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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.
Some common reasons why patients need physical therapy at Denville Medical include:
1.
Sports Injuries Whether you are on the varsity team of your high school football team or a professional athlete, sports injuries are serious business. Our doctors and physical therapists will develop a plan to help you heal properly, so you can get back in the game sooner rather than later.
2.
Pre and Post Operation With decades of combined experience, our physical therapy experts know that there is a time for gentle healing and a time for aggressive physical rehab. Whether you are scheduled for surgery or have recently been released from the hospital, our therapists are here to help you recover, one step at a time.
3.
Neurological Issues At Denville Medical, we treat much more than sports-based injuries. Whether you're suffering from Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, or a vestibular problem, our therapists are trained and certified to help you regain your body's optimal functionality.
Life has a habit of throwing us curveballs. Sure, some surprises only hurt your bank account, like expenses around the home. But more serious incidents, like car wrecks, can inflict physical injuries causing long-term pain. Injury-related problems like neck and back pain affect many Americans daily. Even worse, many hardworking people turn to addictive pain medication and invasive surgeries for relief, only to find themselves deeper in a hole.
If you're in chronic pain or suffer from range of motion problems, you should know that options are available for safer, more effective pain relief. One of the most commonly used solutions is physical therapy. The main goal of physical therapy is to maximize your body's mobility and increase overall function. In order to accomplish this, physical therapy techniques focus on improving range of motion and building muscle strength.
Physical therapy helps people of all ages with illnesses, medical conditions, or injuries that limit their mobility and body functionality. At Denville Medical and Sports Rehabilitation Center, our doctors and physical therapists create customized physical therapy programs to help patients reclaim their lives.
When combined with diet and exercise, many patients are able to enjoy activities that they only thought possible with youth.
Some of the most common techniques that physical therapists use to help patients include:
From improper ergonomics at your office desk to injuries sustained in car wrecks, neck pain is a widespread problem. Taking the proper preventative steps to deal with pain provides relief and can prevent the need for surgery or medication.
Generally, there are two kinds of neck pain: chronic and acute. Acute pain shouldn't last for more than six weeks, while chronic pain can last months or even years. Physical therapy is one of the most recommended treatments for neck pain. Treatments often involve reducing neck exercise, strength training, and stretching. If you're suffering from acute or chronic neck pain, it's important to have tests done by a physical therapist to determine the extent of your injury.
Neck pain is caused by a wide range of problems, like:
After identifying the underlying cause of your condition, your physical therapist will develop a comprehensive treatment to address your pain and provide long-term relief.
Back pain is one of the leading causes of disability in America. Back pain can start innocuously as a small muscle ache but can quickly become a more serious problem that disrupts daily life. Like neck pain, the best way to address the issue is to understand the root cause so that surgery is avoided.
Also like neck pain, back pain is either chronic (longer than six weeks) or acute (less than six weeks). Back pain can be caused by a number of events, like lifting a heavy item or simply sitting wrong for too long. To determine the extent of your injuries, you will need one or more diagnostic tests, like X-rays or MRI scans. Once the root cause of your condition is revealed, your physical therapist will work with Denville Medical doctors to create a treatment plan tailored to your body.
Common conditions linked to back pain include:
Experiencing a herniated disc is something most people dread, but many have to endure. Luckily, PT plays a significant role in herniated disc recovery. Physical therapy not only provides immediate pain relief, it teaches patients how to condition their bodies to avoid worse injuries.
At Denville Medical, our physical therapists and doctors have years of experience helping patients rehabilitate from herniated discs. Patients benefit from several time-tested techniques to relieve pain.
After diagnostic testing, active and passive treatments can include:
Do your hips feel uneven or misaligned? Do you suffer from hip stiffness or pain when the weather changes? Are you having trouble getting around the house like you used to? Your hips bear most of your weight, so it's no surprise that hip pain is very common among Americans.
Fortunately, physical therapy has been proven to provide relief for people dealing with acute or chronic hip pain. As with other forms of pain, you will need diagnostic testing to determine the extent of your hip problems.
Some common causes of hip pain include:
Once your hip issues are properly diagnosed, it's time to find relief. Denville Medical & Sports Rehabilitation Center offers several custom solutions, including acupuncture, chiropractic care, and personalized physical therapy.
