Atlantic will pay the city $795,400 a year starting this year and ending in 2023.

TRENTON -- Summit officials and Overlook Medical Center reached a settlement Tuesday night that boosts the city's budget by about $800,000 a year until 2023, and allows the hospital to keep its nonprofit, tax-exempt status.

The agreement is the fourth Atlantic Health System -- Overlook's owner -- has reached with the communities that host its various hospitals in north Jersey in lieu of paying property taxes.

A tax court judge in 2015 ruled that portions of Morristown Medical Center, Atlantic's flagship facility, operated like a for-profit enterprise. The ruling said based on its executive perks and revenue figures that Morristown was entitled to challenge the hospital's nonprofit status. The hospital relied on the city's public safety and public works department and other municipal services but was not expected to pay for them.  

N.J. towns sue 35 hospitals over property taxes

Judge Vito Bianco's ruling has spawned dozens of tax appeals, creating fear among New Jersey's many privately run, nonprofit hospitals they could lose their tax-exempt status. 

As of May, 41 municipalities had filed tax appeals against nonprofit hospitals. 

Atlantic will pay the city $795,400 a year starting this year and ending in 2023, according to the announcement released by Overlook's President Alan Lieber and Common Council President Mike McTernan following the council's vote.

"We greatly value the partnership that Overlook Medical Center has with the community of Summit, and we recognize the responsibility we have," Lieber said in a statement. "This agreement reflects our ongoing commitment to contribute not only as health care providers, but as good neighbors."

McTernan said the settlement was "beneficial for our taxpayers and is a testament to the outstanding community partner Atlantic Health System continues to be in our city."

Atlantic Health paid Morristown a $15.5 million settlement. It also operates Newton Medical Center and settled with Newton last year, agreeing to pay $135,050 the first year and increasing the amount by 2 percent annually until 2020, according to a report by the New Jersey Herald.

Atlantic settled with Hackettstown, on behalf of Hackettstown Medical Center, although hospital officials did not have the details immediately Tuesday night.

When the Morristown decision was first announced, hospital executives panicked, fearing they would face steep budget shortfalls if they had to pay taxes. Legislators passed a bill last session that would have imposed a $2.50 per day hospital bed fee and a $250 per day fee for each satellite emergency care facility, but Christie rejected it. 

Sen. Paul Sarlo  (D-Bergen) introduced a similar bill in the spring but it has not gotten a vote.

Susan K. Livio may be reached at slivio@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SusanKLivio. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

Clinton Area Stage Troupe will present the musical Godspell from July 26-29, 2017, in the North Hunterdon High School theater in Annandale.

ANNANDALE - Clinton Area Stage Troupe will present the musical Godspell from Wednesday to Saturday in the North Hunterdon High School theater.

Playwright John-Michael Tebelak and composer Stephen Schwartz created Godspell in 1971 as an upbeat musical based on the Gospel of Matthew. CAST's production is the version used in the Broadway revival in 2012. The show is produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

A special feature in this year's production is a slide show depicting local volunteer groups in various aspects of community service, according to a news release.

The slide show will accompany the number sung by Jesus, "Beautiful City." Candid shots of the activities of service groups such as America's Grow-A-Row, Life Choices' "Grandma's House" and the MLK Day of Service are included in the presentation.

About 50 local residents are involved in the production.

Youth theatre performs Disney's My Son Pinocchio (PHOTOS)

Bruce Cargill of Clinton Township stars in the role of Jesus, with Graham Lundeen, also of Clinton Township, in the supporting role of John the Baptist/Judas.

The eleven apostles are portrayed by Katie Burns of Washington, Peggy Button of Flemington, Kathryn Cargill of Clinton Township, Tom Farber of High Bridge, Steve Hill and Brittany Hill of Alexandria Township, Andy Kapetanakis of Clinton Township, Amanda Livesey of Whitehouse Station, Kathy Snow of Jutland, Mariah Thompson of Phillipsburg, and Michael Waskiewicz of Clinton. The ensemble is divided into philosophers and disciples.

Playing the roles of philosophers are local residents Bob Adams, Debbie Burns, James Craig, Jeanne Resua Dunham, Mike Garyantes, Lynne Healey, Keith LeBoeuf, Bill LePore, and Cate Mattison.

