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Here at Denville Medical, our commitment is to you and your health. We are committed to improving your quality of life by effective treatment and therapy, catered specifically to your needs. Unlike some of our competition, we take a team approach to your treatment plan working together as a unit to provide the best possible care for our patients.
It's easy to start your healing journey at Denville Medical. It all starts when you contact our office to make an appointment. From there, we set you on a course to recovery through a three-step process:
Meet the Doctor: During your initial doctor consultation, we will talk at length about what challenges you're currently facing. From there, we will speak about your goals and what you want to accomplish together. The first conversation with your doctor is crucial and lays the groundwork for a life-changing experience at Denville Medical.
Craft a Customized Treatment Plan for Your Recovery: Some medical and rehabilitation centers in New Jersey apply the same treatments to all patients, regardless of their needs and goals. At Denville Medical, we don't subscribe to the "one size fits all" model. Instead, we rely on our seasoned team of doctors and physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists and specialists to find the right solution to your unique situation.
Start Feeling the Relief: Our hard work and commitment to recovery will pay off through our personalized work together. With the help of our skilled doctors and chiropractors, you can finally start living the life you want to live - all on your own terms.
At Denville Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center, we are proud to provide holistic and wellness care that changes lives. Whether your body needs Chiropractor, physical therapy, acupuncture, or needs to see a specialist, we can help.
Here are just a few of the customized therapy services we offer to help our patients live with passion and confidence:
At Denville Medical, your licensed physical therapist's goal is to maximize your body's structure and increase its overall function for long-term health. To accomplish this, our physical therapists combine traditional and innovative techniques focused on increasing muscle strength and improving the body's range of motion. Our goal is to discover the root cause of your pain or mobility problems. That way, we can address the true reason why you need physical therapy, and work towards achieving long-lasting relief.
Of course, we understand that every patient is different. Your doctor can provide expert care in an encouraging environment by creating a customized treatment plan for you using modern, evidence-based research.
Chiropractor is a common service offered at Denville Medical, often combined with our physical therapy, sports medicine, and acupuncture treatments. When delivering a whole wellness and body approach, chiropractic treatments generally focus on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Our chiropractor's primary focus is to aid in adjusting your body's proper structure by improving nerve function and removing imbalances.
Our goal is to work together as a team to get you maximum medical improvement. To determine which chiropractic techniques and treatments are suitable for you, our chiropractors will conduct an initial evaluation to dig deep into your medical history, previous treatments, diagnostic tests, and current conditions. During your first consultation, be sure to ask any questions you may have. Once we agree on your customized chiropractic program, we will begin treatment as soon as possible.
Our patients typically feel relief during their initial visit. Although a reduction in pain is not an indication that the condition is gone, relief is the first step. As the chiropractor adjusts and manipulates your spine and joints, many feel a sense of relief as circulation is restored. A number of our patients admit to experiencing an increased range of motion after their first visit and increased function as they continue their care.
A single migraine can ruin your entire day. Migraines stem from irregular muscle contractions in the neck and head area. Anything from loud music to a bright computer screen can trigger these painful headaches. Fortunately, your chiropractor may be able to help provide an escape from the pain without surgery or drugs. Migraine symptoms include:
After speaking with your Doctor of Chiropractic, he or she may recommend treatments like trigger point therapy, which is a neuromuscular massage. Trigger point therapy boosts blood flow and releases pressure from compressed nerves in your body.
Whether you work in an office 40 hours a week or have to lift heavy items in a warehouse, neck pain is common across all people and professions. Neck pain is debilitating and can be caused by a range of issues like poor posture, work injuries, and harmful sleeping positions. These issues often strain your neck muscles. If you notice any of these symptoms, it could be time to consult with a chiropractor:
Chiropractor helps by relieving nerve and disc pressure. These nerves and discs are located between your vertebrae. After identifying the underlying cause of your pain, your chiropractor may use a combination of treatments to provide relief.