Like hip pain, knee pain is a common condition in the U.S. and affects millions of people every year. Pain in the knee is caused by many things, including strains, injuries, age, and repetitive trauma. Sometimes, there's no apparent reason for knee pain. When it occurs, you may experience limited knee functionality, like difficulty standing, walking, sitting, and walking up and down stairs.
There are many conditions associated with knee pain, including:
If you notice symptoms like clicking or popping sounds, locking, inflammation, or sharp pains in your knee, physical therapy might be your best bet for relief.
Sometimes, surgery is the only option a patient can choose to alleviate pain from injuries and accidents. When this is the case, physical therapy plays a vital role before and after surgery.
To help you get a better sense of the scope of our physical therapy treatments, we're listing some of the most frequently asked questions that we receive at Denville Medical:
Answer : While some physical therapists 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.
Whether you're dealing with chronic knee pain or acute back pain, relief is in sight. Rather than dangerous medicines and invasive surgeries, we specialize in non-surgical treatments like physical therapy. Our team of physical therapists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, and primary care doctors have years of experience and work hand-in-hand to give you real pain relief.
If you're sick and tired of living life full of physical pain, now is the time to act. Don't let your body deteriorate – find your new lease on life at Denville Medical and Sports Rehabilitation Center.
973-627-7888
Chloe Vasquez wasn't counting down to her 1,000th point as Pequannock played Hanover Park on Tuesday night. But when she stepped to the free-throw line with a minute and 13 seconds left in the game, Vasquez "knew that was it."The Golden Panthers junior point guard was also convinced she had to take the foul shots just like thousands of others before."That was the most pressure I've ever had in my basketball career," Vasquez said. "I've been on the free-throw line many times in close games...
Chloe Vasquez wasn't counting down to her 1,000th point as Pequannock played Hanover Park on Tuesday night. But when she stepped to the free-throw line with a minute and 13 seconds left in the game, Vasquez "knew that was it."
The Golden Panthers junior point guard was also convinced she had to take the foul shots just like thousands of others before.
"That was the most pressure I've ever had in my basketball career," Vasquez said. "I've been on the free-throw line many times in close games. But it was a different kind of feeling. I was very nervous, shaking, but also happy. It was a bunch of different emotions. I had to check in mentally, because I had to hit this."
She sank both, giving her 23 points in the game and exactly 1,000 for her career.
Vasquez had seen both the milestone and the number of points she needed on Tuesday as challenges she had to meet. And by reaching her goal, she also helped Pequannock beat NJAC-Liberty foe Hanover Park.
Teammates, friends and family members rushed to the corners of Pequannock's gym to get balloons, flowers and posters they'd stashed away, just in case. Vasquez is the eighth Golden Panthers girl to reach the milestone.
"Once I hit it, I think the whole crowd and my whole team (had) a weight lifted off their shoulders – especially my shoulders," said Vasquez, who made all nine free throws on Tuesday.
"I was like, 'I did it. I can breathe. I can relax now.' ... Getting it as a junior was great. I was very determined to get it this year with this team."
Vasquez has been Pequannock's "most impactful player" since she walked into the gym as a 5-foot-9 freshman guard, according to coach Jennifer Baggott. She runs the Golden Panthers' offense, and is able to score both in the paint and beyond the arc.
The only thing that set Vasquez back was COVID, which restricted Pequannock to only 15 games in her first season. She is averaging 20.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.6 steals this winter.
Flashback!Pequannock girls basketball player Chloe Vasquez voted Athlete of the Week
"When she goes, we go," Baggott said. "I don't think (1,000 points) was even a question. It was like, 'Wow, what are we going to accomplish as a team with her leading us. It was never a question of if, it was when."
Vasquez has been playing basketball since second grade, and she fell in love with the game almost immediately. She was part of coed rec teams, and went to camps with boys. Vasquez has since transitioned to girls travel and then AAU teams, but the initial experiences built both her skills and confidence.
"I was and still am a very competitive person, so playing against boys was a big thing for me back then," Vasquez said. "It made me tougher, more competitive, more determined. Like, 'I can do this. You can't stop me.'"
