Message from the Township Committee
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SUMMER NEWSLETTER • 2021
Message from the Township Committee
Dear Neighbor,
Providing transparency in our work and promoting resident engagement are top priorities for the Township
Committee. As we enter the second half of the year, we want to update you on our work in 2021 thus far. As
always, we encourage you to subscribe to our Municipal Messenger email service for important updates by
visiting: MorrisTwp.com/915/Municipal-Messenger.
Land Use In May, the Township Committee adopted a package of resolutions that provide additional
Reform notice for land use proposals and advocate for impactful reforms at the state-level.
Specifically, our newly-adopted redevelopment policy requires perspective redevelopers to
Initiative provide concept plans for resident review before Township professionals begin their work.
Additionally, this package advocates for reforms at the state-level to provide increased
transparency and opportunity for public input, based on the Township Committee’s new
guidelines. Click here for more info.
Shared Services Grant
This spring, the Township, in collaboration with five other towns, was awarded a grant from the Department of
Community Affairs to identify and implement a program to share costly public works equipment and
maintenance functions. When the assessment is complete, the towns will file for an implementation grant to save
taxpayer dollars. Morris Township is proud to be the lead agency in this effort.
Transportation Advisory Committee Recommendations
The Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) presented the findings of their Personal Mobility Survey this
spring. TAC members reported that the survey, responded to by over 700 residents, provides important data on:
1) how households use roads, paths, and trails for recreation, 2) what issues residents face with the current
infrastructure, and 3) what improvements for safety, convenience, and accessibility residents wish to see. The
Township Committee is evaluating the survey data and TAC’s recommendations to deliberate which
recommendations to focus on in both the near and long-terms. Further details can be found at: MorrisTwp.com.
Dedication of Capt. Brian J. McNally Field and Freelan Green Park
In June, the Township dedicated the ball field at Freelan Green Park in the Cromwell Hills
neighborhood in Captain Brian McNally’s memory. A son of Morris Township, Capt. McNally
grew up in both the Fairchild and Cromwell sections of town. Leading a life of public service,
Capt. McNally volunteered for the Morris Minute Men and the Fire Department. After
graduating from the Citadel, Capt. McNally served in the Marine Corps, was deployed to
Afghanistan, and later became a New Jersey State Trooper. Tragically, our community lost
Capt. McNally in 2018. View the dedication here.
We encourage you to review other helpful information included in this newsletter, including important
information on recycling, dates of community events, and other key highlights from across the Township. We
welcome your comments, questions and suggestions for improving our town. Please write to us!
Sincerely,
jgrayzel@morristwp.com mgyorfy@morristwp.com
pmancuso@morristwp.com wravitz@morristwp.com cwilson@morristwp.com
01
SUMMER NEWSLETTER • 2021
Recycling Tips
We’ve all been told recycling is important for the environment, but that’s only if it’s done properly.
Knowing where materials go and disposing of them correctly is an easy way to invest in our community
and keep the Township of Morris sustainable for many years to come.
Do not put plastic bags of any kind in with your recycling. This includes: store bags,
sandwich bags, garbage bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags and other plastic films. Plastic
bags clog up the gears at the recycling center, which then needs to be manually cleaned,
twice a day. This wastes many hours and causes downtime of the sorting equipment.
#1
#2
The recycling program is meant for household food and detergent containers: items
found in your kitchen and laundry room. Do not put metal fuel containers or containers
from flammable chemicals in with your recycling, such as “Trufuel”, paint thinner,
denatured alcohol, acetone, or other flammable chemicals.
If empty: they go in the garbage, these containers are a danger to the recycling center employees and
equipment, and the metal is not recyclable
If not empty: these should be properly disposed of on the Hazardous Materials Drop- Off Days throughout
the year, or make an appointment at the HHW Facility in Mt. Olive
Please make sure all cardboard is dry. Wet cardboard is garbage
and cannot be recycled. Greasy pizza boxes are garbage. Even a
little grease will ruin the batch of cardboard. #3
#4Make sure acceptable materials, plastics (#1, #2 & #5 ), glass & aluminum recyclables
are clean (no food) and dry.
"When in doubt, throw it out.” If you’re unsure if something should be recycled and
can’t find an answer on the Recycle Coach App for Android or IOS, or
RecyclingSimplified, it’s better to throw it in the garbage.
