Water quality is extremely important to me. There is growing evidence of microplastic particulates in our water sources across the state. At our December 18th meeting we took one step towards preserving our water quality by banning certain types of single-use plastic bags. Although other communities need to join us in this effort (and I urge the state to take action on a statewide basis), this is an important step in the right direction. Everyone can help out by using their own personal reusable bags when they visit the supermarket or pick up take-out food. You can read the details of our local plastic bag ban here .

To close out our final meeting of 2019, the Township Committee shared a summary of accomplishments for the year. We had many achievements to be proud of and made very significant progress in our town on several additional fronts. We have set ourselves up to accomplish even more in 2020! The top accomplishments for 2019 can be viewed here .

You can read a summary of the rest of the meeting proceedings below. If you would like to watch the entire meeting on video, including my opening remarks on gun violence, then you can view the video here . 


Now for 2020. Our year kicks off with our annual Reorganization Meeting taking place this Tuesday January 7th followed by the first Regular Meeting of the Township Committee on Wednesday January 15th. At this Tuesday’s meeting we will appoint our mayor and deputy mayor positions for 2020 from the five-member Township committee. We will also make appointments to open positions on our various boards and committees. And continuing our new tradition of honoring volunteers at every meeting, we will recognize all of the Chair-people of our boards and committees from this past year. Please come join us this Tuesday to celebrate the appointment of our new mayor for 2020.  
                              
As a way to increase communication to residents and their participation at our meetings and events, last year the Township created a monthly summary of events each month. You can view all the upcoming events for January here .

This year we are changing our garbage and recycling pick-up schedule, with both now being collected on the same day . There are two important things to know. First, your garbage collection day will stay the same and recycling will now be picked up on that day. Second, the arms on our automated trucks require that the two collection cans be separated by 4 feet (and that you have 4 feet from other objects as well). The new schedule will result in all residents getting collections during holiday weeks (nobody will get skipped anymore). Read the details of our new collection schedule here .

Due to changes in demand for recyclable products nationwide, we are being forced to change the types of plastics we now accept for recycling. Effective immediately, only plastic containers coded 1,2, & 5 are acceptable for recycling. Get more information here .

For those of you with Christmas trees, the Township has begun collection of used trees. Please leave them on the curb (not in the street!) and our DPW will be making rounds throughout the month to collect them.

Please forward this email to your neighbors and encourage them to sign up for our Municipal Messenger notifications by clicking here : Municipal Messenger . The Municipal Messenger is an invaluable tool to receive updates and information about Morris Township.

Again, please join us this Tuesday to celebrate the appointment of our Mayor for 2020 and hear the annual Mayor’s Address to the community. Your Township Committee has many objectives for 2020 and we look forward to serving the community.

As always, if you have a question or comment to share with me please send an email to [email protected]. I would love to hear from you.

Sincerely,
Jeff Grayzel
Mayor, Morris Township
DECEMBER 18, 2019 MORRIS TOWNSHIP MEETING RECAP
The Morris Township Committee convened for their last business meeting of the year at 5:30 PM for closed session and reconvened for public session at 7:00 PM. 

The full meeting agenda can be found here .

PRESENTATIONS                                                                                                                           
  • Police Department Re-Accreditation - Chief Harry Delgado, NJSACOP
  • Community Service Award – Dr. Peter Gallerstein
  • Morris Township Wildcats Football – 7th Grade Super Bowl Champions
  • Underage Vaping in Morris Township presentation – Annemarie Feldman (College of Saint Elizabeth Masters Program)

ORDINANCES –PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL CONSIDERATION
The following ordinances were adopted:

28-19 AMENDING CHAPTER 95 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MORRIS TO ELIMINATE THE RH-20 ZONE AND TO REMOVE ALL REFERENCES TO SAME
  • ELIMINATES THE RH-20 ZONE – NOT NEEDED

29-19 AMENDING CHAPTER 57, PART 1, ARTICLE 1, SECTION 53, SUBSECTION 3 OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE AND CHAPTER 95, PART 1, ARTICLE IV, SECTION 31, SUBSECTION A, PARAGRAPH (2) TO ALLOW FOR PORTICOS                
  • ADDS PORTICOS AS AN ADDITIONAL DEFINITION

30-19 MODIFYING AND AMENDING ARTICLE XXXII HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION This ordinance was not adopted. It was rescinded by the TC:
  • REQUIREMENTS IN HISTORIC AREAS FOR REVIEW BY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION FOR EXTERIOR WORK AND DEMOLITION (NO RECOMMENDATION FROM PLANNING BOARD RECEIVED)