Have you been suffering from sharp pain that shoots down your back to your lower legs? If so, you might have sciatica. Your sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. Sciatic pain begins when your sciatic nerve is pinched or trapped, or you have underlying conditions like spinal stenosis or a herniated disc. Symptoms of Sciatica often include:
Proper Chiropractor can relieve your pain in a gentle, natural way. Since your pain is unique, your treatment plan should be too. Therapies include ultrasounds to reduce swelling, cold therapies to minimize inflammation, and adjustments to restore your vertebrae's alignment.
Joint pain from conditions like Arthritis can strip the joy out of simple activities that we enjoy every day. Fortunately, if you're looking for a non-invasive way to ease joint pain, your chiropractor may be able to help. Great Chiropractor will maximize the functionality of your joints with techniques like ultrasounds, cold laser therapies, and joint manipulation. Usually caused by various forms of Arthritis, age, and injuries, symptoms of joint pain include:
If joint pain affects your daily life, contact a licensed chiropractor to begin treatment ASAP. Your chiropractor will develop a customized plan around your pain to address the root cause of your discomfort.
Our hips serve many functions, from bearing weight to running. Since they're engaged in just about every way we move, hip problems can have serious consequences. Like neck pain, hip pain is very common â so much so that more than 58% of Americans are living with it, according to the CDC. Hip problems are usually caused by injuries or osteoarthritis, though normal wear and tear over time is also a contributing factor. If you notice any of these symptoms, an appointment with a chiropractor may be in order:
Since any joint in the body can be misaligned, like your hip joint, working with a chiropractor could be best for long-term relief. Any joint in the body can be out of alignment, including the hip joint, and it can cause severe pain, discomfort, and limited range of motion. Treatments in your personalized plan may include chiropractic adjustments, stretching, and exercise therapy.
Your spine comprises a litany of moving parts that must work together for healthy mobility. Spinal discs are just one of these parts, which act as cushions between your vertebrae. When you have a herniated disc, the bones in your spine grind against each other, causing intense pain. Also called a slipped disc, this back problem is very common and can be caused by wear and tear with age or traumatic events like car accidents. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms of a herniated disc:
After your chiropractor evaluates your spine for overall functionality, they will develop a personalized treatment plan for ongoing care. Common treatments for herniated discs include spinal manipulation techniques like flexion-distraction and therapeutic exercises.
Spinal Decompression Therapy is designed to relieve nerve compression in the spine. This gentle stretch helps relieve pressure and realign the spine in order to reduce those unbearable symptoms. In addition, once the spine is properly aligned, blood flow will increase, reducing swelling and inflammation of the problem area. This then allows the body to be more mobile, or, as a provider will say, increases your range of motion, for easier movement and functionality of the body.
Methods of Spinal Decompression Therapy include:
Keep in mind, Spinal Decompression Therapy is not for everyone. Diagnostic tests, such as an x-ray, MRI or Ct-scan are required for a proper and full examination.
At Denville Medical, we aim to serve you with long-lasting quality of life through personalized chiropractic treatments in New Jersey. The path to a pain-free life begins with a customized treatment plan tailored to your body and needs. We start with your first evaluation, where our experts dig deep into your medical history, current condition, your overall health goals and perform diagnostic tests. From there, we'll create your plan and help you hit your milestones every step of the way until your quality of life is improved.
If you're sick and tired of living with painful limitations, we're here to help you break free. No surgery. No addictive medicine. Only comprehensive Chiropractor, crafted with health and happiness in mind.
Answer : While some chiropractors rely on outdated techniques to treat patients, our team uses a combination of tried-and-true methods and modern strategies, including:
Answer : During your first visit with our physical therapist, we will complete a series of tests and screenings to establish a baseline for your care. You can expect to complete stability screenings, strength tests, and computerized range of motion tests. These tests ensure your doctor understands how your muscles are functioning. Once complete, your therapist will create a custom treatment plan for your physical therapy, so we can move forward with your care. During your time at Denville Medical, you should expect adjustments to your treatment plan as you make progress.
