Words From Community Leaders: Rep. Sherrill’s 2023 Community Projects Federally Funded and Moving Forward

Parsippany, NJ – RealEstateRama – Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) secured funding for fourteen Community Projects she submitted on behalf of NJ-11 in the House Appropriations Committee Fiscal Year 2023 bill, which was signed into law in December.

Community Projects are submitted by state or local governments, government-adjacent organizations, and nonprofits. Ranging from townships, counties, hospitals, and community service organizations, each of these fourteen projects will improve the lives of residents throughout NJ-11. The 14 projects include:

• Boonton Reservoir Improvement Project
• Borough of Madison Affordable Housing Development
• Chatham Police Department Public Safety Information Sharing Technology Improvement Project
• Collinsville-Tucker Park Improvement Project (Morris Township)
• Community EMS Physician Response Expansion Initiative at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
• Family Promise of Morris County’s Housing is Healthcare for Economic Development Project
• JSDD: Life | Home | Tech Project (Essex and Morris County)
• McBride Avenue Roundabout Project (Woodland Park)
• Morristown Medical Center Emergency Department Renovation and Expansion Project
• Pump Station No. 4 Sanitary Sewer Redirection Project (Parsippany)
• Rand Well PFOAS and Perchlorate Treatment (Montclair)
• Student Scholarships to Offset the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic at William Paterson University
• Whippany River Regional Improvement Initiative (Hanover Township, East Hanover, Parsippany, and Florham Park)
• Whippany River Watershed Flood Risk Reduction Feasibility Study (Morris County)

To read more about each project, click here. Below are statements from the sponsors of each of these projects outlining the impact of their project.

Boonton Reservoir Improvement Project

“The Morris County Park Commission is pleased to be part of a recreation initiative that is supported by Federal, State, County, and municipal governments and spearheaded by project leader, the Open Space Institute, that will provide increased recreational opportunity to New Jersey residents and visitors. Supporting federal funding for this project furthers Congresswoman Sherrill’s commitment to parks, recreation and protection of our natural resources,” said David Helmer, Executive Director, Morris County Park Commission.

“The Town of Boonton is proud to have partnered with Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, OSI, as well as the Morris County Park Commission on the Boonton Reservoir Protection and Trail Project. This new outdoor recreation space will be a potential windfall for the town, making Boonton a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. We are grateful for the Congresswoman’s commitment to protecting our natural resources and her dedication to keeping Morris County an incredible place to work, play, and live,” said Town of Boonton Mayor Rich Corcoran.

“OSI is proud of the leading role we took in structuring the long-desired agreement between Jersey City and Morris County and in creating the property management plan and formal design for the Boonton Reservoir Protection and Trail Project. We applaud Representative Mikie Sherrill’s recent actions to secure funding toward the completion of the project and appreciate the Morris County Park Commission’s ongoing commitment to realizing the promise of this new outdoor, recreational space for area residents and visitors,” said Kim Elliman, president and CEO of the Open Space Institute. “Once completed, this ambitious, but attainable project will provide safe and managed trail access to the site, while also securing the source of clean drinking water for almost 320,000 people.”

Borough of Madison Affordable Housing Development

“Thanks to Congresswoman Sherrill, Madison will be able to construct one of the first ‘net zero energy’ affordable housing developments in New Jersey – including solar units, energy efficient appliances, electric heat pumps, enhanced insulation, and triple pane windows. This funding not only allows for a greener Madison, but it also allows for 44 new homes for deserving families, while helping us meet our affordable housing obligations,” said Madison Mayor Robert H. Conley. 

Chatham Police Department Public Safety Information Sharing Technology Improvement Project

“Chatham Township has been fortunate enough to have been considered to receive Federal funds through the FY23 Community Projects Grant. This award will enable the Township to modernize our communication infrastructure to support our existing and proposed police technologies. This grant will allow for the installation of a fiber optic network that will support our ALPR technologies, which will assist us, as well as other Law Enforcement partners, in combating the current car theft trends as well as aiding us in the investigation of other crimes,” said Chatham Township Police Chief Thomas Miller. 