New Jersey's largest city has come a long way when it comes to cleaning up its drinking water. And it isn't done yet, Newark officials say.|Updated Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 4:11 pm ETNEWARK, NJ — New Jersey’s largest city has come a long way when it comes to cleaning up its drinking water. And it isn’t done yet, Newark officials say.On Monday, Newark launched $23 million in new upgrades at the Pequannock Water Treatment Plant. The city-managed plant is located at 2224 Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike in West Mil...
|Updated Mon, Apr 11, 2022 at 4:11 pm ET
NEWARK, NJ — New Jersey’s largest city has come a long way when it comes to cleaning up its drinking water. And it isn’t done yet, Newark officials say.
On Monday, Newark launched $23 million in new upgrades at the Pequannock Water Treatment Plant. The city-managed plant is located at 2224 Paterson-Hamburg Turnpike in West Milford. It treats water that is piped to Newark residents and businesses, as well as several nearby towns that purchase water from the city.
When completed, the new system will improve overall water quality and increase the plant’s processing capacity from 35 to 60 million gallons per day, Newark officials said.
The upgrades are being financed by New Jersey Infrastructure Bank Program low-interest loan financing, designed by Kleinfelder Inc. and constructed by Spectraserv.
“We have five outdoor reservoirs that store 14 billion gallons of water,” said Kareem Adeem, director of the Department of Water and Sewer Utilities. “These new systems will help us draw and purify that water with greater speed and efficiency.”
Article continues below
NEWARK'S FIGHT AGAINST LEAD WATER
Three years ago, Newark made national headlines when it confronted a lead water crisis. At one point, the lead levels at some points in the city's drinking water had risen to 47 parts per billion at some sites, more than three times the federal threshold. It prompted an outcry from residents – and a lawsuit from advocates.
Newark eventually identified two sources of the contamination. One was the way the city treated its water, which allowed excess corrosion to take place in aging pipes. The city responded by rolling out a new method of treating its water, which is also sold to several nearby towns and cities in Essex County, including Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange and Nutley.
The second issue wasn't as quick of a fix, however.
Newark officials traced some of the contamination to lead-lined service pipes leading to thousands of local homes. The pipes – which connect local homes and businesses to the local water supply – can potentially leach contamination as water passes through them. A portion of the pipes may be privately owned, complicating efforts to replace them.
With the aid of state and county financial assistance, Newark has since replaced almost 23,000 lead service pipes within three years – significantly ahead of the 10 years it was expected to take.
Normally the work can cost thousands of dollars, but Newark offered it at no cost for residents through a municipal replacement program. There were no tax increases or water rate hikes as a result, city officials say.
In July 2021, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka announced that the average lead levels in Newark water fell "well below the federal benchmark for acceptable levels" for the third straight reporting period – a huge turning point in its battle against lead contamination.
Newark’s recent milestones have been getting national attention from federal officials and boards.
In February, Newark caught the eye of Vice President Kamala Harris, who came to the Garden State to praise the city for its battle against lead water contamination. Read More: Lead Pipes And Newark: Kamala Harris Returns To NJ To Praise City
Earlier this month, Mayor Baraka testified before the Senate Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water, and Wildlife in Washington D.C. about Newark’s progress, holding the city up as a “national model.”
“Newark’s Lead Service Line project is unprecedented in terms of scope and speed and has protected the health and wellness of the residents of Newark as well as portions of neighboring cities that we service,” Baraka said.
“This project helped protect the health and wellness of our residents and provided 500 good-paying local jobs,” he continued. “Workers on the project worked tirelessly to get this accomplished (even through the pandemic) to help safely complete the project. We identified affirmative action goals to establish fair access to employment opportunities and created a program designed to reflect the demographics of the city.”
Baraka also discussed best practices learned from the project, its funding, addressing lead in schools, and supporting the needs of low-income water customers. To view the mayor’s entire testimony, including the questions he answered, click here.
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Two teams from North Jersey will join one team each from Central Jersey and South Jersey to compete in this year's Joe Graziano New Jersey Little League State Tournament in Pequannock.Seven of the last eight state champions have come out of Section 3 or more specifically have been teams from the Jersey Shore region of the state.Will that trend continue again in 2022? We'll find out very soon.After the New Jersey State Tournament, there are only two more stops to compete the Little League Baseball dream and...
Two teams from North Jersey will join one team each from Central Jersey and South Jersey to compete in this year's Joe Graziano New Jersey Little League State Tournament in Pequannock.
Seven of the last eight state champions have come out of Section 3 or more specifically have been teams from the Jersey Shore region of the state.
