Politics & Government
Sparta OKs Veterans Cemetery Project
Council adds language to protect railroad right-of-way.
The Sparta Township Council approved a resolution last week supporting the creation of a veterans cemetery on a 60-acre parcel owned by Sussex County adjacent to the vocational technical school on Route 94.
The council had postponed a vote on the resolution at its last meeting until language was inserted into the document clearly preserving a railroad right of way on the property.
Councilman Jerry Murphy asked for the delayed vote until the resolution was amended.
On Tuesday he thanked the veterans for their patience while the resolution was amended.
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The resolution now says, “This consent is granted based upon the proper approvals from the Sparta Township Zoning Board of Adjustment, including, but not limited to, the retention of the existing railroad bed and any other agencies necessary to the operation of this cemetery.
A group of veterans aims to open a cemetery for veterans from Sussex, Warren, Passaic and Morris counties. The project has the approval of Sussex County.
Find out what's happening in Hopatcong-Spartawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In other action, the council indicated, after a long discussion with company officials, it plans to hire Millennium Strategies, a grants writing and planning company, to advise the township on possible grant opportunities, help craft the applications and help administer the grants to see that the township meets all the requirements of the funding programs.
Millennium has been assisting Hopatcong with grants for economic development, streetscapes and repairs to its senior center.
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