#5
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02
SUMMER NEWSLETTER • 2021
OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION –
VALLEVUE FARM PRESERVE
In March, 2021, the Township completed an open space purchase of ValleVue Farm Preserve – Phase 2- from the
Rosenhaus family. The acquisition of 7.76 acres will complement the previous acquisition of 21 acres in 2015. This
purchase protects the Washington Valley viewshed, a six-acre meadow along Picatinny Road; allows the Township
to complete a loop trail around the property; and provides a remnant farm pond that drains into Gillespie Brook.
This purchase, in the amount of $1,042,800 was accomplished through use of dedicated Open Space Funds from
the Township of Morris, Morris County Open Space Trust Fund ($684,900) and Morris County Municipal Utilities
Authority ($100,000). We are also grateful for the receipt of a financial donation from the Rosenhaus family,
longtime residents of our town. We wish to thank and acknowledge all of the above for their substantial financial
contributions to the acquisition. Also, we would like to thank our Open Space Committee, chaired by Former
Mayor Rick Watson, Parks and Recreation Director Bill Foelsch, and Township staff, all of whom worked with the
Rosenhaus family to protect this long-time farm so that Township residents can truly enjoy its beauty for years to
come!
HOME ELECTRICAL SAFETY SHARE THE ROAD
Many electrocutions and home fires can be prevented Provided by the Morris Township Police Dept. & National
simply by understanding basic electrical safety principles Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Tips for Drivers,
Motorcyclists, Bicyclists and Pedestrians
and adhering to safe practices. Here are just a few tips
provided by the Morris Township Fire Dept. & ESFi: For drivers, sharing the road begins with the
understanding that bicyclists and motorcyclists have the
Prevent Electrical Overloads - Overloaded electrical
same rights as you. They also face unique safety challenges,
circuits are a major cause of residential fires. Help such as being smaller and less visible. Look for cyclists
lower your risk of electrical fires by not overloading where vehicles do not appear, like before making a left-
your electrical system. hand turn at an intersection. Also, be aware that
Extension Cord Safety - Roughly 3,300 home fires motorcyclists may have to downshift and weave to avoid
originate from extension cords each year, killing 50 bumps and road hazards. Pedestrians have rights on the
people and injuring 270 more. Extension cords can road, too. Always slow down and be prepared to yield to
overhead and cause fires when used improperly. pedestrians when they’re in a crosswalk. Never pass
Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors - vehicles stopped at a crosswalk, as there may be people
crossing whom you cannot see. And be extra cautious
In the event of a home fire, working smoke alarms can
when backing up across sidewalks or in parking lots.
mean the difference between life and death, but there
is more you need to do to ensure your family is Just like drivers behind the wheel, bicyclists and
prepared to safely escape from a fire emergency. motorcyclists must obey signs and signals. Ride
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Electrical Safety - Review defensively, assuming others cannot see you, and don’t let
recommendations and safety tips (resources: ESFi yourself be distracted by music, an electronic device, or
&NFPA) before you decide to tackle electrical projects anything else that takes your focus off the road. Bicyclists
should always ride with traffic, use bike lanes when
in your home. ESFi not only has a virtual home tour of
available and avoid riding on sidewalks when possible.
electrical systems, but a library of videos that
demonstrate critical home electrical safety concepts Pedestrians should also follow the rules of the road and
and tips. obey signs and signals, which are there to protect you. If
Home Safety Checklists - Use easy checklists there isn’t a sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from
(resources: ESFi & NFPA) to help you identify and vehicles as possible. Always cross streets at crosswalks
when they are available; drivers know to look for you there.
correct electrical and fire hazards in your home before
If there isn’t a crosswalk, cross at a well-lit place where
a serious incident occurs.
drivers can best see you.
03
SUMMER NEWSLETTER • 2021
Township of Morris
50 Woodland Avenue, P.O. Box 7603
Convent Station, NJ 07961-7603
973.326.7400
@morristwpnj @MorrisTwp WWW.MORRISTWP.COM
Morris Township Court
Reconstruction Project
Complete!