Answer : We get this question a lot, and we can certainly understand why. Unfortunately, we cannot provide you with an exact answer because every patient has different needs relating to their injuries and issues. Your level of stability and functionality depends on your condition, your goals, and your motivation to heal. For acute pain, patients typically experience relief in 2-3 weeks. Patients with forms of chronic pain usually feel optimal results after their first full course of therapy (4-6 weeks). Since our goal is to achieve maximum medical improvement, our doctors continuously monitor your progress and adjust treatment accordingly.
If we could offer you one piece of advice, it would be not to settle for mediocre medical treatment and therapeutic options. If you're looking for a team of doctors and therapists who work together and take an interdisciplinary approach to healing, Denville Medical & Sports Rehabilitation is here for you. Contact our office today to learn more about how we can help you achieve your chiropractic goals and live your life, pain-free.
973-627-7888By Telina CuppariPublishedOctober 5, 2023 at 11:47 AMKENILWORTH, NJ - Kenilworth Public Schools recently announced the September Hawk of the Month winners.PRE-K: Siena Severini- Mrs. HealyKINDERGARTEN: Jeremy Vallejo- Mrs. SkiffSign Up for FREE Kenilworth NewsletterGet local news you can trust in your inbox.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google ...
By Telina Cuppari
PublishedOctober 5, 2023 at 11:47 AM
KENILWORTH, NJ - Kenilworth Public Schools recently announced the September Hawk of the Month winners.
PRE-K: Siena Severini- Mrs. Healy
KINDERGARTEN: Jeremy Vallejo- Mrs. Skiff
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FIRST GRADE: Eve Kurus- Mrs. Wong
SECOND GRADE: Nehemiah Ortiz- Ms. Collemi
THIRD GRADE: Charlie Martins- Mrs. Loconte
FOURTH GRADE: Ryan DeSimone- Mrs. Gerenstein / Mrs. McSherry
FIFTH GRADE: Eknoor Kaur- Mrs. Decavalles
SIXTH GRADE: Bradley Cahill- Mrs. Marks
These students were randomly chosen after they were nominated by their teacher for showing responsibility, respect, commitment to success and support to their peers.
The following students were also nominated for Hawk of the Month in September:
Pre-K: Siena Severini,Julia Lynn, Noah Bonell, Adriana Lloll, Danny Lueddeke Kindergarten: Giuliana Dercole, Jermey Vallejo, Christian Moretti
First Grade: Lucas Vett, Jayden SIlva, Addison Casale, Ava Ramirez, Evie Kurus, Lourdes, Cabrera, Giavanna DaSilva, Nick Ruta, Kingston Nazario, Emma Doran, Aaxiel Ravello Joaquin, McKayla McGee, Henry Kaufman, Rylo DeLosSantos, Ryan Hart, Jacob Furchak
Second Grade: Conrad Borst, Juliet Hrdina, Caleb Dressler, Diogo Ferreira, Dane Mauro, Nehemiah Oritz
Third Grade: Sofia Scotellaro, Scarlett Stout, James Bayot, Gianna Ramos, Christian Garcia, Ann Marie Burke, Zulema Fernandez, Lexi Ferraioli, Lucas Montesano, Camila Garcia, Abigail Walker, Victoria Cardova, Kaylin Marabuto, Benny Iacovo
Fourth Grade: Angie Shmyr, Jaime Mendieta Gonzalez, Hope Bonassisa, Chris Giorella, Maylene Reyes Sosa, Luciana Testa, Trinity Rodriguez
Fifth Grade: Brielle Tavarez, Jordan Crapps, Jaden Rodriguez, Henry Diekmann, Adrianna Rivera, Tyler O’Keefe, Lucy Hidalgo Alvarez, Dilan Jacqueney, Uriel Ramirez Valetano, Eknoor Kaur, Collin Smith, Gavin Santos, Adrianna Marfia, Lily Dematos, Hannah Walker, Kaylee Walker, Katarina Diekmann
Sixth Grade: Sana Chawla, Anthony Gabriele, Taylor Hall, Sophia Padua
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!
