Home Care In Midvale, NJ

In the 1960s and 1970s the people of Wanaque Borough found themselves faced with plans by developers for 800 new homes in five developments in the northeast part of the municipality. A major growth spurt would bring the need for additional borough services – including more school classrooms. The two schools in use at the time did not have the extra space that soon would be needed.

The Midvale School dated back to 1902 when Abraham S Hewitt presented it to the town. He was once the mayor of New York City, guiding genius behind the Ringwood Iron Works operation and the lord of the elegant Ringwood Manor. In 1969 when the district was facing classroom shortages the school was nearly 70 years old. After the Wanaque School opened in 1972 Midvale School was used for district offices and eventually demolished.

The Haskell School that is still in use is on property that according to local history was sold to the borough by Cornelius Van Wagoner for $1 with the stipulation that it only be used for a school. Without a school there the property would return to Van Wagoner family ownership. The agreement is reported to have said that if a school on that land was lost or destroyed it was to be rebuilt within six months or replaced by another school.

An addition was put onto the Haskell School in 1954 and there was a second addition in 1964.

Wanaque School, built 45 years ago, opened in 1972. Getting the school built came after some anxious and difficult decision-making. The Board of Education (BOE) and the people of the borough struggled with the knowledge that a new school had to be built – but they knew too that it also had to be affordable for the burdened taxpayers.

The search for available property for a new school was underway for some time. With 75 or more of the proposed new homes already built and occupied in 1969 enrollment in the two existing schools increased substantially. The 23 available classrooms had 30 or more children and more were enrolling daily. Student enrollment had increased by 51 students over the previous year.

District officials anticipated that more than 150 students would enter school in the district before the end of the year. They expected that by the end of the 1973-74 school year the total school enrollment in kindergarten through eighth grade would approach 2,300 students.

In 1967 I was at a school board meeting and heard parents express anxiety over the lack of progress in getting more classrooms for the fast-growing student population. Parent spokesperson Leroy Van Kirk noted that construction of a new school had been in the planning stage for several years. He said that moving ahead to build one could wait no longer.

A search for property for the site of a new school had gone on for a number of years. In 1963 a referendum to purchase the Columbo land, a 14 acre parcel, was rejected by the voters.

Later a developer turned over a 10-acre site in the Meadowbrook development to the BOE for a school site - but the school officials were told by the state that this parcel was not large enough for a school.

A 23.61-acre piece of property in Midvale owned by the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad became available for purchase and seen as a feasible school site.

The BOE was undecided as to whether the ballot questions of purchase of the property and building the school should go before voters at the same time.

The trustees voted 5-2 to separate the land purchase referendum from the referendum for the school construction. Attorney Martin Verp said the cost of the land was fair. He recommended having the two referendums.

“This is not a high income community,” said Verp. “It might be overwhelming for the public to think in terms of seven (cost) figures.”

Price for the railroad property was $135,000. The BOE was able to cut the cost to $100,000 with the transfer of $35,000 left over from the Haskell School addition.

The property referendum went before voters in 1968 and was approved by a vote of 610 to 113 by the voters who went to the polls. There were 3,800 registered voters in the borough at the time.

The trustees then began planning for construction of the school building with 35 classrooms that would be built on the property.

The New Jersey Commissioner of Education did not go along with the recommendation of Auditor John Ecceleston. He wanted to defer the bond payment until four or five years later so that new homeowners would help pay the cost of the new school - lowering the cost burden on residents who already lived in Wanaque. It would have been a 22-year bond issue.

Because of this decision the school originally estimated to cost $2,750,000 would instead cost $2,915,000. The additional cost resulted in the state’s requirement that the bonding be for 30 years.

It was reported at the time that part of the problem stemmed from the fact that Wanaque was one of 43 districts in the state with a “B” credit rating. That was the lowest designation on the scale of Moody’s or Standard & Poor’s principal bond rating services.

Board President Louis Longo then led a delegation to Trenton to seek necessary approval for the $2,915,000 bond plan. Longo and the other Wanaque representatives who accompanied him told the state that Wanaque’s past record of constructing buildings within its budget figures should be indicative of the desire to keep costs at a minimum.

The trip to the state capitol was a success. The state board agreed to grant unanimous approval to the board’s proposal as outlined by the auditor. The referendum could go to the voters.