The long-awaited project to reconstruct some of the Township’s deteriorating Tennis Courts is
officially complete, and just in time for the 2021 summer season! Due to the heavy use, it is quite
evident the courts are a huge triumph! The project featured a complete re-building of the four
tennis courts at the Streeter Recreation complex, and the conversion of two existing tennis courts
at the Ginty Recreation complex to six pickleball courts to meet the Township’s burgeoning
pickleball activities. The re-building process, known as “post-tensioned concrete construction”, was
designed by our Project Engineers, Keller and Kirkpatrick, Inc. of Morris Plains, provides a
strengthened cable-compressed activated surface that is resistant to surface cracking. Classic Turf
Company, who was awarded this competitive bid contract, is a specialist in this type of recreational
court construction. Looking to learn how to play pickleball or tennis? Check out our Parks and
Recreation Summer Brochure on our website, www.morristwp.com for more information!
NEWSLETTER • 2021
UPCOMING EVENTS
FAMILY CAMPOUT, 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 HILLSIDE HOSE CO.
MOVIE, & BONFIRE OKTOBERFEST
9/11 Memorial Ceremony, in remembrance and in
Sat, Aug 21 / Ginty Field honor of the 2,977 people killed in the terror attacks Sat, Oct 2nd/ 2 PM- 8 PM
Feature Film: The War with Grandpa of September 11, 2011. Hillside Hose Co., 132 Western Ave
Location: Ginty Field Gazebo 9/11 Memorial Great music, food, beer, & souvenirs for purchase!
Date & Time: To be announced
BIG SCREEN OUTDOOR
FAMILY NIGHT AT THE TRUNK-OR-TREAT MOVIE NIGHT & BONFIRE
FIREHOUSE
Sat, Oct 30th / 3PM / Ginty Parking Lot Sat, Oct 30th /Dusk, Approx. 7:30PM/Ginty Field
Tues, Oct 5th @ Woodland, 6PM-9PM Trunk-or-Treating, an event hosted by the Parks & After Trunk-or-Treating join us for our Big Screen
Thurs, Oct 7th @ Fairchild, 6PM- 9PM Rec, and Police Dept. is an evening full of activities, Outdoor feature & Bonfire with MTFD. Bring your
fun, and most importantly, treats! If you would like chairs & blankets and enjoy some Hot Chocolate
Learn about fire safety, explore a fire truck,
to register your car, please sign up thru Community with us on a cool October’s eve. Arrive early and
meet the firefighters & more!
Pass. have some fun, enjoy some games and DJ music
requests in the “spirit” of the season.
VETERANS DAY HILLSIDE HOSE CO. BREAKFEST WITH SANTA
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE
Thurs, Nov 11th
SALE Date, time, and location TBD, check
Memorial & Veterans Day Association of www.morristwp.com mid-Nov
Morristown & Morris Township hosts a Veteran's
Nov 26th-Dec 24th Enjoy breakfast & great holiday fun and
Day Service. More information posted on our
Hillside Hose Co., 132 Western Ave entertainment. Make sure to bring your camera
website's "Township News", www.morristwp.com,
Trees, Wreaths, Garland, and Grave Blankets because when Santa arrives, family pictures with
in the beginning of November. Santa will begin!
Visit www.hillsidehose.org for more information.
ANNUAL OVERLAY PROGRAM LEAF COLLECTION PROGRAM
THE FOLLOWING STREETS HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED FOR BEGINS OCT 18 IN SECTOR THREE(3)
MILLING & PAVING IN 2021:
BETTIN DR. LORD STIRLING DR.
ACCEPTABLE MATERIALS & GUIDELINES FOR CURBSIDE
BURNETT RD. MARK TWAIN DR. PLACEMENT:
CHIMNEY RIDGE (POWDERHORN TO MORRIS PL.
COLONIAL) PEACHTREE LANE All materials must be placed along the curb line, not in the street, and kept 10 ft. from all
CORY RD. WILLISON PARK RD. storm drains
Only leaves, grass, and plant vegetation may be combined in a pile together
EVANS FARM RD. WOOD RD.
All materials should be placed loosely along the curb(no bags-paper or plastic)
Do not place brush in leaf piles
Initially, the roads will be milled to remove the old pavement, and then resurfaced with new
asphalt. Delays are to be expected on the designated roads as well as all adjacent roads.
This project is weather-related and, therefore, the completion date may be extended if
UNACCEPTABLE MATERIALS:
Brush, dirt, logs, tree parts, tree stumps, and tree trunks
crews are delayed by rain or inclement weather. Dates to be announced on our website.
NEWSLETTER • 2021
DETCENNOC YATS
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emer g e n c y response and planning. instagram:@morristwpnj
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