The disciples are played by area residents Chris Adams, Heidi Cimilluca, Dale Dabour, Sarah Farber, Amanda Fischer, Karissa Haney, George Kapetanakis, Jim Knight, Jake Maglio, Daisy Parker, Marilena Parker, Lisa Postiglione, Margaret Ricketts, Meg Slutter, Steve Slutter, and Hannah Willsey.

The show is produced and directed by Mary Ennis Meo of Clinton. The vocal director is Kathy Snow, and choreographers are Sarah Farber of High Bridge and Nicole Kepner of Scotch Plains.

Ronna Hill of Alexandria Township stage manages the show, and Diane Lehnert and Linda Lauchaire, both of Clinton Township, are associate producers. Kateri Swavely-Verenna of Easton, Pa., conducts the orchestra.

Performances are on Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday at 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets, at $14 for general admission, and $9 for senior citizens (over age 65) and children (age 11 years and younger), can be purchased at the door, or ordered ahead by sending an email to cast.shows@yahoo.com. For more information, patrons may call CAST at 908-303-8742 or visit the website.

The 46-year-old is from Washington Borough.

Lopatcong Township police on Wednesday morning identified the man who died Tuesday at a township plastics manufacturing business.

Noel Oquendo, 46, of Washington, died after an incident involving him trying to resolve an issue with a machine he was using, police Chief Jason Garcia said.

Oquendo was struck in the head, but Garcia didn't have a cause and manner of the Berry Plastics employee's death. The Morris County medical examiner will make that determination.

Man dies in industrial accident

Oquendo was working at a machine that printed labels for plastic bottles before they were shipped, Garcia said Tuesday.

What Garcia termed an industrial accident inside the business at 190 Stryker Road is being investigated by OSHA.

A local manager for the Evansville, Indiana-based corporation didn't return a phone call on Tuesday.

Tony Rhodin may be reached at arhodin@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyRhodin. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Police said they recognized the suspect from surveillance footage. Watch video

A Phillipsburg man was arraigned Wednesday in the July 5 burglary at Bank Street Creamery in Easton.

Richard T. Crumpler (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com) 

Richard T. Crumpler, who turns 19 next week, allegedly broke a window on the front door to enter the Downtown ice cream shop while it was closed.

Crumper, of the 200 block of Chambers Street, stole $220 from the cash register, police said.

An Easton police officer recognized Crumpler as the burglar in surveillance footage provided by the business, and Crumpler admitted to the crime, court records say.

He was arraigned before District Judge Richard Yetter III on felony counts of burglary and criminal trespass, in addition to misdemeanor theft and summary criminal mischief.

Crumpler was sent to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $50,000 bail and faces a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled Aug. 7 before District Judge Antonia Grifo.

Creamery burglary believed to be a 1st

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Gov. Christ Christie has announced that New Jersey will become the third state in the nation to prohibit the sale of tobacco and electronic smoking devices to anyone under 21.

It's impossible to calculate how many lives Gov. Chris Christie and state legislators saved with the stroke of a pen last week, but let's just agree with scientists that the numbers are awesome.

On Friday, the governor announced that New Jersey will become the third state in the nation to prohibit the sale of tobacco and electronic smoking devices to anyone under 21.

Sen. Joseph Vitale (D-Middlesex), a sponsor of the bill setting the age restriction, says the federal government estimates that 700 children under the age of 18 become regular smokers each day.

Each. Day.

And one third of them are expected to die of tobacco-related illnesses.

Let's face it: Raising the age when young people can legally put their hands on their Camels or Virginia Slims won't totally keep them from lighting up.

Chris Christie did something he says will save lives

But putting road blocks in their way makes it a lot tougher, and may stop an impressionable teenager from taking the first deadly puff.

"The parts of the brain most responsible for decision-making, impulse control, sensation seeking, and susceptibility to peer pressure continue to develop and change through young adulthood," the Institute of Medicine reported in 2015.

"And adolescent brains are uniquely susceptible to the effects of nicotine."

In joining California and Hawaii in raising the age of tobacco and e-cigarette sales, the Garden State is making the strong statement that the health of its residents matters.

We give Christie and the state's lawmakers credit for standing up to convenience-store owners and other retailers, who fretted that the measure would cost them millions of dollars, not just from the lost sales of cigarettes, but also from revenues from peripheral items such as sandwiches and drinks that young shoppers might buy.

