June 2, 2020

May 30th Statement * from Morris Township Mayor Cathy Wilson: Like so many in our community, I am deeply shaken by the killing of George Floyd. This horrific incident has re-opened deep, unhealed wounds that have been part of our nation’s history for centuries and continue to this day. I commend our local Black Lives Matter group for organizing a funeral procession to pay tribute to Mr. Floyd’s memory and shine light on the deeper meanings his death evokes. I know our police will do their part to ensure that tonight’s vigil is a safe and meaningful occasion for all. Let us honor George Floyd by finding new ways to engage in honest, productive communication about the feelings and issues his death and his legacy reveal. I plan to reach out to various individuals and groups in the days ahead to assist in promoting the mutual understanding that’s needed for all of us to move forward in positive ways. May God bless us all. *Further statements from the Governing Body & Chief of Police forthcoming

Recap of the May 20, 2020 Meeting of the Morris Township Committee – by Mayor Cathy Wilson

Due to ongoing COVID-related restrictions, this meeting was conducted remotely via Zoom.  Mayor’s Introductory Comments : Per the Governor’s plan, overview of general expectations going forward: We are currently nearing the end of Phase 1 which includes the strictest restrictions while we flatten the curve. Restrictions are expected to be gradually lifted during Phase 2 (approximately Memorial Day through July 4th) and again in Phase 3 (beyond July 4th). Current stay-at-home order (which extends through June 5th) includes mandatory social distancing requirements and limits public gatherings to no more than 10 people. (Note: on May 22nd, that limit was raised to 25 people.)

Morris Township Community Garden

Memorial Day Activities Due to these restrictions, we will do a small service which will not be open to the public but will be videotaped and shared with the public on our website.  Updated note : video of that service can be viewed on our website or here .

Public Meeting on the Abbey Township Committee members fully understand the importance of this project to our community as well as the importance of in-person attendance by residents. This meeting was originally scheduled for April 29 th then postponed until June 3 rd . Because in-person attendance will not be possible on June 3 rd , we are postponing it again. The new date we are setting is July 21 st . Because we still expect social distancing requirements to be in effect at that time, we are actively exploring holding the meeting at a larger venue than our Town Hall (which can hold about 50-60 people in-person while practicing social distancing). While we do not know with certainty what future restrictions will look like, we are doing everything possible to ensure that this meeting is open for in-person attendance AND participation via remote access. We are also fully aware of the public’s need to know well in advance of any date changes that may need to be made in the future.  Ordinance 07-20 (the Abbey Redevelopment Plan): Unanimous vote by Township Committee (TC) members to postpone the public hearing on the Abbey until July 21 st .

Public Comment/Inquiry  During this portion of the meeting (which lasted more than an hour), discussion focused on the Abbey. Many residents shared comments on why they support postponing the public meeting on the Abbey until such time as in-person attendance is possible. Many comments from TC members in agreement. Discussion among TC members and the public in response to many particular questions /comments concerning the public hearing date were shared.

Ordinances for Public Hearing and Final Consideration- Click here for complete text of all ordinances. Passed Ordinance 08-20 - which clarifies the language in our Township Code that prohibits the establishment of gas stations in conjunction with convenience stores. Land Use applications that propose a combination gas station/convenience will need to seek a variance from the Board of Adjustment. Passed several ordinances as authorized by our 2020 Budget to approve funding for various capital improvements across the Township . Examples include: sidewalks, drainage, curbing, and roads in various locations as well as improvements at our swimming pools, Convent Train Station, and sewer infrastructure.   Bid Report – Mr. Quinn reported on the bid process for the annual General Services Contract for drainage, curbing, basin repair and road repairs. Resolutions – complete text of all ordinances can be viewed here .

Standing Committee Reports and Comments by Township Committee –  Township Committee members shared comments on a wide variety of topics including: pools, tennis courts, communications, the Abbey, single-use plastic bag ban, grants, legislation, Memorial Day, planned improvements at Convent Train Station, passing of St. Elizabeth’s past president, Sister Francis Rafferty, upcoming improvements on various roads in Morris Township, shared services plans, mental health issues and resources, plans to open additional board/committee meetings to remote access, May 9 th Food Drive, Zoom Yoga and Zumba classes, care packages of masks and gloves to seniors, addition of two new members to our Historic Preservation Commission (Sue Young and Pat Santfner), resources for small businesses added to our website, and HUGE THANKS TO MANY RESIDENTS AND EMPLOYEES for doing a fantastic job of helping and supporting our community in so many different ways.

Following are links to all sections of our May 20th Township Committee meeting. Residents can view past videos of Township Committee meetings on our YouTube channel which can be accessed by googling Morris Township Videos - You Tube . Video of our meetings can also be viewed on Monday evenings, from 7-9PM, on Cablevision channel 21 (their public access channel).   00:00:30 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 00:01:05 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 00:01:35 MAYOR INTRODUCTORY COMMENTS 00:07:36 RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 07-20 00:12:35 PUBLIC COMMENT/INQUIRY 01:12:40 ORDINANCES PUBLIC HEARING AND FINAL CONSIDERATION 01:13:13 08-20 01:25:30 09-20 01:26:55 10-20 01:30:41 11-20 01:31:45 12-20 01:32:50 13-20 01:34:40 14-20 01:39:00 BID REPORT 01:41:10 RESOLUTIONS 01:42:50 GENERAL BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE 01:43:10 STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS AND COMMENTARY BY TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE 02:10:55 PUBLIC COMMENT/INQUIRY 02:11:25 CONSIDERATION OF MONTHLY REPORTS 02:11:35 CLAIMS FOR PAYMENT - LIST OF BILLS AND VOUCHERS   For anyone who would like written information about our May 20th meeting: The full meeting agenda can be found  here . The full text of each of the ordinances for adoption can be found  here . The full text of resolutions that were adopted can be found  here .

Next meeting is scheduled for June 17th, 2020

Cathy Wilson Mayor, Morris Township