HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy in Vernon Center, NJ

Bruce A. Scruton

VERNON — The township has received a $3.4 million federal grant to expand sewer service in the business area and along Route 94, a move which will attract businesses and allow existing homes to connect.

The move, announced jointly last week by Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5, Mayor Howard Burrell and other town officials, will cut the cost of developing properties already zoned for business, and provide access for homeowners in the area who have private septic systems which are nearing the end of useful life and will need replacing.

Burrell noted that the increased availability of septic sewers will also improve water quality. The western half of town overlooks the Wallkill River valley which includes the Wallkill River Wildlife Refuge, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

About half of the town's designated Town Center area along Route 94 already has sewer service, with this grant funding bring sewer mains and laterals to the remainder of the area already designated as a sewer service area by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

More local coverage:Sussex towns get $1.3M grant for upgrade to 911 systems to meet coming standards

The new lines will move south on Route 94 toward Mott Drive. The town has applied to the DEP to designate areas north and south of Town Center as sewer service areas and this project will provide capacity for those areas to be served in the future.

The $3.4 million-plus grant will bring sewer service to all areas within the sewer service area (town center) which are not currently served by sewer. That area moves along Route 94 south towards Mott Drive and northward beyond the intersection of Route 95 and County Route 515. This Town Center area includes both residential and commercial properties, some of which are vacant and/or undeveloped due to lack of utilities.

"Vernon will now be an even more attractive location for businesses of all sizes to call home, which will make life better for our residents and increase the town’s revenue — helping ease the property tax burden off of families," said Gottheimer.

Both the mayor and congressman noted that commercial development is held back because of the expense of installing private septic systems which not only have routine maintenance expenses, but will need to be replaced at some point in the future.

The existing sewer service flows to a pump station at the end of Black Creek Drive. From there, sewage is pumped to the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority treatment plant in Hamburg.

Gottheimer also mentioned the environmental benefits as well as economic advantages. "Home values will likely increase after being connected to sewers," he said.

From a business standpoint, the cost to develop a property with a simple sewer hook-up is much less than designing, building and maintaining an on-site septic system.

With more attractive commercial development also comes increased commercial property tax income, which offsets the need for increases in residential property taxes.

There is also the increase in job opportunities and local retail outlets, both Burrell and Gottheimer noted.

Engineering work has already begun on the project to install the lines which will bring service to at least 75 properties.

The project also is designed to accommodate other areas outside the Town Center where Vernon has asked the state to designate as sewer service areas. If granted, as many as 500 residential properties will be able to connect to sanitary sewers, abandoning septic systems.

The proposed additional sewer service areas would stretch to the north along Route 94 toward the New York, and southward toward the McAfee section of the township.

Burrell said the lack of sewers had been "the only hinderance" to expansion and Vernon is now in position to see a growth in commercial use in the Town Center.

There are already visible indications the start of sewer construction is spurring development. At the intersection of Black Creek Drive and Route 94, near realty company "For Sale" signs, surveyor ribbons line up along property lines and potential driveways.

In addition to the congressman's help, the mayor thanked the Vernon Township Council and the Commissioners of the Vernon Township Municipal Utilities Authority for their very strong support of our municipality’s application for this funding."

After the ceremony, Burrell said the federal grant really is a team effort of federal, county and local officials and, looking at the future, he said, "and we aren't done yet."

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — The nation’s first open-air mall — the Cross County Center — will host two special events in March to help us enjoy the unseasonably warm weather and the approaching spring season.

Back by popular demand, Flip Circus will perform circus shows daily from March 3-20. Amazing acts include acrobatics, aerial and trapeze, clowns, jugglers, motorcycle globe, magic and more!

The big top tent will be located in the north parking lot, across from Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Monday - Friday, 7:30pm and 1, 4 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. To purchase tickets, click here. (TIP: There is a $10 discount for purchasing tickets online instead of at the box office.)

Then the Easter Bunny will return to the iconic outdoor shopping destination for photos with families, creating memorable moments that last a lifetime! Photo ops with the Easter Bunny begin March 24 and continue through April 8. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday - Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. Visitors are encouraged to dress in their Sunday best for photos with the lovable bunny! Reservations are recommended. For more information and reservations, please visit www.crosscountycenter.com.

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When we spoke to retired school counselor Kerri Yezuit two years ago, she was tackling her second Dry January. She first took on the trendy New Year’s resolution to cut alcohol for the month after hearing it on the news. Like others, she felt her drinking had increased during the pandemic; she saw the challenge as an opportunity.

“For me, I’m just doing an evaluation of what my relationship is with alcohol,” she said back in 2022. “Is it a bad habit? Is it something I use to reward myself? Is it something I use to suppress uncomfortable feelings?”

Fast forward to 2024, and Yezuit is back at it again. “And you know, I am drinking less than that initial experiment – or experience – with Dry January,” said Yezuit.