But our sympathy pales in comparison with the horror of death by lung cancer, emphysema and heart disease - ailments long associated with tobacco use.

The Institute of Medicine, established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, says that among adults who become daily smokers, approximately 90 percent report the first use of cigarettes before reaching the age of 19.

The public-health implications of the new policy are enormous.

"Making it harder to buy cigarettes by raising the age to legally purchase them ... will help prevent our youth from becoming lifelong smokers," Vitale said.

State Sen. Richard Codey (D-Essex) first sponsored the age-restriction bill in 2013. We're grateful he and his colleagues persisted.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.

There's more than the shore for summer fun in New Jersey.

It's easy to understand why summer is a super season in the Garden State; there's just so much to do in N.J. when the weather is warm.

Of course, we can all go "down the shore" and enjoy a dip in the ocean, a ride at an amusement pier or a stroll on the boardwalk. But there are plenty of other fun things to do in New Jersey in the hot summer months.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

We have mountain lakes and streams for swimming and fishing as well as inlets and bays for boating and crabbing. We've got golf courses, tennis courts, playgrounds, fairs, festivals and food. And sometimes, the best things to be can be found in a backyard or local park; it's all there for the enjoying.

Here's a look at summertime fun in New Jersey through the years. Want more? Here are links to previous galleries.

Vintage photos of the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer in N.J.

Vintage photos of wet 'n wild summer fun in N.J.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

The Independence Township police chief retired after 25 years. Watch video

After 25 years, Independence Township police Chief Dennis Riley signed off for the last time.

The Warren County department posted the milestone on YouTube, memorializing the chief's final exit to salutes and bagpipes.

Independence Township police Chief Dennis Riley helps load a police vehicle with donated food during a 'Cram the Cruiser' food drive in 2013. (lehighvalleylive.com file photo) 

Riley was a sergeant in 2007 when he was named to head the department that serves the township of about 5,500 people just west of Hackettstown. He and partner Rex comprised the department's K-9 unit from 2003 until Rex was put down in 2008 due to health problems.

Chief Keith Aiello is now in command of the township police.

Dennis Riley works with Rex, the Independence Township police dog, in 2003. (lehighvalleylive.com file photo) 

Audio of Riley's final radio call to dispatch plays over the end of the department's video.

"God bless you for what you do," Riley says. "Stay safe, and thank you."

Dispatch responds: "The Independence Township police department would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Chief Dennis Riley for service the citizens of Independence Township with great pride and integrity for the past 25 years. The dedication and contributions you made to the Independence Township police department and community will continue long after today. It's been a pleasure serving with you."

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Police are asking for help identifying who has been setting off fireworks, writing obscenities on cars and ringing doorbells. Watch video

A pair of surveillance videos may show who has been terrorizing a Warren County neighborhood of late.

Since July 4, one or more people have been causing mischief around Mansfield Township's Kensington development, according to township police. Obscenities have been written on cars, soccer goals put on top of stop signs. The culprit (or culprits) have been setting off fireworks and ringing doorbells.

Police on Thursday released two surveillance videos from July 16 and July 26, each showing a young man with his face concealed while running around properties.

Anyone who can identify the person in the videos or has any other information about the case is asked to contact the Mansfield Township police department at 908-689-6222.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The 2017 fair runs July 29 to Aug. 5. Watch video

Livestock, cars, tractor pulls -- it's fair season in Warren County.

The Warren County Farmers' Fair, which also includes a hot air balloon festival, kicks off its 80th year starting July 29 and runs through Aug. 5.

Here is a quick rundown of some vital fair information. More details can be found at www.warrencountyfarmersfair.org and on the event's Facebook page.

Where and when

The fairgrounds are on Route 519 in Harmony Township. The fair runs from noon to 10 p.m. daily, and gates open at 11 a.m.

Admission

Generally, it is $7 for adults, $4 for children ages 5-12 and free for children 4 and under. All children are free before 4 p.m. on weekdays. Admission is cash only. There is no charge for parking.

