Mendham Township opens 'The Annex' community based building

By Observer~Tribune

Photo by Mendham Township

MENDHAM TWP. – Township Committee members held a ribbon cutting on Saturday, May 16 and officially opened The Annex, which was the site of Mendham Township's old police station on 3 Cherry Lane.

The building will serve as a space for rotating art shows, historic exhibitions, environmental education workshops, recreation programs, and more.

Enhancements to the outdoor space are also envisioned including: potentially installing a bike rack, an informational kiosk, creating a pathway along the Whippany River stream, and adding a rain garden, to name a few. Officials are planning a fundraising campaign to move ahead with those improvements without using township funds.

Mendham Township Committeewomen Tracey Moreen, Lauren Spirig, Duarte, Mayor Sarah Neibart, and Deputy Mayor Nick Monaghan were present at the ceremony, along with state Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, R-Morris.

"I often repeat the cliche that the wheels of government turn slowly, because they do. It's been a long journey to get here," Committeewoman Amalia Duarte said to the audience. "The Annex has the potential to be much more than just a building. It has the potential to become a community hub and what's called a 'third place.' This is a term coined by an American sociologist to describe anchors of cities and towns that foster civic engagement, connections, and help build a richer community life. Places where residents see old friends, meet new acquaintances, and interact with each other in a relaxed, informal setting. The Brookside Post Office is a great example of a local 'third place.'

“I hope The Annex lives up to its vision statement to become a unifying space for residents, connecting people, nature, and purpose in service to our community's future."

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