“In today’s environment, information technology has become critical infrastructure for government, especially law enforcement. However, the prohibitive cost of deploying state of the art systems can adversely affect our ability to respond to crime, react to emergencies, and communicate effectively. Thanks to this grant, Chatham Township will be better equipped to tackle these challenges in the near future and for many years to come,” said Chatham Township Mayor Ashley Felice.

Collinsville-Tucker Park Improvement Project

“Thanks to the hard work of Congresswoman Sherrill, Morris Township has a once-in-a-generation moment to revitalize the Collinsville Playground and return it to its place as the center of the community. This community project funding, coupled with funds from the American Rescue Plan, will provide a total of one million in federal dollars for Morris Township to work with our residents to create a new vision for Collinsville by building a modernized recreational facility that they will enjoy for decades to come,” said Morris Township Mayor Mark Gyorfy.

Community EMS Physician Response (CEMSP) Expansion Initiative

“We are grateful to Congresswoman Sherrill for championing RWJBarnabas Health’s Community EMS Physician Response Expansion Initiative and including it among the community projects receiving support through the upcoming federal budget,” said Mark E. Manigan, President and Chief Executive Officer at RWJBarnabas Health. “The initiative, which was developed by studying care concepts from the U.S. military’s engagement in Afghanistan and Iraq, will enhance our current emergency medical services response framework. Our innovative approach will integrate the use of physicians where they are needed most – at scenes of trauma, mass casualty incidents, and scenes of emergencies – to deliver hospital-level resources that improve access to life-saving care for New Jersey residents.”

Family Promise of Morris County’s Housing is Healthcare for Economic Development Project

“Family Promise is addressing the intersection of housing and healthcare by working with local community and health care partners across systems. Our agency recognizes that safe, stable, and affordable housing is key to ensuring long-term stability in a variety of areas, including one’s health and economic wellbeing. Ultimately, addressing health concerns helps ensure stable housing and stable housing helps maintain good health. We are incredibly grateful for Congresswoman Sherrill’s support of this critical project,” said Family Promise CEO Joann Bjornson, LSW. 

JSDD: Life | Home | Tech

“JSDD is grateful to Congresswoman Sherrill for the opportunity to implement a program through the FY23 Community Projects that has the potential to be a model for others who serve the needs of men and women with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the state of NJ. JSDD’s Life-Home-Tech program will allow adults to live more independently in their own home or in their family’s home using available and evolving technology and rely less on in-person staff support. This project benefits the men and women we serve by maximizing their potential to achieve greater autonomy in a safe environment. Additionally, it addresses the staffing crisis that has impacted the ability of the State of NJ network of provider agencies to expand services to meet the increasing demand for supervised, supportive housing,” said Linda Press, Executive Director of JSDD. “Thank you, Congresswoman Sherrill, for recognizing this as a critical need, for your service, dedication, and commitment to all people living in NJ.”

“Our entire Jewish community is grateful for Congresswoman Sherrill’s successful efforts to support our Jewish Service for the Developmentally Disabled,” said Dov Ben-Shimon, Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest, the largest Jewish nonprofit in New Jersey. “Her successful championing of the technology needs of residential group homes, day care, and private residential care facilities, will improve the lives of many in our community, with greater independence and accessibility.”

McBride Avenue Roundabout Project

“The Passaic County Board of County Commissioners would like to thank Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill for her support in the McBride Avenue Roundabout Project in Passaic County. With the funding support of $1.2 million, the County will be able to complete its project goal of constructing a mini-roundabout at an intersection of two heavily used county roads connecting to both US 46 and I-80. The implementation of this round-about will provide safer and easier transportation access to drivers,” said Passaic County Commissioner Director Pat Lepore.