Farmers' fair plans reunion of queens

Schedule highlights

Saturday, July 29

• 8 a.m.-6 p.m.: Wrestling tournament
• 11 a.m.: Official fair kickoff

Sunday, July 30

• 11 a.m.-4 p.m: Warren Hills FFA Alumni 12th Annual Car Show
• 6 p.m.: Demolition derby 

Monday, July 31

• 5-8 p.m.: Antique car show
• 7 p.m: Fair Queen & Princess Competition

Tuesday, Aug. 1

• 12:30 p.m.: Cutest baby contest
• 7 p.m: Diesel truck pull
• 7 p.m.: Talent show

Wednesday, Aug. 2

• 5 p.m.: Past fair queen reunion
• 6:30 p.m.: Stock/hot stock tractor pull
• 7:30 p.m.: Open pet show

Thursday, Aug. 3

• 6-9 p.m.: Motorcycle show
• 7 p.m.: 4-Wheel drive truck pull

Friday, Aug. 4

• 2:30 p.m.: Hay bale-rolling contest -- farm edition
• 8 p.m.: Demolition derby

Saturday, Aug. 5

• Noon-2 p.m.: ATV mud bog
• 4 p.m.: Mud bog competition

PHOTOS: 2017 Plainfield fair demolition derby

Balloon festival

Up to 30 hot air balloons will launch every night at 6:30 p.m., weather permitting. Balloon rides are $205 per person on weekends and $195 per person on weekdays. Tethered rides for $10 a person will be offered as conditions allow.

Hare-and-hound races -- where balloonists will try to drop bean bags on a giant X left by a lead balloon -- will be at launch time both weekends. A bicycle-and-balloon race is scheduled for Wednesday, when a cyclist rides in a balloon for a set time, then bike back to the fairgrounds from wherever they land.

More information on the balloon festival can be found at www.balloonfestnj.com.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Find out how many DWI arrests were made in each town.

Jeffrey Grenyo, 20, was a teaching assistant for a summer enrichment program hosted by the Easton college.

Jeffrey Grenyo had a promising future, and he was helping others to have the same.

He was eighth in his class of 420 when he graduated Phillipsburg High School in 2014, and was studying engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. This summer, he was working as a teaching assistant with the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, a prestigious summer enrichment program for K-12 students hosted at Lafayette College in Easton.

The 20-year-old Grenyo, of Greenwich Township, was found dead Wednesday on campus.

The circumstances around his death have not been disclosed, but authorities have said it is not suspicious.

"We are all tremendously saddened at the loss of this young life, and have been in touch with the family as well as the on-site Johns Hopkins CTY program staff to offer our sympathy and support," Lafayette College President Alison Byerly said in a letter to the campus community that night.

Phillipsburg School District Superintendent Greg Troxell reflected on Grenyo and his time at P'burg High in a tribute posted to Facebook on Friday morning, remembering him as "among our most elite students in the Class of 2014," a young man whose accomplishments included membership in the National Honor Society, the Academic Team and an AP scholarship.

"I humbly served as Jeff's principal all four years he attended PHS. I can say with all my heart that Jeffrey was highly respected by our staff and his peers and was an absolute true shining star during his years at Phillipsburg High School," Troxell said in the post.

"On behalf of the entire Phillipsburg School District, I wish the Grenyo Family my heartfelt condolences on their loss! May all of their friendships and prayers ease them through this difficult time," he continued. "Jeff will be deeply missed by our entire Stateliner Family!"

Jeffrey Genyo is survived by his parents Peter and Beverly, his younger brother Ryan, and other relatives.

His obituary says calling hours will be 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at the Finegan Funeral Home, 924 Second Ave. in Alpha.

Lehighvalleylive.com staff writer Tony Rhodin contributed to this report.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The 45-year-old is wanted on a charge of leaving the scene of a car crash, according to the Warren County Prosecutor's Office.

Marcos M. Ramirez (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com) 

Marcos M. Ramirez, 45, is wanted on a charge of leaving the scene of a crash, under a warrant dated Feb. 24, 2017, according to the Warren County Prosecutor's Office.

Ramirez, whose last-known address was in the first block of Water Street in Vienna, N.J., is described as 5 feet 4 inch tall and 175 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

The prosecutor's office asks anyone with information about Ramirez to contact investigators via a tip line at 908-475-6643, the fugitive unit at 908-475-6272 or via fugitive@co.warren.nj.us.

A new bill outlining protections for transgender students became even more meaningful when President Donald Trump abruptly threw transgender members of the military under the bus by banning them from serving their country.