An information sheet put out by the Board of Education warned that if the referendum was defeated split sessions would be inevitable and class sizes would be beyond the state-approved number.

The BOE also warned that there could be a possible loss of state certification for kindergarten and special education classes. The brochure to the voters said a six-month delay would cause a six to nine percent increase in construction costs.

An increase in turnover of the teaching faculty was predicted along with curtailing services to children because of limited or no facilities, said the BOE. The brochure said better schools attract better teachers who stay in the district.

The document sent to voters by the BOE said with approval of the referendum special education classes would no longer have a limited school day and kindergarten would no longer be located in a sub standard classroom.

The board said the rate of construction to the development areas would determine the actual enrollment each year.

“Wanaque needs a new elementary school now,” said the 1969 BOE flyer urging people to vote for the school. “Your board of education has discussed this problem for many years. In 1954 an addition was added to Haskell School, and in 1964 another addition was completed. Haskell School now has an enrollment of 1,190.”

During a public hearing, held by the BOE Superintendent Dominick Parisi, he said there were a number of classes in Haskell School with more than 35 students and 29 classes in both schools had ore than 30 pupils.

Wanaque Taxpayers Association President Robert P. Cusick announced at the hearing that his organization was endorsing the referendum. He said good conscience would not let anyone object because a new school was desperately needed.

All the trustees but one supported the referendum. People said that the dissenter was calling people on the telephone urging them to vote against passage of the referendum, reports at the time said.

The referendum for the new school was approved by a vote of 665 to 299 with better than 25 percent of the 3,400 eligible voters going to the polls.

School officials were overwhelmed when they heard of the supportive voter turnout.

“Holy Moses – I never saw that many people come out to vote,” exclaimed Parisi. “That was sure some turnout. It made us all quite happy to see the support townspeople have given us.”

School Board President Louis Longo and his brother Mayor Frank Longo credited the Parent Teacher Association and Wanaque Taxpayers Association support and endorsement as being a large force in getting the referendum passed.

“I didn’t think it would go through this well,” said Louis Longo. “I’ve been with the board nine years now and I’ve gone through all the defeats – but this was just unbelievable."

Ground-breaking for construction of the school was held in November 1970. Among those present were Trustees Louis Longo, Edward Landry, Reynold Casaleggio, Louis Guide, George Destito, Joseph Connizzo, Lewis Caywood, and Pat Spadaccini; Mayor Frank Longo and Councilmen Samuel Liotti and Elias Kressaty.

Before Lakeland Regional High School for Wanaque and Ringwood students was built, after eighth grade graduation the students from the two towns went to Butler High School.

In 2013-14 the two kindergarten through eighth-grade schools in Wanaque Borough had an enrollment of 915 students and 93 classroom teachers, according to available records.

The trout season in New Jersey opened Saturday in chilly conditions and with swift-moving water courtesy of the recent snow melt, making the annual rite of spring feel more like the last vestige of winter.

Anglers in hip waders, and in some cases, full wet suits, dipped into the Ramapo River at 8 a.m. hoping to hook that most fickle of fish, the trout. Like other rivers and streams around the state, the Ramapo at the Midvale Bridge between Oakland and Mahwah was churning pretty good, the air and water was cold, and better suited for fish.

"High and fast," was the way Chris Scrittorale described the Ramapo, as he waded downstream from the bridge. Scrittorale, a history teacher from Wayne, wasn't having much luck early on, frequently snagging as the swift current pulled his line down river.

"It's cold," he said as the waters swirled around him, adding that grabbing the Thermos filled with hot coffee that he left in his truck sounded like a pretty good idea at that moment. "But I'll keep trying until I get one."

It took awhile, but Vince Fiori of Mahwah, and his nephew, Logan Driever, 13, of Montclair, both caught fish. Fiori, an airline pilot, said he's been fishing the Ramapo for 40 years. His nephew is new to the sport.

Fiori said the river was moving fast, which made it more difficult to find the pools of relatively calm water where the ever-elusive trout lurk. In calmer water, "it's easier to find pools, and easier to control your lures," but a fisherman has to adapt to meet the conditions, he said.

