According to the board, the need for the switch was primarily due to financial issues. The cost of green bags under the old system included a trash tipping fee, which has risen in recent years.

Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The annual solid waste bill was $374 this year, plus the cost of green bags, a significant increase from the previous year. "Our vendor costs have gone up by more than 70 percent. This is a problem everywhere. It's absolutely crazy right now," Council member Jocelyn Mathiasen said previously.

It is estimated that if the borough had kept the green bag program, the prices would have risen further.

Under the new system, a 65-gallon garbage bin would cost $482, versus $564 with green bags. The smallest bin, which holds 35 gallons, would cost $259 instead of $374. There is also a 95-gallon bin, which is suitable for large families and costs $704.

The addition of cans is also expected to help reduce the appearance of rodents and prevent future problems with bears getting into trash bags.

Here is the new schedule, which went into effect this week:

The lids of the new garbage carts have arrows on them; the carts must be placed with the arrows facing the street and the handles facing the house, borough officials said.

Residents will be able to store an "excess trash" bag next to their container if there is an occasional surplus of trash. The stickers are $3 at Borough Hall and will cover one large (up to a 40-gallon) bag.

Residents will be allowed to use the stickers three times per year; if they desire more, they must upgrade their cart, according to officials.

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CHATHAM, NJ — Earlier this year, a long-standing building in Chatham Township was torn down as part of a new housing construction project approved by the township committee two years ago.

The sale of 522 Southern Boulevard, also known as Charlie Brown's property, was agreed upon by Chatham Township and the property owner, Kronos Holdings, LLC, in 2021.

What was previously the restaurant site will soon be transformed into affordable housing units as part of the township's third-round element of affordable housing, which it agreed to in December 2018 in litigation with the Fair Share Housing Center.

This week, it was announced that Walters, an award-winning developer based in Barnegat, has broken ground on that project, now dubbed "Cornerstone at Chatham," a 63-unit premium income-restricted apartment community.

Walters currently projects the new development to be ready for occupancy beginning in late spring 2024, however, completion of the entire property is slated for the fourth quarter of 2024.

Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Residents will enjoy modern features and amenities while living in the historic and quaint small town of Chatham,” said Joseph Del Duca, partner and director of Affordable Housing for Walters.

Because there is limited developable land in Chatham, the three-building community is being built on a 3.2-acre site that was previously occupied by Charlie Brown's Fresh Grill.

Due to its central location, future residents will have easy access to jobs, shopping, and recreational amenities. Chatham Mall and Hickory Square Shopping Center are both within walking distance, as are the municipally owned Nash Park and Shunpike Field.

The housing project is being built thanks to a unique funding partnership between Walters and Chatham Township. As a result, Walters received an extremely competitive 9 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC).

According to Del Duca, the town provided the land as well as funding support, including a planned shuttle bus service to the nearby NJ Transit rail station.

The three-building community will feature a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units ranging in size from 807 to 1,343 square feet. Parking will also be available for residents.

Cornerstone at Chatham is being built to meet green building certification, allowing residents to benefit from sustainable, efficient, and resilient housing. There will also be a fitness center, a community room, and an outdoor patio and clubhouse with seating, tables, and gas grills.

On request, a social services coordinator will be on hand, Walters representatives said.

The future apartments will be available to people earning 60 percent or less of the area's median income, officials said.

Another redevelopment project, which will add 245 new homes to the Chatham community, also recently broke ground.

The site plan, now dubbed "The Ivy of Chatham," was initially approved by the borough in 2021 and has been marketed as a luxury apartment complex with a mixture of 37 affordable housing units.

CHATHAM, NJ — Chatham Borough will hold its government reorganization meeting on Jan. 8.

The reorganization meeting will involve the swearing-in of Mayor-elect Carolyn Dempsey and newly elected Borough of Chatham Council members Brian Hargrove and Justin Strickland to new three-year terms on the all-Democratic council.