It's not an exaggeration to say that a bill Gov. Chris Christie signed last week outlining protections for transgender students is a huge victory for equal rights - and compassion.

Garden State Equality, one of the state's premiere human-rights advocacy groups, was right to thank the governor for standing "on the right side of history" in approving the measure.

The move became even more meaningful when President Donald Trump, in a classic example of being on the wrong side of history, abruptly threw transgender members of the military under the bus by banning them from serving their country.

It was a stunningly cruel announcement, which flew in the face of Candidate Trump's promise to support the LGBT community.

In stark contrast, Gov. Christie also signed additional legislation last week prohibiting health insurers from denying transgender individuals health-care coverage based on gender.

The dual measures give the state tools it needs to fight discrimination and violence against a population that too often faces both.

Who is unworthy to serve? Not transgender people | Editorial

The education bill, which takes effect immediately, requires the state education commission to draft guidelines to help schools address the needs of transgender students.

Specifically, administrators will be instructed that they cannot force transgender students to use bathrooms or locker rooms that conflict with their gender identity, and that students should be addressed by the name or pronoun they prefer, whether or not a legal name change has taken place.

Under the new law, schools also must allow students to dress according to their gender identity, and must create plans to assure the confidentiality of a student's transgender or transition status.

The goal is to make schools a safer place for transgender youths, frequently the subject of cruel, unrelenting bullying.

Democratic legislators introduced the bill after the White House reversed federal guidelines President Obama had put in place ordering public schools to let transgender students use bathrooms and locker rooms that are consistent with their gender identity.

Meanwhile, the other legislation Christie signed July 21 bans insurers from denying, cancelling, limiting or refusing to issue a new contract or policy based on an applicant's gender identity or expression, or to demand a payment based on a covered person's gender identity.

"This is not just a matter of right and wrong; it's a matter of life and death," said Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen), one of the bill's sponsors.

Despite these victories, the LGBT world can't become complacent, and neither can its advocates. When hard-won progress is endangered, complacency isn't an option.

That's the message we drew from Trump's ugly and heavy-handed action this week.

There are always haters out there, and too many transgender young people are driven to depression, isolation and suicide by their vicious actions.

Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook.

Several rescue boats could be seen on the water, a witness reported.

A man and his dog were rescued by crews Saturday afternoon after his sailboat capsized on the Merrill Creek Reservoir.

New Jersey State Police in Washington said the incident occurred at 1:40 p.m. near the main dam on the south side of the reservoir in Harmony Township. The man and his large dog then fell into the water; both were wearing life vests, police said.

Harmony Township firefighters worked to rescue the man and dog. The sail boat was towed back to the boat launch on the north side of the reservoir. The man nor the dog were injured in the incident, police said.

Police said the area is typical for sailing. The scene was cleared by 3:25 p.m. Saturday.

Also responding were New Jersey State Police, the Franklin Township Fire Department's Emergency Medical Services Division and the Merrill Creek Owners Group.

The Merrill Creek Reservoir is a 650-acre reservoir surrounded by a 290-acre environmental preserve, as well as 2,000 additional acres of woods and fields. Its basic purpose is to provide stored water that can be released into the Delaware River to make up for evaporated water usage at certain electric generating units in times of low flow in the river, according to its website.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Consider adopting from a shelter or rescue for your next pet.

Some notes on homeless animals in New Jersey:

* According to the State of New Jersey Office of Animal Welfare, "it is estimated that the number of free-roaming cats in the United States may be equal to that of owned cats, approximately 70 million. If left unchecked, free-roaming cats will breed and their populations increase at locations where they find suitable shelter and food."

The office goes on to note that pet cats that are abandoned will not easily fend for themselves outdoors. Unfortunately, most of these cats and their offspring will suffer premature death from disease, starvation or trauma.

* Among shelters and rescue groups around New Jersey, the top 10 reasons for owners relinquishing a dog are: (1) moving; (2) landlord issues (3) cost of pet maintenance; (4) "no time for pet;" (5) inadequate facilities; (6) "too many pets in home;" (7) pet illness; (8) "personal problems;" (9) biting; and (10) no homes for litter-mates.

Other interesting facts from the Office of Animal Welfare:

* As many as 25 percent of dogs entering shelters across the country each year are purebreds.

