New Jersey
Experts tout success of transforming suburban New Jersey neighborhood back to natural state for flood resiliency initiative
WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP, N.J. — When hardening our shorelines towards extra risky storms, one answer doesn’t match all.
In some instances, returning developed land to nature makes essentially the most sense. Dwelling proof exists in New Jersey.
For the previous six years, Dr. Brooke Maslo, affiliate professor of ecology, evolution and pure sources at Rutgers College, labored in partnership with Woodbridge Township to rework about 30 acres within the Watson-Crampton neighborhood from suburban again to its pure state.
Earlier than and after pictures reveal a pointy distinction. Earlier than, Watson Avenue was lined with house after house. After, no properties, no street and a pink warning barrier added for security.
The neighborhood sits alongside the Woodbridge River, and Superstorm Sandy destroyed a lot of it.
“Publish-Superstorm Sandy, we have purchased out 170 properties. That is 171,” mentioned Thomas C. Flynn, flood plain administrator for Woodbridge Township.
The township used New Jersey’s Blue Acres buy-out cash, Flynn defined. Most properties there have been constructed within the Twenties.
“They have been constructed earlier than city’s first flood insurance coverage charge map was even developed,” Flynn informed CBS2’s Vanessa Murdock.
The land will develop into a part of the flood resiliency initiative.
The initiative’s three foremost targets, Maslo defined, are “getting individuals out of hurt’s means. The second factor was bettering ecological operate relative to issues like flood capability, flood mitigation” and at last, “remodeling this beforehand developed panorama again right into a public asset.”
Embedded inside the native habitat is a 1-mile loop path for all to get pleasure from with indicators to look out for wildlife.
Mayor John McCormac says this transformation works.
“In Ida and different storms, nothing occurred down right here. It labored precisely prefer it’s presupposed to,” he mentioned.
“This undertaking is completely a hit, and never solely is it a hit right here, however it’s a mannequin for what to do elsewhere in New Jersey,” Maslo mentioned.
A nature-based answer to shoring up our shoreline.
The Watson-Crampton undertaking is an element of a bigger one in Woodbridge Township aimed toward restoring 186 acres.
New Jersey
FBI seeks public's help after reports of drones flying around Morris County, New Jersey
MORRIS COUNTY, New jersey (WABC) — The FBI and New Jersey State Police are now asking for any public information after reports of drones seen flying around Morris County last week.
The drones were reported flying in several areas along the Raritan River over several weeks.
The nightly drone sightings in central New Jersey involved larger-than-hobbyist type drones and raised questions because of their proximity to both a military installation and President-elect Trump’s Bedminster golf course.
Witnesses had spotted the cluster of what looked to be drones and a possible fixed wing aircraft.
The FAA has imposed drone flight restrictions while authorities investigate.
Local police have said there is no known threat to public safety.
“Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon would like to inform everyone that the recent drone activity observed by many in our communities is being actively investigated. There is no advisable immediate danger to the public at this time,” Morris County Sheriff’s Office said.
Anyone with information about the drones is encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit it online at tips.fbi.gov.
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New Jersey
NJ lawyer thrown out of town council meeting for waving American flag to protest new ban
A New Jersey lawyer was tossed out of a town council meeting by cops last week for waving an American flag to protest a “stupid” new rule that bans so-called “props” from being used during the meetings.
Joel Bassoff, a local resident and attorney, was ordered to be removed from the Edison Township Council meeting after he pulled out the star-spangled banner while addressing council members on Nov. 25, footage obtained by New Brunswick Today shows.
Bassoff was among the slew of furious locals who were voicing their objections over the township’s new ordinance that prohibits them from using any props — including the flag and even the US Constitution — during the public comment section of town meetings.
“I’m holding up an American flag to represent the constitutional values,” Bassoff said during the meeting as Council President Nishith Patel banged his gavel to give him an official warning.
“It’s my constitutional right to do this,” the lawyer continued. “If you get sued, you will lose. My suggestion to you is that you get a second opinion from competent counsel because you are wrong.”
“You are interfering with the decorum of this meeting by interfering with the right to speech of a member of the public. And it should stop now,” Bassoff raged as other residents cheered in support.
Seconds later, two cops approached Bassoff as the council president called for him to be removed from the chambers.
One resident could be heard shouting “Shame on you” as Bassoff agreed to step away from the podium.
After the lawyer tried to take his seat again, the council president ordered cops to toss him out altogether.
Earlier in the meeting, another resident was also removed from the proceedings after holding up the US Constitution.
“To consider the American flag and the Constitution a prop when someone raises it is an insult to what the flag is, what the flag stands for and what this country is,” another resident, Maryann Hennessey, told council members.
“For you to consider the use of the American flag a prop is disgusting.”
The apparent prop ban, Ordinance 2239, was recently enacted in a bid to establish rules that maintain decorum at the township’s often raucous meetings.
While the rule doesn’t specifically ban the American flag or constitution, the council president argued to residents during the meeting that such items would be “considered not conducive to good order.”
In addition to banning any props, the ordinance also now limits the amount of time residents have to address the body.
New Jersey
New Jersey's gas tax climbing by nearly 3 cents starting New Year's Day
Filling up your vehicle’s gas tank in New Jersey will cost an extra 2.6 cents a gallon starting on New Year’s Day.
Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration said Monday the state’s gas tax will climb about 6% to 44.9 cents a gallon.
The change stems from a review required under a new law to support the state’s fund for transportation infrastructure through 2029. State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio said that in order to hit a statutory target of about $2 billion, the law requires the tax on petroleum products be adjusted to meet the revenue requirement.
The increase would keep New Jersey among the top 10 or so states with the highest tax on gasoline in the country, according to nonprofit Tax Foundation.
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