Township Projects

Maple Grange Park

Description - Over the past several years, Vernon Township has worked diligently toward obtaining property for a new recreation facility. Now, after many years and many hurdles, the township has begun the first phase of construction of a new recreational facility, which is located on Maple Grange Road. The official ground breaking took place on Friday, June 17, 2005 at 10 a.m. Approximately $2 million is currently available for the development of the first phase of the project, which is to include two artificial turf fields, a great lawn area, and a Recreation Building. It is anticipated that additional fields and amenities will be added in future phases of development of the park. Depending on weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances, the first Phase is scheduled to use by late 2005.

Updates
September 20, 2007 - Phase II Construction Photo
June 27, 2007 - Phase II Master Plan map, currently out to bid (PDF)
June 27, 2007 - Phase II Update
October 23, 2005 - Official grand opening
June 17, 2005 - Groundbreaking
July 8, 2004 - Mayor Weiner's presentation
July 15, 2003

Town Center Developments

Description - The new Town Center Project, which encompasses the final phase of the construction of Main Street, the County's re-design of Route 515, and the construction of the new sewer system, is the achievement of a long-time dream and a major milestone in the history of Vernon Township. The Project is slated to begin at the beginning of July, 2005 and is expected to be close to completion by Spring 2006. It is expected that this project will help to move Vernon forward by creating a pedestrian friendly Town Center area and providing for new business opportunities.

Updates
June 27, 2007- Phase II update
May 31, 2007 - Main Street is opened to vehicular traffic
November 8, 2006 - Fly-through of Town Center at buildout (WMV)
November 8, 2006 - Draft of design standards (PDF)
January 11, 2006 - Road plans and Fire Department negotiations
July 8, 2005 - Main Street groundbreaking
October 26, 2004 - Planning Implementation Agenda
October 28, 2003 - Maser Consulting's presentation
October 9, 2003 - Announcement of Phase One commencement
January 17, 2003 - Letter from the Town Manger

Town Bike Path

Description - The bike path system has been designed so that it can be completed in phases. The first segment of the Township Bikeway Path which extends over 3 miles along Canal Road to Price's Switch Road and Meadowburn Road to Warwick, New York has been completed for the public to enjoy. The second segment is currently being designed to connect the bikeway path from the intersection of Canal Road and Maple Grange Road west along Maple Grange Road to the entrance of Maple Grange Community Park. The bikeway path travels through the newly constructed park facility, and the Sabre property to Vernon Crossing Road. This bikeway path will be completed as part of Phase I and II of the park facility. The third segment is now under concept review to connect from Maple Grange Road and then around the Serius Facility property and connected to Sand Hill Road and thereafter to the Black Creek Sanctuary.

Updates
June 27, 2007 - Update on funding and approvals
September 5, 2006 - Update and maps
September 27, 2005 - Phase Two contract awarded and moving forward
October 29, 2004 - Phase One completed
October 9, 2003 - Announcement of Phase One commencement

Town Center Wastewater System

Description - Vernon's Wastewater System project is in progress. The township has awarded a contract to Schenley Construction to install sewer lines in the Town Center, which consists of the area surrounding Route 94 and Route 515 . Commercial properties located in the Town Center area will have access to these sewer lines when they are completed and will no longer have to rely upon individual septic systems to accommodate their needs. This helps Vernon promote more concentrated growth in the town center, as well as set the groundwork for viable business opportunities as the town center begins to take shape over the coming years.

Updates
December 10, 2007 - Sewer Presentation (PDF)
September 20, 2007 - Pump Station Construction Photo
June 27, 2007 - Phase II Update
October 25, 2005 - Presentation from 10/24/05 Council Meeting (PDF)
October 25, 2005 - Agreement with Intrawest/Mountain Creek (PDF)
May 1, 2005 - Sewer Service Area (PDF)
March 9, 2005 - Status of Wastewater System financing FAQ
October 25, 2004 - Questions and answers
September 16 , 2004 - Facts on the project
Detailed overview

Route 94 Access Management Plan

Description - Access Management Plans provide for a comprehensive action plan to control and regulate the locations and number of access drives onto Route 94. This process helps to balance the need to preserve roadway mobility, safety, and operations in anticipation of the Mountain Creek Resort development plans and future land development along the Route 94 corridor.