* One unspayed female cat and her unaltered offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years.

Here is a gallery of homeless animals from northern and central New Jersey. Consider visiting a local shelter or contacting a local rescue group when looking for a pet for your family.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

The Phillipsburg High School grad has founded three companies, sold one and bought a Maserati all before starting college.

Zachary Liptak's first invention was a car powered by the sun and wind. He crafted it out of clay when he was eight years old.

Zachary Liptak (Courtesy photo) 

He sent letters describing the idea to car companies. There was no response. But his ideas didn't stop, nor his desire to own his own business and a sports car -- goals he met before even starting college.

Liptak graduated Phillipsburg High School in June with a resume already more varied than most adults'. The 19-year-old is about to begin his freshman year at Ohio's Kent State University already having founded three companies.

He sold one of them, a small advertising business, for $150,000 last winter. Some of that went to a Maserati.

The rest was invested into the third company, his brainchild -- a new social media app that was planned to launch Friday via Apple.

It is called Vooster, a social network that acts as a video-based scrapbook.

The idea is that users can post videos privately or share them publicly, their posts logged by date so they can be revisited later. It also verifies users' ages and separates those under 18 from those who are older, which Liptak said will hopefully prevent cyberbullying and other problems.

"We want to make a social network that everyone wants to use," he said last week ahead of a launch party Friday at his family's home in Lopatcong Township.

Developing the app

Examples of Vooster's menu, home page and tagging function. (Courtesy images) 

Vooster started as Chapters, a social networking experiment Liptak said he first developed in his sophomore year of high school.

Through surveys of his peers and interviews with people more knowledgable of the technology, a beta version was developed and went out for select testing in March, Liptak said.

While he solicited advice and investments, the student started an advertising firm where he coordinated with companies to develop vinyl advertisements affixed to cars. The sale of that company helped fund Vooster. (He had a third business in which he films aerial videos via drone for clients to use in promotional materials.)

Liptak trademarked Vooster, which has its own website, www.vooster.co, and a page for potential backers on the Angel Investment Network.

Ahead of Friday's planned launch, Liptak said he was Vooster's only registered employee, though he has a number of advisers and contracts with a coding and marketing company. He plans to expand to eight employees by the end of Vooster's first year, and 16 by the second.

Friday's launch party -- which was to mostly include family and friends, and a red-carpet-style photo backdrop made by Liptak's mom -- was also seen as a chance to begin expanding Vooster's use, with the mostly college-aged guests bringing the app back to their peers.

After the launch, Liptak said there were some bugs with the sign-up service. More aggressive promotion will ensue after that has been addressed, he said.

Liptak's goal for the first month is to have 1,000 active data users. By year's end, he wants one million.

P'burg pride

The Vooster launch event was held July 28, 2017, at founder Zachary Liptak's home in Lopatcong Township. (Courtesy photo) 

Liptak never told them about the advertising company. Not until the Maserati showed up in the driveway.

"I was awestruck," said his mom Judy, a middle school special education teacher in Hunterdon County. She and husband Doug couldn't help fund Vooster, so their son had found another way.

They had raised Zach to be a creative kid, limiting his TV and video games but giving him reign over the entire basement, where Judy said he would build replicas of cities they had visited. (They always figured he would be an architect.)

Liptak's former high school principal in an email praised the former student council class president's leadership and business acumen.

"He was a highly courteous, conscientious and sincere individual. ... Zach's teachers, advisors, and classmates also noticed his outstanding demeanor and, thus, held him in their highest regard," said Greg Troxell, who is now the Phillipsburg School District superintendent. He wrote that Liptak's peers spoke highly of his ability to listen.

"Zach has an entrepreneurial mindset and will be an outstanding leader in whatever industry he finds success himself," Troxell said, "because he is humbly, but incredibly driven and his most valuable assets are his honesty and integrity."

Judy Liptak said she has been proud to watch her son handle phone calls with lawyers, contractors and investors. But, as a parent, there is always a lingering nervousness about the challenges and inevitable pitfalls he will face.

"There's no parenting book that tells you how to parent an 18-year-old who's done all this," Judy Liptak said, adding they as parents will do their best to keep him grounded but provide opportunities.

"I hope it all works out the way he dreams it will work out," she said.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

Tickets are limited and available only to 7th Congressional District residents.