Have a news tip, feedback or story idea? Email [email protected]
TAPinto Kenilworth is Kenilworth's only free daily local news source. Sign up for our free daily eNewsletter and “Like” us on Facebook.
TAPinto Kenilworth is free to read, funded entirely by business advertising.
KENILWORTH, NJ - Please see the following attachment important message from Collin Bishop and Meaghan Bottino.Dear Parents/Guardians: If your child has any medication and/or supplies in the Nurses office please make sure you pick them up from the Nurses office no later than June 23rd at 12:35 pm. Any medication that is left in the office after that time will be discarded at that time.Sign Up for FREE Kenilworth NewsletterGet local news you can trust in your inbox.This site...
KENILWORTH, NJ - Please see the following attachment important message from Collin Bishop and Meaghan Bottino.
Dear Parents/Guardians:
If your child has any medication and/or supplies in the Nurses office please make sure you pick them up from the Nurses office no later than June 23rd at 12:35 pm. Any medication that is left in the office after that time will be discarded at that time.
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This does not apply to students that are attending the extended school year. Those medications/supplies will be discarded after dismissal on the last day of ESY classes if they are not picked up. Please note that all medication MUST be picked up by an adult.
Also, please remember that we are required to have new orders every September for the new school year. Orders are only valid for the new school year if they are written after the last day of the current school year and are completely filled by parents and the healthcare provider or they will not be accepted. There will be no exceptions.
If you are missing medical forms for health plans for medical conditions such as diabetes and seizures, allergy action plans, asthma action plans or medication forms for any other medications that will be needed at school, please go to the Kenilworth Board of Education website. Once there go to the Department tab and then click on the Nurses tab. On the left side of the page there is a drop down menu- hit the forms tab and access individual forms.
Thank you in advance for your assistance. Have a happy and safe summer.
Sincerely;
Collin Bishop, RN, BSN, CSN-NJ
Meaghan Bottino, RN, CSN-NJ
Have a news tip, feedback or story idea? Email [email protected]
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By Telina CuppariPublishedNovember 4, 2023 at 5:11 PMKENILWORTH, NJ - Kenilworth Public Schools recently announced the October Hawk of the Month winners.PRE-K: Tatiana Channaoui- Mrs. LubinKINDERGARTEN: Emma Acevedo- Mrs. BirchSign Up for FREE Kenilworth NewsletterGet local news you can trust in your inbox.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google ...
By Telina Cuppari
PublishedNovember 4, 2023 at 5:11 PM
KENILWORTH, NJ - Kenilworth Public Schools recently announced the October Hawk of the Month winners.
PRE-K: Tatiana Channaoui- Mrs. Lubin
KINDERGARTEN: Emma Acevedo- Mrs. Birch
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This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
FIRST GRADE: Rylo De Los Santos- Mrs. Wong
SECOND GRADE: Ketochukwu Chidi-Udeze- Mrs. Donough/ Mrs. Caplanis
THIRD GRADE: Colton Costanza- Mr. Mills
FOURTH GRADE: Jonah Quezada Mrs. Bussiere
FIFTH GRADE: Gavin Santos- Mrs. Jernigan
SIXTH GRADE: Mason Roman- Ms. Marks
These students were randomly chosen after they were nominated by their teacher for showing responsibility, respect, commitment to success and support to their peers.