Will that trend continue again in 2022? We'll find out very soon.
After the New Jersey State Tournament, there are only two more stops to compete the Little League Baseball dream and that's a trip to Bristol, Connecticut, for the Mid-Atlantic tournament; and that winner finishes the season at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
But for now, here is what you need to know for this year's New Jersey State Tournament.
New Jersey is divided into four sections for the annual little league baseball state tournament.
Section 1 covers the North and Northwest part of the state and will be represented by West Milford
Section 2 covers the Northeast part of the state and will be represented by Rutherford
Section 3 covers Central New Jersey and will be represented by Toms River East
More: The current Section 3 bracketView each game of this year's Section 3 Tournament
Section 4 covers the Southern part of the state and will be represented by Haddonfield
Stick with APP.com for more Little League baseball and softball updates this summer.
More: Subscribe for total accessHere is a better idea, get a digital subscription right now, so you get unlimited access all summer long.
Pequannock Little League is the host and all games will be played at Washington Field. For GPS purposes, use 99 Washington Street, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 as the field address.
From West Milford: Take Union Valley Road South until you meet the split at Macopin Road. Take a slight left turn onto Macopin Road South. Follow Macopin Road South and eventually turn right onto Echo Lake Road until you intersect with NJ-23 South. Follow NJ-23 South for 8.4 miles and turn slight right onto Newark Pompton Turnpike. Follow Newark Pompton Turnpike South for 1.6 miles and turn left onto Washington Street. Washington Street turns into Adams Street and the entrance to Washington Field is a short distance away.
From Rutherford: Take NJ Route 3 West and NJ-3 W eventually turns into US-46 W and take that for 1.8 miles and then take NJ-23 N for 2.0 miles. Take the Newark-Pompton Turnpike exit toward Pequannock and take that route for 2.7 miles. Turn right onto Washington Street and Washington Street turns into Adams Street and the entrance to Washington Field is a short distance away.
From Toms River: Take the Garden State Parkway North for 72.3 miles to NJ-3 W in Clifton. Take exit 153B from Garden State Parkway. Take NJ-3 W for 1.0 miles and NJ-3 W eventually turns into US-46 W and take that for 1.8 miles and then take NJ-23 N for 2.0 miles. Take the Newark-Pompton Turnpike exit toward Pequannock and take that route for 2.7 miles. Turn right onto Washington Street and Washington Street turns into Adams Street and the entrance to Washington Field is a short distance away.
From Haddonfield: Take the New Jersey Turnpike North to exit 11 Garden State Parkway North. Take the GSP North for 24.4 miles to NJ-3 W in Clifton. Take exit 153B from the Garden State Parkway. Take NJ-3 W for 1.0 miles and NJ-3 W eventually turns into US-46 W and take that for 1.8 miles and then take NJ-23 N for 2.0 miles. Take the Newark-Pompton Turnpike exit toward Pequannock and take that route for 2.7 miles. Turn right onto Washington Street and Washington Street turns into Adams Street and the entrance to Washington Field is a short distance away.
Game 1: Haddonfield (Section 4) 14, West Milford 3 (In 6 innings)
Game 2: Toms River East (Section 3) 12, Rutherford (Section 2) 0 (In 4 innings)
More: A full recap of day 1 of tourneyThe NJ Little League state tournament began on July 27, find out how the 4 teams fared on the first day.
Loser's bracket elimination game
Game 3: Rutherford 13, West Milford 1 (In 4 innings)
Winner's bracket final
Game 4: Toms River East 10, Haddonfield 1
More: TRE cruises to next victoryThe 12–year-old All-Stars from Toms River East are very close to the state title
Loser's bracket final and elimination game
Game 5: Rutherford 7, Haddonfield 4
Championship game
Game 6: Toms River East 9, Rutherford 0
More: A state title for Toms River EastThe 12-year-old All Stars from TRE little league are state champions once again. Next stop Bristol , CT
A manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group (it is 85 pitches for the 12-year-olds).
But the pitcher may remain in the game at another position: Exception: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed in Regulation VI (c) for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: 1. That batter reaches base; 2. That batter is put out; 3. The third out is made to complete the half-inning. Note 1: A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day.
Note 2: Any player who has played the position of catcher in four or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day.