Constituents of New Jersey's 7th Congressional District have a chance this week to ask questions of and hear from U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance, his office announced Monday.

The Republican whose district includes Hunterdon and southern Warren counties, is holding his 45th in-person town hall 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the John LaPorta Theater at Warren County Technical School, 1500 Route 57 in Franklin Township, Warren County.

According to the announcement: "During the town hall meeting, Lance will take questions on the important issues facing Congress and the American people. Lance will discuss his leadership role in imposing sanctions against Russia, his involvement in a bipartisan health care solution, the federal budget, tax reform and foreign affairs.

"Additionally, members of Lance's staff will be available to assist residents who are experiencing difficulties with federal agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, Veterans Affairs, the State Department or any other federal agency."

Tweets not the way to set policy, Dent says

The town hall is free, but tickets are required and are only available to district residents. They will be made available on a first-come-first-served basis at Lance's website, lance.house.gov, beginning at noon Wednesday. There is a limit of two tickets per online entry.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The Centenary University Cyclones will touch down on a new, blue home field in spring 2018.

Next spring, the Centenary University Cyclones will touch down on a new home field, one that will be unique among baseball diamonds.

The Hackettstown institution is building what it says is the world's first blue baseball field, with the artificial turf matching the school's colors.

The $2 million project will provide the Cyclones with a home field -- they usually play at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater or at other local fields -- and the community a place to hold various functions, university leaders said in a news release.

"This facility will function as a hub for baseball in the region," President David P. Haney said. "This will raise Centenary's visibility while boosting the local economy and providing a facility that can be used by many organizations in the community."

Boise State had a blue football field, seen here in a 2010 game, but Centenary University says it is building the first blue baseball field. (AP file photo/The Idaho Statesman, Joe Jaszewski) 

Centenary is not the first to try a color other than green for its field, though it does appear the first to go blue. A 2015 post in The Baseball Journal blog (headlined "Will We Ever See a Blue Baseball Field?") cites the University of Northwestern Ohio's cardinal red turf on its infield and foul territory, and notes the unique colors of the Boise State and Eastern Washington football fields.

The blog surmises the field colors could "be seen as a home-field advantage since visiting teams will have had no prior experience with the unique playing conditions," especially if the home team's uniforms match the field color.

Vintage photos of Centenary U. over 150 years

Centenary is holding fundraisers to defray the cost of the field. Sponsorships and naming opportunities are available for dugouts, seating, the scoreboard, the field itself and other parts of the baseball complex, the news release says. The university is also holding a raffle drawing at $50 a ticket with the chance to win a 2017 Jeep Renegade Sport.

Anyone interested in donations or a raffle ticket is asked to contact the university's advancement office at 908-852-1400 ext. 2336 or email russelle01@centenaryuniversity.edu.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

The NJSIAA announced the revised high school football classifications for the 2017 season on Tuesday.

All are planning separate stops, including a town hall meeting.

While not usually much of a political battleground, Warren County appears to be a popular spot for congressmen this week.

These three are planning separate stops in the county between Wednesday and Saturday, including a town hall-style event.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer: The Democrat whose district includes Warren's northern half will be paying a visit to the Warren County Farmers' Fair around midday Wednesday, where he will talk with residents, check out exhibits and attend a tractor pull, according to his office. This follows a meet-and-greet event 10 a.m. at River Star Diner in Hackettstown. He's held similar events -- dubbed "Cup of Joe With Josh" -- at diners around the district, including at least one other in Warren County in May.

Freeholder considers challenging Gottheimer

Rep. Leonard Lance: Residents can pose questions to the Republican representing southern Warren when he holds a town hall meeting 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the John LaPorta Theater at Warren County Technical School in Franklin Township. According to the announcement, the congressman will take questions and "discuss his leadership role in imposing sanctions against Russia, his involvement in a bipartisan health care solution, the federal budget, tax reform and foreign affairs." Office staff will also be present to help residents having difficulty with federal agencies.

1 local pick for N.J. GOP chair replaced with another

Sen. Cory Booker: The Democrat is tentatively scheduled to stop by Phillipsburg on Saturday. Details of the visit are still being finalized but it is part of a recently launched tour of all New Jersey's 21 counties, according to his office.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.