The following students were also nominated for Hawk of the Month in October:
Pre-K: Salvatore DiGirolamo
Kindergarten: Giuliana Dercole, Jayden Martinez, Andrea Barrera, Nwachi Okonkwo, Edwyn Mexica, Wesley Lykens, Violet Patel, Leo Maia, Isa Santoro, Ari Santoro, Liam Torres, Emma Azeveda, Jaxon Donascimento, Ty’ Riyanna Asberry, Alexander Hnatko, Frank Aliseo, Sadie Cunado, Nicholas Araujo, Alessandro Suarez, Dominick Costa, Jocelyn Carrillo, Haven Tovar, Juliana Dominguez, Vincent Caparruva, Katherine Bryan
First Grade: Eve Kurus, Nicholas Ruta, Addison Casale, Chelsea Amador Vargas, GIavanna DaSilva, Ava Ramirez, Rocco Bartley, Zabdiel Gomez, Olivia Parikic, Giuseppe DaSilva, Winter Tripodi, Rylo DeLosSantos, Miriam Severino-Santana,Vincenzo Giorella, Milana Kollarik, Jayden Silva, Austin Vietes, McKayla McGee, Alizeah Reyes, Lila Westcott, Ryleigh Kornfeld
Second Grade: Grace Giammarino, Keto Chidi-Udeze, Nicole Shmyr, Jayden David, Addison Eulas, Kelly Farber, Leonel Agurto, Nicholas Lagruth, Antonella Milanes, Diana Khemelynska, Grace Hutchinson. Adrian Kotlyar, Ryler Pinho, Grayson Chua, Hunter Filipe, Ava Szeluga
Third Grade: Sofia DeMatteo-Ubal, Chase Ryan, Kristen Sanabria, Camila Garcia, Kaileb Velazquez, Ekamjot Singh, Miyah Khalis, Jaydian Diaz, James Bayot, Ryan Morales, Giana Ramos, Emily Marques, Johan Solano, Gael Marquez, Camila Garcia, Brianna Castillo, Victoria Cordova, Abby Walker, Johan Solano, Alina Falcon, Kaylin Marabuto, Benedetto Iacovo, Sofia Scotellaro, Ava Adorno, Malcolm Love, Alexi Ferraioli, Jaxon Capra, Justin Espinosa, Dylan Santillan Villa,
Fourth Grade: Hope Bonassisa, Henrique DeOliveira, Chris Giorella, Boston Ogden, Jayce Fitzgerald, Alina Ortmann, Faith Halpern, Makayla Ocharan, Salvatore Gabriele, Michael Maglione, Brayden Sierant, Jasdeep Singh, Altair Torres, Sean Spranger, Trinity Rodriguez, Mila Chelchowski, Daniela Cornacchia, Dylan Mauro, Juliana Prior, Luciana Testa, Arielle Estrella, Paul Brennan, Kendall Crapps, Athan Silva, Dylan Pinto, Max Guaman, Eliza Moran
Fifth Grade: Henry Dieckmann, Joey Bellino, Trey Dunn,Mason Nesheiwat, Michael Paiva, Adrianna Marfia, Lily Dematos, Hannah Walker, Jacob Dussan, Gianna Orlando, Gianna Ciccarella, Emely Zumba Saraguara, Izel Ruiz Pacheco, Jordan Crapps, Marco Davis, Adriana Rivera, Dante Lugo, Noah Ortiz, Gianna Orlando, Katarina Dieckmann, Leonardo Xoleti, Madison Ventura, Ava Christenson, Uriel Ramirez Valdetano, Tyler O’Keefe, Carly Rivera
Sixth Grade: Cara Hrdina, Brianna Abuin, Troy Kessler, Olivia Garcia, Leone Obien, Angelina Frio, Aria Ferraioli, Arjun Shah, Abby Gribbin, Derek Gesualdo, Bradley Cahill, Brandon Alcantara
Congratulations to all the winners and nominees!
Have a news tip, feedback or story idea? Email [email protected]
TAPinto Kenilworth is Kenilworth's only free daily local news source. Sign up for our free daily eNewsletter and “Like” us on Facebook.
TAPinto Kenilworth is free to read, funded entirely by business advertising.
Thank you for reading TAPinto Kenilworth
Posted Thursday, February 2, 2023 12:26 am A priceless painting depicting Washington’s troops crossing the Delaware, which languished in a dusty basement for 50 years, was recently unearthed and is being restored by the volunteer friends group of Washington Crossing State Park.When the restoration is complete, the painting will hang in pride of place in the new Visitors’ Center to be located at the overlook in the New Jersey Park.Pat Millen, a founding trustee of the friends group, Washington Crossing Park...