She now regularly adds “Dry July’’ and “Sober October” into her rotation as well.

She said that improved sleep is always one of the biggest and most immediate benefits she feels during the month.

Colleen Kelly, too, has noticed improved sleep. She and her husband started doing Dry January long before it went mainstream; more than ten years ago, they inadvertently cut booze for a month as part of an elimination diet they were doing together. The Warwick, N.Y., couple found that eliminating alcohol was the toughest – so they continued to take on Dry January ever since.

“You have more energy, you sleep better,” said Kelly. “And in general, it’s just to kind of reset.”

Sandyston, N.J., resident Stacy Dale, meanwhile, is tackling the challenge for the first time this year with hopes that it will lead to weight loss and an overall healthier lifestyle.

But is cutting a month of booze enough to actually enhance your mental or physical health?

Better sleep, better diet

“When it comes to Dry January, absolutely it has benefits,” said Erin Palinski-Wade, registered dietitian and founder of Vernon Center for Nutrition and Wellness in Franklin, N.J. “All of us can benefit from less alcohol because alcohol doesn’t have a large amount of health benefits.”

Palinski-Wade confirmed that Dry January participants will find improved sleep – and that it has a snowball effect. With less sleep comes less energy and higher stress levels, she said. That, in turn, leads to “changes in our appetite and satiety hormones, so we actually feel hungrier and we crave more fat and simple sugars,” explained Palinski-Wade. “So when we cut out the alcohol and abstain from it in the evening, you’ve seen improvement the next day – not just in your energy from better sleep, but you handle stress better, usually you’re not quite as hungry, you’re more likely to be physically active.”

Better sleep, a healthier diet and more energy because of it “leads to things like weight loss and improvements in blood sugar and blood pressure,” she said.

Studies show there are more benefits beyond diet and sleep. According to a 2019 study by the University of Sussex, Dry January participants were still drinking less six months later, and:

● 87% had a sense of achievement

● 80% felt more in control of their drinking

● 84% saved money

● 72% slept better

Mocktails and hobbies

For those in the throes of Dry January this year, or who may be considering taking an extended break from alcohol in the future, health professionals recommend looking at how and why you drink, and finding something else to fill that space.

“Don’t drink – then what?” posed Bob DeYoung, a licensed behavioral health counselor based out of Milford, Pa. “All right, let’s exercise. Or, let me replace this with fill-in-the-blank, whatever it is; I’m going to learn a new language, I’m going to eat better.”

He said by the time January’s up, participants find themselves saying: “Wow, it’s been a whole month now, I haven’t drank alcohol, I’m starting to hablo español! Or I started working out, and I like this – this feels better.”

This year, Yezuit made a list of healthy habits to fill her days. “I need to tap into my creativity and have fun,” she said.

Exercise, taking walks in the woods, listening to music, dancing, journaling, sewing, cooking, meditation and even filling the pages of her coloring book are on her list of things-to-do.

If you generally unwind in the evening with a nightcap, Palenski-Wade, the dietitian, recommends finding a relaxing activity in the evening, such as yoga or reading a book. Some of her clients like to replace the habit with mocktails, mixing tart cherry juice and seltzer in a wine glass; it looks like red wine, and it’s a little tart like red wine. Plus, tart cherry juice contains both melatonin and tryptophan, which makes the mocktail a sleep aid instead of a deterrent.

Non-drinking buddies

Local professionals also say there is strength in numbers when it comes to Dry January. “One thing that helps people is if they partner up with a friend...or even a whole group,” said Michelle Wolf, executive director of the Center for Prevention and Counseling in Newton, N.J. “Even with adults, there’s peer pressure.”

Yezuit has been known to order a non-alcoholic beer on the sly during Dry January.

Up until this year, the Kellys avoided social January outings to avoid alcohol. Normally they hunker down, cut the booze and spend the month cooking healthy meals together at home.

This time around, “we do have some gatherings that we’re attending and it’ll be really interesting to go and not drink,” said Colleen Kelly. “I really want to start to incorporate a social life and not have the need to have alcohol with the social aspect of it.”

Even small amounts of alcohol can affect one’s sleep.

According to a 2018 study, those who consumed fewer than two drinks per day experienced a decreased sleep quality by 9%. Moderate drinkers, classified as two drinks for men, and one drink for women, saw a 24% decrease in quality of sleep. And for those who drank more – over one serving for women and over two servings for men – quality of sleep decreased by over 39%.

What does a healthy relationship with alcohol look like?

Many Dry January participants use the month as an opportunity to take a mindful look at their drinking habits. But what is a “healthy relationship” with alcohol, really?

Dr. Bob DeYoung, of The Family Center for Behavioral Health in Milford, Pa., said there’s nothing wrong with being a social drinker. But as with any habit, there are three things to look out for:

1. Loss of control

2. Negative physical/occupational/social effects

3. Prioritizing the habit

“Those are the three things that define addiction: whether its alcohol or drugs or sex or food or gambling. Whatever it is,” said DeYoung.