“The McBride Avenue Roundabout project will create a safer intersection, provide better access to our business district, and eliminate cut through traffic in the Dowling Estates neighborhood.  We are incredibly grateful to Congresswoman Sherrill for her tireless support of this project which will be a significant improvement to our quality of life in Woodland Park,” said Woodland Park Mayor Keith Kazmark.

Morristown Medical Center Emergency Department Renovation and Expansion Project

“Our incredible team of physicians, nurses, and caregivers are dedicated to providing extraordinary care to the hundreds of people who come through the doors of Morristown Medical Center’s emergency department every day,” said Trish O’Keefe, PHD, RN, President, Morristown Medical Center and Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive, Atlantic Health System.“Thanks to the incredible support provided by elected leaders like Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the technological and physical advancements to our Level 1 ACS Trauma Center will help ensure we are better able to continue caring for our entire community for years to come.”

Pump Station No. 4 Sanitary Sewer Redirection Project

“The grant funds we are receiving will play a critical role in supporting our efforts to improve wastewater collection, mitigate the risk of flooding, and strengthen the local infrastructure in our community. I will continue pushing forward projects that will dramatically improve the quality of life for Parsippany residents, and I am extremely thankful to our federal elected officials and all project stakeholders for making this grant award possible,” said Parsippany Mayor James Barberio.

Rand Well PFOAS and Perchlorate Treatment 

“Communities across New Jersey have been confronted with water infrastructure challenges including the presence of emerging contaminants such as PFOAS. In Montclair, we’ve made investing in our infrastructure a priority, but to meet our goals, partnership from all levels of government is crucial,” said Montclair Mayor Sean M. Spiller. “Congresswoman Sherrill has been an ally in bringing federal dollars back to Montclair, including this $2 million investment in rehabilitating the Rand Well that will help us ensure that we can provide clean water now and for future generations.”

Student Scholarships to Offset the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“Rep. Sherrill has always been a strong ally for New Jersey’s public colleges and universities and for our students,” said William Paterson University President Richard J. Helldobler. “We are grateful for her long record of support, including her recent work in securing $1 million in critical assistance for students who continue to be financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. By allowing more students to remain in college and ultimately attain their degree, these funds are a significant investment in the future of these students and in New Jersey.”

Whippany River Regional Improvement Initiative

“When the water rises and now too often when flooding occurs, it affects our homes, our businesses, and our infrastructure because it does not recognize municipal boundaries or political parties – and neither should we. I am proud of our collaboration to mitigate those issues,” said Hanover Township Mayor Thomas “Ace” Gallagher.

“It is great that the four municipalities are getting together and will be forming a joint resolution for shared services. We are looking forward to making headway on this project,” said Florham Park Borough Mayor Mark Taylor.

“We thank Congresswoman Sherrill for her support in obtaining the necessary funding to start this especially important project. Our coalition of communities is strong and we are all committed to help alleviate the flooding in the region as best we can. We hope for continued support from Congresswoman Sherrill in the future as we will need significantly more funding to complete the job as we move along over the next few years,” said East Hanover Township Mayor Joseph Pannullo.

Whippany River Watershed Flood Risk Reduction Feasibility Study

“In recent years the deterioration of the banks of the Whippany River has led to significant increases in flooding around Morristown. Our community has certainly felt the impact of this dangerous and hazardous flooding. I am thrilled that funding has been secured to mitigate future damage and am confident that these efforts to improve the Whippany River will bring about significant change. On behalf of the entire Morristown community, I would like to thank Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill for fighting for these community projects that will have a lasting impact on our town for many years to come,” said Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty. 

“We are excited that this study will finally move forward and we are most appreciative of our Congresswoman’s commitment to this important issue. Our church has been located in this flood plain since 1874 and we have waited patiently for something to be done. In 2011, after Hurricane Irene, we made a renewed effort to have a flood water mitigation strategy implemented. We believe this new study will open the doors for hard working residents in search of affordable housing,” said Bethel Church of Morristown Pastor Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams. 

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