Posted Thursday, February 2, 2023 12:26 am
A priceless painting depicting Washington’s troops crossing the Delaware, which languished in a dusty basement for 50 years, was recently unearthed and is being restored by the volunteer friends group of Washington Crossing State Park.
When the restoration is complete, the painting will hang in pride of place in the new Visitors’ Center to be located at the overlook in the New Jersey Park.
Pat Millen, a founding trustee of the friends group, Washington Crossing Park Association (WCPA) discovered this long-forgotten mural while doing research for a book. She came across brief references to a mural depicting the crossing in possession of the State of New Jersey, which led her to a 1971 “American Association of Conservators and Restorers” (AACR) article on the removal of a beautiful and historically accurate mural of Washington’s Crossing, painted in 1921 by George Harding for Trenton’s Taylor Opera House.
George Matthews Harding (1882–1959) was an American muralist and combat artist who worked in both World Wars. Born in Philadelphia, he studied at the Philadelphia Academy of the Fine Arts. After graduation he became an associate professor of fine arts at the University of Pennsylvania. During World War I, Harding was chosen as one of eight combat artists attached to American Expeditionary Forces in France. During World War II, at the age of 60, Harding accepted a commission with the U.S. Marine Corps as a combat artist in the Pacific.
Between and after the wars Harding was a much sought-after muralist, whose Works Progress Administration (WPA) pieces now grace federal and private buildings all over the nation. Several of them survive in Philadelphia’s Beaux Arts “Family Court” building in Logan Square, which is being renovated into a luxury hotel.
Millen also unearthed a black and white image of the painting from the book, “History of the George Washington Bicentennial Celebration,” published in 1932. It gives an excellent sense of the piece’s striking composition, and assured her that this is indeed an important work.
The Taylor Opera House was Trenton’s first theater, opened in 1867. It was founded by John Taylor, creator of Pork Roll and responsible for the breakfast sandwich, the Pork Roll, egg and cheese. Taylor’s advertising claimed that the founder’s grandfather, who originated the recipe for minced ham, was a colonel in the Revolutionary War fighting under George Washington.
The Taylor Opera House presented major performers of the day, including Mark Twain and Ethel Barrymore. In 1921, the Opera House was converted into a movie and vaudeville palace known as Keith's Capitol Theatre, then as the RKO International.
Sadly, this beautiful theater was razed in 1969 to create a parking lot.
A New York Times article titled “Association Working to Restore Art Treasure” appeared in 1972, detailing the AACR’s painstaking process of preparing the mural for storage as volunteers raced to remove it ahead of the wrecking ball. The mural was coated with homemade wheat paste and Japanese rice paper, and rolled onto a custom-made cylinder in the hopes that it would be restored for the Washington Crossing State Park’s new Visitors Center, slated for completion by 1976 for the nation’s Bicentennial.
The cylinder was transported to Ringwood Manor State Park in North Jersey, where it was placed into storage in a basement. However, the new Visitors Center was too small for this large piece, whose dimensions are approximately 15.5 feet by 10 feet, and the mural was essentially forgotten for the next 50 years.
Pat Millen discussed her findings with Washington Crossing State Park Historians, who were able to confirm that the painting was still at Ringwood. Millen then approached the Washington Crossing Park Association (WCPA), which took on the mission of determining if the mural could be restored for the next iteration of the Park’s Visitor’s Center, recently approved to be built in time for the Semiquincentennial in 2026.
The WCPA found that one of the region’s most respected art restorers — Christyl Cusworth of Cusworth Conservation — is based in Lambertville, N.J. With approval of the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, the WCPA has engaged Cusworth to arrange for transportation from Ringwood Manor to a secure art storage facility.
The WCPA is now nearing completion of its $60,000 fundraising campaign to restore and frame the piece, thanks to large donations from Americana Corner, NJM Insurance, and private funders, as well as many smaller contributions from members and friends. Anyone interested in helping to complete this effort can find more information at wcpa-nj.com/harding.