Lurking somewhere under the surface was one of the 183,630 trout that the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife have dispatched into the rivers, lakes and streams around the state in anticipating of opening day. Fish and Wildlife will continue stocking through out the spring, and plans to ultimately deliver 568,500 trout to waterways in the state.

Just a few feet up river, Michael Stefanelli and his son, Nick, 7, were having better luck. Dad hooked his first trout of the season around 9 a.m., and Son followed with one soon afterward.

Asked what he was going to with his catch, Nick didn't hesitate. "I'm going to cook him," he said. His father added the recipe: "A little butter and garlic," he said.

Luck plays only a small part. Trout are notoriously fickle creatures; they'll linger just below the surface and never come up to bite. The fisherman has to decide first, where the the fish are, and then whether it is best to drop a line with bait in the water, dangle a shiny spinner to get their attention, or tie a synthetic fly and cast it on to the surface and hope the fish come up to grab it.

There are over 1,000 different kinds of flies that trout eat, and a skilled fly fisherman knows what fly to tie, depending on the setting and the time of year. Saturday's opening day starter was the Black Stone fly.

"The challenge is to trick the fish into taking something that is not natural," said Emmett Johnson, who lives on the banks of the Ramapo and knows the river and how to fish it. "You're tricking the fish into thinking that your fly is the real thing."

Johnson said stock fish behave a different way than wild fish. They've only been out of the Pequest Trout Hatchery, the state-run trout farm in Warren County, for a few days. They're jittery, nervous, expecting to get fed — as opposed to a wild trout, which tends to lurk and are more sluggish.

"Stock fish are learning to survive in a new way," Johnson said. He said the trout fishing should be good until June, when the river becomes shallower and the water temperature rises past 70 degrees.

Another angler who knows all about how trout behave is Jeff Nieradka, who was fishing Barbour's Pond in the Garret Mountain Reservation in Paterson. Nieradka is a catch-and-release fisherman, and he's developed a seeming personal relationship with a few of the fish he's found at the end of his line.

He'll tell you there's a Gold Rainbow trout that is 30 inches long and weighs 15 pounds. "He was stocked in 2009," Nieradka said. "I hooked him and threw him back. I saw him August of last year. He lives right over there," he said, pointing to the eastern shore of the pond.

And Nieradka said Barbour's Pond is home at least one huge box turtle, which he sees cutting through the water as he fishes. "He must weigh 150 pounds," he said.

But nothing much was biting at Barbour's Pond on Saturday. Nieradka also subscribes to the theory that it will take awhile for stock fish to become familiar with their surroundings.

"The fish are there. They just have to cooperate," he said.

OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A.M. Best Co. has assigned a financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and an issuer credit rating of “a” to Midvale Indemnity Company (Midvale) (Chicago, IL). The assigned outlook for both ratings is stable.

The ratings are based upon Midvale’s 100% intercompany quota share reinsurance agreement, as of January 1, 2013, with the lead company of American Family Insurance Group, American Family Mutual Insurance Company, having become a fully reinsured member.

A.M. Best does not expect negative pressure on the ratings of Midvale in the near to mid-term. However, rating actions could ensue if the company’s relationship with the American Family Insurance Group (most specifically its intercompany reinsurance arrangements) were to incur material changes, or Midvale experienced a severe reduction in capitalization due to increased credit leverage within its reinsured book of business in the event of a catastrophe.

The methodology used in determining these ratings is Best’s Credit Rating Methodology, which provides a comprehensive explanation of A.M. Best’s rating process and contains the different rating criteria employed in the rating process. Best’s Credit Rating Methodology can be found at www.ambest.com/ratings/methodology.

A.M. Best Company is the world's oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright © 2013 by A.M. Best Company, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Contacts

A.M. Best Co. Joel Silverthorn, 908-439-2200, ext. 5120 Senior Financial Analyst [email protected] or Greg Williams, 908-439-2200, ext. 5815 Assistant Vice President [email protected] or Rachelle Morrow, 908-439-2200, ext. 5378 Senior Manager, Public Relations [email protected] or Jim Peavy, 908-439-2200, ext. 5644 Assistant Vice President, Public Relations [email protected]

Fishing is a prime New Jersey activity. And according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), there are more than 400 open lakes, ponds, and reservoirs that permit public fishing in the state. This is perfect for the dauntless angler who wants to make the most of their bait and tackle. With that said, we’ve gathered nine notable fishing spots in New Jersey whose waters you should test.