31-19 AN ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS AND REGULATE THE USE OF PAPER BAGS BY RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP OF MORRIS
  • Prohibits single-use plastic bags and regulates the use of paper bags in Morris Township retail establishments
32-19 ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING $195,000 AVAILABLE IN THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE TO PROVIDE FOR VARIOUS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS BY THE TOWNSHIP OF MORRIS
  • Funds available in the general fund balance will be appropriated towards Police Body Warn Cameras, DPW Fuel Mgt. System, & Sidewalk Projects

33-19 RE: REPEALING AND AMENDING PORTIONS OF CHAPTER 95 “ZONING” OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MORRIS – SPECIFICALLY: CHAPTER 95, SECTION L91 SUBSECTION E. AND CHAPTER 95, SECTION 92 SUBSECTION E(3)
  • REGULATES MAINTENANCE FEES FOR LOW AND MODERATE HOUSING UNITS

The full text of each of the ordinances for final consideration can be found here .

RESOLUTIONS
The Morris Township Committee took action on twenty(20) resolutions, which can be found on the agenda (see link above) . Resolutions are formally approved by the Township Committee on matters usually relating to professional services, the awarding of contracts, and to minor personnel matters.

Resolutions of note from Dec 18th include:
  • Resolution approving revenue and appropriation for the 2019 State Body Armor Replacement Fund Program
  • Resolution supporting the 2019 Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over yr. end holiday crackdown
  • Authorization resolution for professional consulting services to Amy S. Greene Environmental Consultants Inc.
  • Authorization resolution for the application to the Complete Streets Technical Assistance Program-Walkable Community Workshop
  • Appointment extension resolution for Larry Ott, temporary Electrical Sub-Code Official
  • Authorizing Maintenance Bond & release of Performance Bond for Rochelle Contracting Co Inc. for contract QPA-7-2017, Cornine Field Improvement Project
  • Authorizing release of Performance Bond Picerno-Giordano Construction, LLC for contract QPA-5-2018, Collinsville Playground Project
  • Release of subsidy resolution to the Morris Minute Men Emergency Medical Services for yr. 2018
  • Appointing Daniel Nunn as Parking Enforcement Officer effective Dec 16th
  • Resolution supporting redevelopment of the Abbey Site by Restoration Hardware and authorizing continued engagement and discussion with Restoration Hardware under the NJ Local Redevelopment and Housing Law and under the Long Term Tax Exemption Law

The full text of each of the resolutions can be found here .
 
CONSENT CALENDAR
On the Consent Calendar, the Township Committee took several actions which can be found on the agenda (see link above). These include:
  • Accepts, with regret, the resignation of Dan Falkner as a member of the Morris Township Environmental Commission
  • Accepts, with regret, the resignation of Ara Barsamian as a member of the Morris Township Economic Development Advisory Committee
  • Granted municipal consent to the Melanoma Research Foundation to hold their annual 5K run/walk fundraiser in the Township of Morris on Sunday, September 13, 2020; request includes the utilization of the approved 5K course that begins at Ginty Field and requires the partial closure of the following roads: Dwyer Lane, Fanok Road, Woodland Avenue, Kitchell Road, Spring Valley Road, and South Street
  • Granted approval to Morristown-Beard School to erect a temporary tent on the circle in front of Beard Hall (main school building) for the 8th grade moving up ceremony and 12th grade graduation ceremony on Friday, June 5, 2020 and Saturday, June 6th, 2020.

CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT
The Committee also voted to pay the bills for the month of November totaling $22,200,071.91. As “tax collector” for the Morris School District, County of Morris and Joint Morristown Morris Township Library, this figure includes a $4,497,037 transfer to the Morris School District, $9,773.00 to Joint Library, $12,555,750 proceeds of bond sale invested, Bond Note Interest $49,383.87, $2,564,867 in municipal salaries/benefits, $2,523,261 in operating expenses and capital project expenses for the Township.  

NEXT TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETING DATES: Tuesday, January 7, 2020 Reorganization Meeting &
Wednesday, January 15, 2020 Regular Township Committee Meeting 

Kindly forward this email to your neighbors and encourage them to sign up for our Municipal Messenger notifications by clicking here .

If you would like more detail than this recap provides, you can now watch complete video of the Township Committee meetings here . 

#####