So long as drinking isn’t prioritized, you can control your drinking, and it isn’t affecting you, your occupation or your relationships negatively, then “it’s a healthy social habit.”

No one has a crystal ball to see what New Jersey will look like 80 years from now, but one study suggests that dozens of places could turn into virtual ghost towns by the turn of the century.

A study conducted by experts at the University of Illinois Chicago found that 15,000 cities nationwide will see significant population drops by the year 2100, including 36 in New Jersey that could see populations drop by at least one-third. The study, and the possibility for “ghost towns,” was first reported by Scientific American.

Belleplain, a Census-designated place within Dennis Township in Cape May County, could see the steepest population decline. The current 614 residents in the 7.4-square mile area could decline by nearly half by 2100, the study says.

On the other end of the spectrum, 47 New Jersey towns could see populations increase by more than 50%.

Union City in Hudson County topped the list with a projected 65.1% increase to nearly 114,000 residents. Newark, currently the state’s most populous city, is expected to remain in the top spot by 2100 with a 44.5% increase.

The study used population data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau from 2000 and 2020 to identify current population trends. They then ran those projections through five different possible futures, each with a different level of climate change impact. The authors used the middle-of-the-road scenario to present their findings. They also factored in income level, vehicle ownership, and how city-like a town was.

The areas used by researchers are a combination of municipalities and Census designated places, accounting for 702 unique areas in New Jersey, many more commonly referred to by local names rather than incorporated municipalities.

These 16 New Jersey locations could see population declines of more than 40% by 2100:

It’s hard to say how exactly population shifts will impact areas around the county, but changes could be seen in all facets of daily life.

“The implications of this massive decline in population will bring unprecedented challenges, possibly leading to disruptions in basic services like transit, clean water, electricity and internet access,” the study authors wrote in the paper. “Simultaneously, increasing population trends in resource-intensive suburban and periurban cities will probably take away access to much needed resources in depopulating areas, further exacerbating their challenges.”

Experts who spoke to Scientific American warned that the projection is not written in stone, and a lot could change in the next 80 years. One went so far as to call specific population projections made this early “pretty reckless,” despite having solid methodology.

Curious to see what the future might hold for your neighborhood? Use the chart below. Make sure to search both the name of your town, and any other local names used for your area, as Census Designated Places tend to reflect smaller sections of larger towns.

Can’t see the chart? Click here.

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Vernon's lawsuit accusing the Sussex County Municipal Utilities Authority of overcharges for sewer services for more than a decade was dismissed.

Superior Court Judge William McGovern dismissed the lawsuit filed earlier this year, "with prejudice," but Vernon has 45 days to appeal it.

The judge ruled the time limit to object to the fees charged by SCMUA expired 20 days after the original bond issue was proposed in 2008.

At that time, Vernon sought to join the county's municipal sewer system at it looked at development in the town center, which included the Mountain Creek resort complex. That system had a treatment plant just south of Hamburg Borough which discharges into the Wallkill River.

The town and county's municipal utilities authority worked to expand the sewer service into Vernon's town center. The town at that time created the Vernon Municipal Utilities Authority to be the formal bill collector. The two sides also settled on how much the sewer system would handle and set a fee schedule that included a minimum annual flow.

However, over the years, there was little development and the existing businesses and residences did not produce enough to meet that minimum flow, but the Sussex County authority continued to charge the minimum rate.

In its lawsuit, Vernon accused the county authority of overcharging for sewer services and intentionally misrepresented flow rates for the entire system served by the Wallkill facility.

The lawsuit also included the Vernon Township MUA as a co-plaintiff. As part of his decision, McGovern noted the Vernon authority had no standing to be a party to the suit as it was not a party to the original agreement.

And while Vernon paid more per gallon than any other participant, except Wantage, in most years. the judge also wrote: "It is also undisputed that Vernon contractually agreed in its Service Contract with SCMUA to an AMF of 461,000 gallons per day – more than any other participant."

The judge also wrote: "Vernon views the Service Contract with SCMUA to have been, in retrospect, 'a bad deal,' and now asks this Court to cancel the contract, through the guise of rescission, and make a better deal, and write a better contract for Vernon than that which Vernon previously reviewed, approved, and executed."

Near the end of his 24-page decision, McGovern concluded that "intervening circumstances or economic conditions have now rendered those terms unattractive to Vernon" but, according to the state's laws, there is "no basis for the Court to intervene, or to write a better contract for the parties."

Thomas Prol, who represented the county authority said he had no comment and agreed with the judge's written decision.

Sussex County was also a named defendant in the case since the county backs the bonds issued for the SCMUA expansion of sewer services.

Neither Brian Tipton, who represented the county, nor Joshua Zielinski, who represented SCMUA, returned messages asking for comment.