1. Ramapo River

A tributary of the Pompton River, the Ramapo River is a popular destination for anglers looking to cast their lines. In particular, it’s considered a great spot for fly fishing, which involves using a lightweight lure to catch fish.

A variety of species inhabit the river. New Jersey’s many trout species, including brown, rainbow and brook, can be caught here. Other common species include largemouth bass, yellow perch and crappies.

Additionally, because the river stretches 30 miles, there are plenty of locations perfect for setting-up your fishing rod. Mahwah has two of them in the forms of Ramapo Valley County Reservation and Midvale Mountain Road Bridge. Oakland also has three: Roosevelt Boulevard, River Road and Oak Street.

2. Delaware River

Western New Jersey’s access to the Delaware River allows fresh opportunities for freshwater fishing. There are 300 miles of waterway that wind past several Jersey towns.

Depending on what fish you want to catch, you may have to choose from several of these riverside locations. In general, if you want fish that primarily live in the sea but return to freshwater bodies to lay their eggs, you should fish closer to the Delaware Bay. If you fish upriver, you’re more likely to catch muskellunge and channel catfish.

If you’re looking for rainbow trout, Lambertville is a good place to set up. Amico Island Park in Delran, New Jersey hosts catfish and largemouth bass. Meanwhile, the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area is home to smallmouth and striped bass.

One final note: the Delaware River is the only New Jersey body of freshwater that allows fishing for American shad. That species has experienced declines in population from overfishing in other areas.

3. Round Valley Reservoir

Found in Lebanon, New Jersey, the massive Round Valley Reservoir covers 2,350 acres and sinks down to depths of 180 feet, making it the second deepest lake in the state. The cold water habitat makes it the perfect place to find cold-water fish.

Between the months of November and May, all kinds of lake trout are available for catching. These include not only rainbow and brown trout but big lake trout, too. Bass can be caught during the summer, and the reservoir contains its share of largemouth and smallmouth bass. At other times during the year, anglers can try their luck against bluegill, channel catfish, redbreast sunfish and yellow perch.

4. Lake Hopatcong

The largest lake in New Jersey and shared between Morris and Sussex counties, Lake Hopatcong has an incredible diversity of fish species. Boaters and shoreline anglers alike can access the many freshwater hotspots around the lake.

During the warmer seasons, plenty of warm water species populate the lake. Along with the typical largemouth and smallmouth bass, others include sunfish, walleye, and pickerel. The colder seasons also come with their own select variety. New Jersey’s many trout species come to the cold water, ready to be hooked. Fall is especially a good time to fish for muskellunge and channel catfish.

5. Raritan River

The Raritan River runs for nearly 70 miles through six of New Jersey’s counties. It flows from fresh water sources in the north to the Atlantic Ocean’s salt water basin. As such, it enjoys a combination of fresh and saltwater fish species, which determined anglers can try and catch. The many hatcheries and estuaries available along its length also contribute to its wide pool.

Among its most common species of fish, the Raritan River includes largemouth, smallmouth and striped bass. New Jersey’s famous trout species also congregate in its waters. Panfish, carp and catfish can be found intermittently throughout the year as well. The river’s conditions are perfect for each species’ reproductive requirements, meaning that the ecosystem and population are self-sustainable and don’t need to be artificially restocked.

6. Island Beach State Park

Located in Seaside Park, New Jersey, Island Beach State Park is the preferred locale for saltwater anglers looking to fish in the ocean. It’s most notable for hosting the annual Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament, which has been held since 1992. In the tournament, competitors attempt to catch the largest fish overall, regardless of species.

Saltwater fishing is allowed everywhere except the designated swimming areas. Otherwise, anglers are free to catch what they want, where they want. Potential hauls include striped bass and bluefish, which can be caught through surf fishing, as well as weakfish, tautog, and flounder during the summer.

7. Point Pleasant

Ocean County’s Point Pleasant is yet another example of a vestige for saltwater fishermen. Along with the beach and boardwalk, it also has several locations for anglers to set up their rods and start catching.

