1.  2023 Budget Passed

The Township Committee passed the 2023 municipal budget at our April 19th meeting. For those who missed last month’s dive into the budget, here is a high-level overview:

Dive Deeper:

📊 Here is a glimpse of where our municipal taxes will be spent:

• Salaries, wages, and operating expenses make up over half of our budget: 52%.
• Statutory expenses, such as health insurance, pension, and benefits: 21%.
• Fund Balance, which protects the Township in the event of emergencies, unforeseen expenses and provides for more stable tax rates: 16%.
• Debt service: 9%.
• Capital investments (i.e., road reconstruction projects, building repairs and renovations, and park upgrades) are approaching pre-pandemic levels: 2%.

🚧    Key projects funded in this year’s budget:

• Road resurfacing: increased from $750,000 to $800,000 to catch up on delayed work due to significant increases in the cost of asphalt in last year.
• Road reconstruction projects: Overlook Rd, Woodland Ave, and Whitehead Rd
• Collinsville Playground & Tucker Field Reconstruction
• Trash Compactor Truck Replacement
• Roof replacement for Woodland Firehouse
•  Kiwanis Field Renovation
•  Street tree replacements for neighborhoods impacted by ash tree removals

2.Improving Mobility in Morris Township

If you’ve driven down Normandy Parkway over the past few weeks, you may have noticed our latest sidewalk installation connecting residents with the Traction Line, Normandy Park School and the Morris Museum. This comes on the heels of the Sherman Avenue Reconstruction Project, which installed traffic calming measures in Fairchild, in addition to a sidewalk along the entire roadway.

Why it Matters: These projects are two of many that have been funded by the Township Committee over the past several years to expand Morris Township’s network of sidewalks, improving mobility and creating safer routes for residents to walk.

Go Deeper: Our Engineering Department has several other sidewalk projects funded that are anticipated to be completed in 2023, including:

• Sussex Avenue (between Sunderland Dr and Patriots Path)
• Woodland Avenue (between Old Glen Rd and the Municipal Building)
• Walnut Street (included in the roadway reconstruction project)
• Inamere Road

3.Recognizing Heroic Acts of First Responders

The Township Committee recognized three of Morris Township’s own for their outstanding efforts to aid others.

• Battalion Chief Daniel Nunn and Officer Miguel Palacio received commendations for their efforts locating and guiding a resident to safety as her home succumbed to flames during a fire on Sherman Avenue in Fairchild the evening of March 24th.
•  Firefighter Sean McCloskey was recognized for his efforts aiding an injured hiker and carrying her down Pyramid Mountain in Montville while off-duty on March 21st.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated professional and volunteer first responders serving our community!

4.Honoring the Fallen on Memorial Day

On Monday, May 29th, Morris Township and Morristown will come together to honor those who lost their lives defending our way of life.

Residents are invited to join us to visit local memorials and lay wreaths with the Memorial and Veterans Day Association of Morristown and Morris Township, beginning at 7:30 am at our Municipal Building.

• Transportation will be provided and refreshments will be served.
• Email [email protected] to sign up.

Our annual Township service will begin at 10:00 am in front of the Municipal Building, followed by the annual parade to the Green at 10:30 am.

5.Little League is Back!

[Photo credit: Brett Friedensohn of the Morris NewsBee]

I had a blast at Morristown Area American Little League’s Opening Day.

• Morristown National’s Opening Day festivities will take place on Saturday, May 6th at my former stomping grounds (Burnham Park).

Thank you to all the volunteers, coaches and parents who make little league one of the best parts of growing up in Morris Township. 

Thank you for reading my monthly newsletter. Please be sure to follow Morris Township by signing up for our Municipal Messenger, liking our Facebook page and following us on Instagram.

Best,

Mark