Updates
April 13, 2007 - Plan Draft and Appendices (PDF)
March 27, 2006 - Summary
January 11, 2006 - Preliminary conclusions
June 30, 2005 - Update on evaluations
October 13 , 2004 - Plan and study overview

Route 515 Reconstruction

Description - The County of Sussex has awarded a contract for the reconstruction of Route 515, from the intersection of Route 94 to a point several hundred feet south of the A&P. The work generally consists of pavement removal and replacement, road widening, new curbing, new storm sewers, a detention basin, and site restoration. The work is expected to commence in August, 2007. The time allotted for construction is 12 months, although work may be finished earlier.

Updates
November 8, 2007 - Map of detour around southbound lane. (PDF)
November 8, 2007 - Phase II traffic pattern description. (PDF)
July 27, 2007 - Maps of Plan I, Plan II, and Plan III. (PDF)

Route 94 / Sand Hill Rd Intersection Improvements

Description - Current accident data reveals that the actual crash rate is four times greater than the state wide crash rate for this type of cross section. A new traffic signal will be installed and turn lanes on Route 94 at the intersection with Sand Hill Road will be designated. Improvement of the under-clearance problems under the Pedestrian Bridge will also be addressed.

Updates
November 1, 2006 - Update on projects affecting Rt 94 Corridor
October 16, 2006 - Map
October 16, 2006 - FAQ

Black Creek Watershed Protection & Restoration Plan Grant

Description - A NJDEP grant was awarded to Vernon Township to develop a plan to protect the Black Creek Watershed. The project also includes the preparation of a “Regional Stormwater Management Plan (RSWMP)”. The grant is designed to reduce the amount of non-point source pollutants that are currently being transported into the waterways by stormwater runoff. Fecal Coliform bacteria, potentially of animal origins, is a major contributor of the pollutant load in the watershed. The consulting firm GSE, LLC (GSE) of Branchburg, NJ is assisting Vernon Township with the grant. In accordance with the grant proposal, GSE will be conducting field surveys, GIS mapping work, and sampling the streams to characterize the watershed. Quarterly public meetings will be held to provide project updates and educate the audience on protecting the environment. This plan will develop methods to implement that will reduce pollutants in the srormwater runoff. Once the plan is developed, a grant application will be submitted to the NJDEP to help in putting the plan into action.

Updates
May 22, 2006 - Third Quarter Meeting Presentation (PDF)
March 1, 2006 - Second Quarter Meeting Presentation (PDF)
January 1, 2006 - Quarter meeting two invitation (PDF)
November 10, 2005 - Overview, including map and links

Agendas and Minutes
October 3, 2005 - Minutes (PDF)

External Links
NJDEP - What’s a Watershed? Brochure (PDF)

Redevelopment Plan

Description - Under Chapter 12A of the NJ Redevelopment and Housing Law, a municipality is given the authority to establish a Redevelopment Plan within their community. At this time, the Township is simply investigating the issue in order to determine if we wish to proceed with such a plan. In simple terms, a Redevelopment Plan is essentially a “tool” that a municipality can utilize which allows them the authority to designate an area in need of redevelopment or rehabilitation and then set forth a plan to redevelop that area under very specific terms and specifications set forth in an Ordinance adopted by the Governing Body.

Updates
April 27, 2007 - Draft Resolution referring the McAfee Village Redevelopment Plan to the Planning Board (PDF)
April 27, 2007 - Draft Resolution referring the Town Center Redevelopment Plan to the Planning Board (PDF)
April 27, 2007 - Revised Draft McAfee Village Redevelopment Plan Ordinance to be presented at 4/30 Township Council Special Meeting (PDF)
March 23, 2007 - Township Center Redevelopment Plan Ordinance presented at 3/23 Township Council Meeting (PDF)
March 23, 2007 - McAfee Village Redevelopment Plan Ordinance presented at 3/23 Township Council Meeting (PDF)
June 5, 2006 - April 25th Redevelopment Report, with links to supplemental tables, maps, and photographs (PDF)
Detailed definition