DUI Lawyers in Andover, NJ

An Amtrak stop in Andover has been dismissed by the Federal Railroad Administration, according to a letter sent to Amtrak's chief executive officer from Congressman Josh Gottheimer.

In the Jan. 12 letter to Stephen Gardner, the congressman expressed "strong opposition" to the decision and asked for reconsideration "in light of the extraordinary transit needs of the area and economic benefits" that a station would provide.

Gottheimer noted that the line, which is already funded to rebuild rail tracks along the former Lackawanna Cutoff, is estimated to bring $84 million in economic benefits to the region, which, he said is Amtrack's own estimate.

The rail line also said the train route would mean fewer cars on the road, reducing vehicle emissions and pollution.

He also noted that NJ Transit is already at work extending its line (which would be shared by Amtrack) westward from the southern end of Lake Hopatcong with that line ending at Andover, where a train station and associated parking lot is under construction.

NJ Transit's project also includes new track through an enlarged Roseville Tunnel, just to the east of the Andover station location.

Noting that Sussx County is a "transit desert," he noted that many residents, businesses and local elected officials across Sussex County have told him of "the urgent need for more transportation options to New York City."

He went on to ask: "Why would Amtrak limit transportation options at a time of historic infrastructure investment?"

The congressman represents NJ District 5 which includes northern Sussex County, much of Bergen County and parts of Passaic County. Working with him is Congressman Matt Cartwright whose Pennsylvania district includes most of the route from the Delaware Water Gap northward to Scranton.

Andover Mayor Thomas Walsh called the lack of an Amtrak stop at the station "a kick in the teeth to the people who did all the work."

Approval for the NJ Transit station was a hard sell and involved the township going through environmental hoops. One "roadblock" was rerouting a culvert which carries a stream under town-owned Rosendale Road which is the access road to the station.

That stream flows to the back of the proposed rail line and needed to be moved to make room for the station. "We as a town negotiated the culvert deal to get this rail line back to fruition," the mayor explained.

Gottheimer's office said Friday morning they have received an acknowledgment from Amtrak of receipt of the letter, but no further response at this time.

The NYC-Scranton corridor is being funded by the Bipartisan Intrastructure Bill which includes $66 billion in rail service nationwide, including $22 billion directly to Amtrak.

"I request you do not leave a gap in planning and you provide full support to the Corridor's project sponsors as they develop a scope, schedule and cost estimates," the letter asks.

Sussex County residents have the longest average commute in all of New Jersey and the NJTransit extension to Andover is considered an investment to provide alternatives to automobile commuting for many.

The Amtrak route would use NJ Transit rails up to Andover, follow the Cutoff to cross the Delaware River at the Delaware Water Gap, then head northwestward to Scranton on existing freight rails. That track would be upgraded to passenger rail standards.

The Andover stop would have been between stops in Mount Arlington and Blairstown. Other stops to the west would include the Pennsylvania side of the water gap, then one in East Stroudsburg. Stops to the east of Mount Arlington are along the current NJ Transit lines.

The current plan would include several daily roundtrips from Scranton to New York City with one-way time of just under three hours. Trains will be able to reach up to 100 mph along the Lackawanna Cutoff and ridership is expected to be up to 470,000 riders per year.

As of late Thursday, Gottheimer's office said there has been no response from Gardner's office.

Copies of the letter were also sent to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, Amtrak and NJ Transit officials and NJ Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti.

Town residents cheered when Andover’s Shane Lachance, a Boston University star hockey player, scored the second goal in this year’s Frozen Four final. Soon, they hope to see him light the lamp in the NHL.

Lachance signed an entry-level contract on April 16 to play in the New Jersey Devils organization, where his father is head of U.S. scouting. He is expected to begin his professional playing career at the start of next season. A sought-after prospect, Lachance first was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in round six of the 2021 draft, and in March had his draft rights traded to the Devils.

“Shane is someone who is a role model in the community,’’ said Timothy Bennett, president of Andover Hockey Association, where Lachance played growing up. “It is nice to see a kid who did play for his town as a kid, and even played for his public high school for a season or two, develop and continue on at this level.”

The town has been rooting for Lachance since he was a young skater, and college rink fans have witnessed his quick rise at BU. He was the youngest captain in Terriers history.

“It’s all positive — they’re very positive about any local kid who does well. They just love to hear good things about the local kids. [The kids] look up to these players like Lachance, and that’s what keeps them interested,” said Francis McCarthy, who has been watching Lachance’s every move with patients who come to his dental office in Andover.

This story was published as part of a collaboration between Andover News and the Department of Journalism in Boston University’s College of Communication. The student journalist is a member of Professor Meghan E. Irons’s Reporting in Depth class.

McCarthy’s own family has a similar story to Lachance’s. His son, John McCarthy, was also an Andover youth hockey player, who succeeded at BU and then went on to play 88 games in the NHL.

“Andover is a very supportive town,’’ said McCarthy. “They do everything they can to make sure their children can be successful at whatever they’re doing. The Andover community is a great place for kids to grow up. Whether it be sports or whatever else the kids are interested in, they are supportive.”

Lachance hails from a storied Terrier legacy that began from his grandfather, Jack Parker, who was a legendary coach for BU from 1973-2013. Parker led the Terriers to three national championships, 21 Beanpots, seven Hockey East titles, and amassed 897 wins with a .634 win percentage.

Then came Shane’s father, Scott Lachance, who played for the Terriers during the 1990-91 season and went on to become the fourth overall pick by the New York Islanders in the NHL draft. Scott then played over 800 games in the NHL over 13 seasons. Scott’s brother, Bob Lachance, also played for the Terriers from 1992-1996 and won one national championship.

Gerry Nideen, who coached Shane Lachance at Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts, said he recognized Lachance’s talents and leadership abilities early on and said he is not surprised to see the player where he is today.

“When your best player is your hardest worker, that’s just a recipe for success, and that’s what he was,” said Nideen.

Nideen named Lachance as the team captain at Tabor for the 2020-21 season, marking the first of many for the young player.

“He was a captain here, was a captain in the USHL [United States Hockey League] and now a sophomore captain at BU,’’ said Nideen. “It’s no coincidence that this kid is where he is right now, and I’m not surprised at all. I don’t think anybody who knows him is surprised at where he is right now, and what he’s doing.”

Lachance’s leadership has seamlessly translated to the collegiate level, as he led BU to back-to-back Frozen Four appearances. In his two years with the Terriers, Lachance notched 25 goals and 32 assists.

“He’s a great leader, and I think he’s going to have a lot of success moving forward as well,’’ said Kim Brandvold, a BU assistant hockey coach.

When he scored his goal in the second period of the championship game on April 13, many in Andover thought the Terriers would have a chance to rally. But it was not to be as the BU Terriers eventually fell 6-2 to Western Michigan Broncos.

Although fans would have preferred a win, Andover Hockey’s Bennett said residents of all ages loved seeing Shane Lachance succeed at the highest levels of college hockey – and they believe there are more highlights to come.

“Andover has a sense of pride in his accomplishments, and is looking forward to his development, and when he makes it to the NHL,” said Bennett.