If a player pitches 66 or more pitches in a day, four (4) calendar days of rest must be observed
If a player pitches 51-65 pitches in a day, three (3) calendar days of rest must be observed
If a player pitches 36-50 pitches in a day, two (2) calendar days of rest must be observed
If a player pitches 21-35 pitches in a day, one (1) calendar day of rest must be observed
If a player pitches 1-20 pitches in a day, no (0) calendar day of rest is required
Here are the New Jersey Little League State Champions since 2000 in the 12-year-old division.
2021: Toms River East - Toms River East wins Little League state title
2020: Brick
2019: Elmora Youth - Holbrook falls in state title game
2018: Middletown - Tully tosses Middletown to first state title
2017: Holbrook - Holbrook home runs secure state title
2016: Freehold Township - Freehold Township wins state title
2015: Jackson - Jackson wins state title with walk-off home run
2014: Toms River - Toms River beats Ocean City for state title
2013: East Greenwich
2012: Par Troy East
2011: Paramus
2010: Toms River National
2009: Somerset Hills
2008: Bordentown
2007: Randolph East
2006: Livingston American
2005: Toms River American
2004: HTRBA
2003: Freehold Township American
2002: Nottingham
2001: Randolph West
2000: Pequannock
Sherlon Christie is a sports reporter at the Asbury Park Press and has covered sports at the Jersey Shore since 2004. Don't miss any of his coverage by subscribing at https://subscribe.app.com. You can contact him at https://linktr.ee/schristie2
Behind the scoring efforts of Mia Pauldo (21 points) and Alexis Rosenfeld (18 points), top-seeded Morris Catholic dominated 16th-seeded Boonton, 89-57, in the first round of the Morris County Tournament in Denville.Complete Box Score »Daniella Matus scored 15 points for Morris Catholic (16-3), who jumped out to a commanding 26-6 first-quarter lead, which grew to 30 points by halftime.Amaya Campbell finished with 20 points for ...
Behind the scoring efforts of Mia Pauldo (21 points) and Alexis Rosenfeld (18 points), top-seeded Morris Catholic dominated 16th-seeded Boonton, 89-57, in the first round of the Morris County Tournament in Denville.
Daniella Matus scored 15 points for Morris Catholic (16-3), who jumped out to a commanding 26-6 first-quarter lead, which grew to 30 points by halftime.
Amaya Campbell finished with 20 points for Boonton (15-3).
Morris Catholic will face Pequannock in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Montville 49, Morris Tech 21
Behind a dominant first-quarter run, second-seeded Montville surged past 15th-seeded Morris Tech 49-21 in the first round of the Morris County Tournament in Montville.
Jackie Cinella led the way with 10 points and seven rebounds for Montville (16-3), who jumped out to a 19-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. Montville expanded its lead to 34 points after going on a 16-2 run at the end of the third quarter.
Morris Tech suffered its first loss of the season, falling to 16-1.
Montville will face Jefferson in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Chatham 56, Morris Hills 33
Third-seeded Chatham placed three players in double digits en route to a 56-33 victory over 14th-seeded Morris Hills in the first round of the Morris County Tournament in Chatham.
Ella Kreuzer posted 12 points for Chatham (11-11), while Mia Semioli scored 11 points. Riley Allen recorded a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds in the victory. Chatham jumped out to an 11-4 lead after the first quarter and never looked back, expanding its lead to 19 points by the end of the third quarter.
Sydney Mulroony scored a team-high 12 points for Morris Hills (5-13).
Chatham will face Hanover Park in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Madison 58, Morris Knolls 36
Charlotte Tuhy dropped 30 points to carry fifth-seeded Madison to a 58-36 victory over 12th-seeded Morris Knolls in the first round of the Morris County Tournament in Madison.
Alex Reigle finished with 13 points for Madison (15-3), who went on a 15-2 run in the second quarter to expand its lead to 16 points by halftime. After Morris Knolls (8-9) cut the lead back to 10, Madison sealed the game with a 18-4 run in the fourth quarter.
Denay Jones scored a team-high 14 points for Morris Knolls.
Madison will face Randolph in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Hanover Park 40, Morristown 38
Samantha Cicerone posted a double-double of 10 points along with four steals to carry 11th-seeded Hanover Park to a 40-38 overtime victory over sixth-seeded Morristown in the first round of the Morris County Tournament in Morristown.
