Mendham EC picks Mosle Field for 2026 reforestation, raises quality concerns about First Energy donation

The Mendham Township Environmental Commission selected Mosle Field as the town’s target for its 2026 reforestation project and moved to seek a 2026 Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) grant to fund a separate Dismal Harmony trail remediation project.

Kriss Replogle, who will take over as commission chair following Richard Smith’s departure, said the Trails subcommittee recommended using an ANJEC grant to support remediation work at the Township-owned section of the East Main Street trail that runs north from the trailhead. The remediation is planned to be executed as an Eagle Scout project; the commission will ask the Township Committee to approve the grant application on March 23.

For reforestation, the commission has been offered a materials-and-labor donation from First Energy similar to a 2025 project. Members raised concerns about the quality of materials: the donation package currently limits plant stakes to approximately $10 each. The commission discussed the option of either asking First Energy to allow purchase of higher-quality stakes or buying replacements itself if necessary. The commission is awaiting a response from First Energy before moving forward.

The subcommittee selected Mosle Field over Dismal Harmony as the preferred reforestation site, citing Department of Public Works resource constraints that made Mosle Field more practical this season. A tree-planting event is tentatively scheduled for April 15; final acceptance of donated materials and scheduling are contingent on Township Committee approval.

The next procedural step is for Kriss and Sarah Neibart to present the JCP&L tree-planting proposal and the ANJEC grant application to the Township Committee on March 23 for formal approval to proceed. If the committee approves, the commission will finalize logistics for the April planting and confirm whether higher-quality stakes will be supplied or purchased.