Mendham Twp Closer to School Study Action

The Mendham Township Committee took another step towards a decision on funding the feasibility study on the dissolution of the regional school district last week by advancing the draft of a joint referendum on the topic.

"Our thought is to come up with a reasonable plan that makes sense, so if money is spent it would be to a purpose that makes sense and not just another study gathering dust on a shelf," Committeeman Sam Tolley said.

The plan is to come up with a document that could be circulated to other Mendham and the two Chesters in an attempt to gauge interest so that if the process does move forward there is a noted level of interest in the study. That document is almost complete.

Mayor Richard Merkt said that a few minor details still need to be hammered out by attorney John Mills, but the study will be memorialized at the committee's next meeting on May 13.

The main detail that needs to be tinkered with is whether or not the group can accept private funding for the study, but Mills said he will amend the language so that shan't be an issue.

The committee agreed both that the township will set aside the previously-agreed-upon sum of $10,000 for the study and that each participating town should ante up an equal contribution.

This may prove problematic as for the study, for the study and at a recent meeting Mendham Township was .

"I don't really see [equal contribution], but on the other hand I don't want to block funds," Merkt said.