These locations are great for whatever fishing experience you want to have. For instance, if you want to fish along the shore or by boat, you could try heading towards the Manasquan Inlet Wall. For surf fishing, you might try Maxson Avenue along the beachfront. The Point Pleasant Canal Access is also a good locale to experiment with bait and bobbers.

Either way, expect a healthy abundance of ocean fish to catch. Bluefish, striped bass and tautog are commonplace. One may also find fluke, sea bass and cod.

8. Union Lake

Millville’s Union Lake is considered South Jersey’s largest freshwater lake. It’s easy to see why, given its 898 acres of water. Anglers who want to fish on the lake itself can involve the services of the Union Lake Wildlife Management area, which offers boat launching for canoes, kayaks, and small boats. Those who instead want to fish from the shore or bank can do so, as well.

Many consider the lake as a prime spot for bass fishing. As such, largemouth and smallmouth bass are extremely common. Other fish include the black crappie, the pumpkinseed sunfish and the chain pickerel.

9. Ocean City

If you’re looking to fish along the pier, Ocean City is perhaps one of the best places to take your fishing rod and equipment. 9th Street, the Ocean City Fishing Club, and J. Edward Klingener Fishing Pier are three of the prominent piers for this activity. The Longport Bridge to the north also offers its own place.

If you’re looking for regular surf fishing, Ocean City certainly allows that. Bluefish, tautog, shark and kingfish populations are widely available. The beach offers its share of stripers when thousands of them pass through during the fall. Other species include flounder, rockfish, croakers, shad, sheephead and sea trout.

Feature image courtesy of Khalid Mehmood

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany High School FTC (First Tech Challenge) team “Redbots” has made it to the state-level competition after a successful performance in the regional competition on Saturday, February 4.

The team was awarded the “Design Award” and was named a Finalist Alliance Award recipient, highlighting their hard work and dedication to building a strong robot game.

Throughout the year, the “Redbots” team has been committed to promoting STEM education and awareness through various outreach initiatives and mentoring of a local FLL (FIRST Lego League) team. The team’s passion for STEM is evident in their commitment to their craft, and they are now seeking support from the community to continue their efforts.

Donations to the “Redbots” FTC team are tax-deductible and can be made through their 501(c)(3) setup.

Checks can be made payable to “PHS Redbots Supporters” and mailed to 24 Midvale Avenue, Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07054. The EIN# for tax deductions is #82-5416292.

In addition to seeking support, the “Redbots” team is also looking to recruit new members for the upcoming season. It encourages graduating middle and high school students to consider joining the club. This is a great opportunity for young students to pursue their passions for STEM/Robotics and be part of a team dedicated to promoting STEM education and awareness.

The Parsippany High School FTC team “Redbots” should be congratulated on their outstanding performance at the recent competition. The team’s commitment to promoting STEM education and their passion for their craft is truly inspiring, and we wish them the best of luck as they move forward in the competition.

PARSIPPANY — Alberto Vega, a graduate of Parsippany High School, has completed an extensive Policy Analyst Fellowship with the legislative office of Assemblywoman Aura Dunn. Assemblywoman Dunn’s office is in Chester, serving the constituents of Legislative District 25 in New Jersey. Vega is also a Graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Alberto is a first-generation college student and a quiet young man. Alberto cut through the noisy political world, proving that making a difference in public office is about doing the hard work of compassion. Alberto worked diligently to contribute to the enhancement of operations and, ultimately, the services provided to the 230,000 residents of the district.

Alberto released the following statement about his time with Assemblywoman Aura K. Dunn:

“I started interning for Assemblywoman Aura Dunn in October, and I have learned a tremendous amount in the past few months. This experience has given me a glimpse of what a future government career looks like.

One interesting part of my job was researching the various important subjects that concern the 25 legislative districts. I also enjoyed assisting the Assemblywoman and her staff by gathering news articles that were relevant to the district. Another responsibility I had included the opportunity to draft commemorative citations for well-deserving citizens in the area.

The longer I worked as an intern, the deeper my understanding of the district’s needs grew. At this point, I have memorized every municipality in the district.

This internship has given me months of valuable experience that will only help further my plans for a career in either the public or private sectors. I want to thank Assemblywoman Aura Dunn for giving me this opportunity. I am truly grateful for my time in her office.

I look forward to applying all that I learned in the District Office in my future.”