Nadia Castenada posted 10 points and six rebounds for Hanover Park (13-5), who was neck and neck with Morristown for the entire game. In the overtime period, Hanover Park outscored Morristown 8-6 to win the game.
Maya Summerville nearly recorded a double-double for Morristown (10-7), finishing with 14 points and nine rebounds.
Hanover Park will face Chatham in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Pequannock 60, Mendham 51
Chloe Vasquez poured in 22 points to carry eighth-seeded Pequannouck to a 60-51 victory over ninth-seeded Mendham in the first round of the Morris County Tournament in Pequannock.
Faith Tucker posted 13 points for Pequannock (12-4), who used a 17-9 second-quarter run to take a 10-point lead at halftime. Mendham would cut the lead back to five points by the end of the third quarter, but Pequannock held on for the victory in the fourth quarter.
Lia Manuel scored a game-high 23 points for Mendham (10-7).
Pequannock will face top-seeded Morris Catholic in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Jefferson 48, West Morris 19
Emily Poulas scored 18 points to lead seventh-seeded Jefferson to a 48-19 victory over 10th-seeded West Morris in the first round of the Morris County Tournament in Oak Ridge.
Jefferson (14-5) posted a 17-0 first-quarter shutout and led by 25 points at halftime. Amanda Nwankwo and Riley Strauch scored seven points apiece.
West Morris falls to 12-5.
Jefferson will face Montville in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
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84 Flood-Threatened Homes Purchased and Restored to Open SpaceMorris County’s innovative flood mitigation program hit a milestone in March, turning 10 years old and helping towns to obtain 84 flood-prone properties that have been restored to open space.The program, which has operated since 2012 through the Morris County Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust, supplements state and federal programs by helping towns obtain flood-prone lots from willing sellers. The county funds go dir...
84 Flood-Threatened Homes Purchased and Restored to Open Space
Morris County’s innovative flood mitigation program hit a milestone in March, turning 10 years old and helping towns to obtain 84 flood-prone properties that have been restored to open space.
The program, which has operated since 2012 through the Morris County Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust, supplements state and federal programs by helping towns obtain flood-prone lots from willing sellers. The county funds go directly to the municipalities, which purchase the properties from willing sellers and must maintain the land as public open space.
“Ten years ago, our board decided to take a sliver of our tax-payer approved open space dollars and dedicate them to buying out flood-prone properties. Right out of the gate, the program won two environmental awards from the State of New Jersey for its innovation. It hadn’t been done before,” said Stephen H. Shaw, a member of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners and liaison to the Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation, which manages the program.
Check Out the Video of Commissioner Shaw Touring Restored Property
By removing the homes and restoring the properties to open space, the land can better absorb flood waters and protect other nearby properties from flooding. The program also offers communities more open space, helps constantly flooded homeowners move out and even eases burdens on first responders who must occasionally rescue people from their flooded buildings.
To date, the program has allocated $9.6 million to obtain properties in eight Morris County towns.
The Morris County Flood Mitigation Program has been involved in the purchase of 84 properties, with towns using the county funds in conjunction with other funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the New Jersey Green Acres/Blue Acres program and, in some cases, municipal contributions.
Five of the 84 properties were located in the flood-prone Midwood Road section of Lincoln Park, next to the banks of the Pompton River, where a total of 20 homes were purchased, removed and returned to natural lands in recent years. On April 7, that area was under water again after heavy rains hit northern New Jersey, deluging the region and leaving many riverside properties in Morris County flooded.
This time, there were 20 less structures underwater along Midwood Road and the river waters were more quickly absorbed.
On average, for every $1 spent by the county of flood mitigation, there have been $7 in benefits to the participating towns
and county, according to the Office of Planning and Preservation.
The Flood Mitigation Program is structured with two basic funding tracks, according to Program Coordinator Virginia Michelin.
Grant applications are considered by the county Flood Mitigation Committee from municipalities on behalf of willing sellers. Every project is subject to a detailed benefit-cost analysis based on FEMA computer models.
Photos taken April 8, 2022 of three flood-prone locations in Morris County following an April 7 storm.
Top Right: Gardner Field, Denville, N.J.
Center Left: Harrison Road, Pequannock, N.J.
Bottom Right: Pompton River off Shady Street, Pequannock, N.J.