Thaddeus Kobylarz, the borough's current mayor, declared last year that he would not run for re-election to serve as mayor in 2024.

Incumbents Frank Truilo and Leonard Resto also chose not to run for re-election this year but are unanimous in wishing the new team well in their work for the Chatham Borough community.

Dempsey, who is presently serving her second term on the council, was elected with 1,734 public votes in November, according to official election results from the Morris County Clerk's office.

Find out what's happening in Chathamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Thad, Len, and Frank will be sorely missed,” said Dempsey. “However, I understand that being an elected official on behalf of the Borough requires a huge time commitment and that these great public servants have given much more than their share. All three have brought their passion and talents to their work for the Borough, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their contributions to our community.”

Hargrove has lived in the borough for 18 years and has raised three children in the Chatham School system with his wife, Judy-Ann. He also currently serves on the Borough's Joint Recreation Advisory Committee.

Strickland has been a resident of the borough for five years and is a member of the Historic Preservation Commission. Strickland is a combat veteran who earned a Bronze Star for his service on the front lines in Iraq. He also worked in the Pentagon as a civilian and received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Outstanding Achievement Award for his work in Afghanistan.

During the annual reorganization meeting, a new council president will be selected for 2024, along with the council's committee appointments for the upcoming year.

Mayor-elect Dempsey will also provide the community with an annual update and expectations for the new year.

The reorganization meeting is set for Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Chatham Borough Hall, 54 Fairmount Avenue, Chatham.

The meeting is open to the public and formal action is anticipated to be taken.

Photo Credit: TAP Chatham

Photo Credit: TAP Chatham

Photo Credit: TAP Chatham

Photo Credit: TAP Chatham

Photo Credit: TAP Chatham

Photo Credit: TAP Chatham

Lum Avenue residents have petitioned the mayor and borough council about ECLC overflow, all-day parking in front of their homes that has caused them numerous headachesPhoto Credit: TAP Chatham

By Ed Barmakian

PublishedFebruary 27, 2024 at 3:07 PM

CHATHAM, NJ -- A group of Lum Avenue residents made the short walk over to the municipal building on Monday night to petition the mayor and Borough of Chatham Council about the overflow parking problem caused by the employees of ECLC School that they say has escalated and become "unbearable."

The residents, who are part of the Central Borough Neighborhood Association, detailed the daily woes they have experienced over the past five years with cars blocking their driveways and making them late for work; idling cars in front of their driveways; all-day parking in front of their homes when the parking limit is two hours, and construction workers parking on lawns because of lack of parking spaces.

According to Andrew Zagoren, a Lum Avenue resident, the parking problems have continued to increase over the last three years. He spoke for the group during the public comment portion of regular meeting of the Borough of Chatham Council on Monday night (see below).

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Zagoren is the landlord of commercial property in Metuchen and noted that when it comes to tenants, the landlord has to know, "when to say no."

Janice Perrone, head of the Central Borough Neighborhood Association, spoke up for equal treatment for all Borough residents, noting that "...every street in the borough will be susceptible to this kind of all-day parking if the Borough allows for residential areas to be used as overflow parking lots." See her comments below.

Lum Avenue resident Tom Korkuch expressed his concerns for safety on the street with the low visibility caused by the number of cars parked on the street (see below).

Chatham Borough Mayor Carolyn Dempsey thanked the residents for coming to the meeting and acknowledged their frustration. She said that ECLC's needs have changed over the years with more one-on-one instruction. She said she has opened dialogue with ECLC administrators to resolve the problem (see her remarks below).

Chatham resident Michael Dean offered a solution for the overflow ECLC parking, noting that he counted 131 vacant spaces at 11:30 a.m. on Monday at the Chatham Train Station parking lot, which is located adjacent to ECLC School. Mayor Dempsey did not rule that out as a possible solution when asked about it after the meeting, although she said that the open spaces vary throughout the week.

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