HARDING — Dickson's Mill Road gently winds a narrow, mile-long path through green fields and historic estate properties that comes to an end near the spill over the Silver Lake dam.Along the way, the historic two-lane road, which carried travelers before the American Revolution, crosses over the scenic Silver Brook and passes by a 40-acre preserve purchased with state Green Acres funds.While most in the wealthy southern Morris County township agree the tiny bridge over Silver Brook should be replaced, they ...
HARDING — Dickson's Mill Road gently winds a narrow, mile-long path through green fields and historic estate properties that comes to an end near the spill over the Silver Lake dam.
Along the way, the historic two-lane road, which carried travelers before the American Revolution, crosses over the scenic Silver Brook and passes by a 40-acre preserve purchased with state Green Acres funds.
While most in the wealthy southern Morris County township agree the tiny bridge over Silver Brook should be replaced, they don't support the federal, state and county guidelines that have led to a design proposal to widen the roadway by almost half.
The proposed 26-foot-wide bridge would compromise the historic and idyllic character of the setting and encourage speeding on a bridge where "there is no record of any traffic accidents ever taking place," said Councilman and former Mayor Nicolas Platt.
"How do you take a road with a safety record like that and want to change it?" Platt asked. "It doesn't make sense."
The current bridge widens the 18-foot-wide road to 20 feet. Signs warn approaching drivers of a narrow bridge with a 4-ton limit, barely wide enough to accommodate two passing cars.
"Besides taking on the appearance of a non-historic crossway, a wider bridge would straighten out a curve that would lead to higher speeds that have never been an issue," said Platt, who also currently serves as one of two New Jersey "shared services czars" appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy.
Morris County engineer Christopher Vitz is aware of the issue and said that due to the traffic volume on the roadway, and the current state and federal regulations, it requires a minimum-width bridge of 26 feet.
"It's just a safety issue," he said. "At 20 feet, it's a 10-foot-wide lane in each direction. That's quite narrow for vehicles to pass. Typically, you'd want a 12- or 13-foot-wide lane. With 26 feet, that allows two vehicles to pass while there is a pedestrian on the bridge."
Platt said he sees the larger bridge as a costly government "boondoggle," at an estimated price of $1.5 million, that is neither needed, nor desired, by residents.
"It's not just a bridge," Platt said. "This is about every rural road in New Jersey that has been protecting itself for 200 years, and suddenly the state takes a one-size-fits-all approach. That makes no sense. I think there's only 12 people who live on this road."
Platt was the lone council member to vote against a July 15 resolution that "supports the replacement or repair" of the bridge, and said he "desires the current width of the bridge to be maintained."
He objected to the resolution because it does not declare formal opposition to the width of the proposed bridge, and also requests the county, which is responsible for bridge replacement, to include the project in its 2020 budget cycle.
"The resolution to me reads as though they want to see if they can get a reprieve, but otherwise, let's move forward," Platt said. "It gives the county and the state less urgency to resolve this. I want to stonewall until we get the width we want."
Platt is calling for state officials to grant an exception to rebuild to the current width and still use about $1 million in state funds even though the plan would not meet American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials standards.
He cited previous exceptions to bridge projects "that did not meet NJDOT guidance values for width" in a letter to Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scacetti.
"I cannot fathom why a new bridge would need to be 45 percent wider than the roadway leading to it," Platt wrote. "The width between the trees on either side of the roadway is not even 26 feet."
Department of Transportation spokesman Steve Schapiro said the department "is aware of the concerns raised by elected officials, the town and county, and is working to set up a meeting to discuss them."
Assemblyman John McKeon, who represents Harding and New Jersey's 27th District, supports the push to narrow the replacement bridge.
"It's something overwhelmingly that folks in Harding care about, so I'm going to bat with them in every manner I can with the Department of Transportation, and the governor, if need be," McKeon said.
"I am committed this bridge will never be 26 feet," Platt vowed. "I will hold a sit-in if need be."
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William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; [email protected].