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June 2021: Morris Township News Update
Disclaimer: This is a personal communication from Jeff Grayzel and does not represent an official communication from our local government or any other local authority.
Hello Neighbors,
Morris County is far ahead of the state average for residents getting vaccinated against Covid-19. More than 77% of County residents aged 18+ are now vaccinated compared to the statewide average of 68% (as of June 11). The state has set a goal of having 70% of New Jersey’s adults vaccinated by the end of June. Kids ages 12-18 are now all eligible for the Covid-19 vaccinate in our state and I urge parents to sign their children up to get vaccinated. Learn more at NJ Covid-19 hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/index.html
Our monthly Township Committee is coming up TOMORROW, June 16 starting at 7:00pm. See the details below.
Please read this entire newsletter to get fully informed and then please share it with your family and neighbors.
Upcoming Township Committee Meeting
Wednesday, June 16 
The Township Committee will hold its next Regular Meeting this Wednesday at 7:00pm. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom Meetings as has been the practice since the start of the pandemic. The agenda can be found here:
https://www.morristwp.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192021-1190
To participate in the meeting, click on the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84358121300?pwd=VmpvY3hwR3ZuM2MrWm9EQkZkSUgxZz09
If you are more familiar with Zoom, you can access our meeting via the “Zoom Meeting” app or webpage: https://us02web.zoom.us/join
Enter Webinar ID: 843 5812 1300
Passcode: 318078
Alternatively, you can dial in with a traditional phone call:
Phone: (929)-205-6099 or (301)-715-8592
When prompted, type in the following numbers:
Webinar ID: 843 5812 1300
Passcode: 318078
Morris Township Regular Meeting -- May 19, 2021
The Township Committee held a regular monthly meeting on May 19. The agenda for this meeting can be found here:
https://www.morristwp.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05192021-1190
As a reminder, video recording of each of our Township Committee meetings can be found on Morris Township’s YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxS482suIq4FW35sWpcQEiQ/videos
At each of our monthly meetings we honor people from our community for their accomplishments or the good work they do as volunteers or in other ways that they help the community. This past month we honored the Moms Demand Action organization for their work advo  cating against gun violence. June 4 was recognized nationally as Gun Violence Awareness Day, and a Township resident who is a member of “The Moms” presented information to the community about the work that they do.
At the May 19 meeting there were FIVE ordinances for final consideration. Read the full text of these ordinances here:
There were TWO new ordinances for introduction at this meeting. Read the full text of these ordinances here:
The meeting then continued with the Township Committee voting on 25 RESOLUTIONS. The full text of each resolution can be found here:
Next up were reports from our Standing Committees (varying combinations of two members from the Township Committee are assigned to various operating functions within the municipality to provide oversight), followed by individual commentary by each member of the Township Committee. The meeting concluded with “public inquiry” from our residents. You can listen to all this commentary by clicking on the video link below.
VIDEO recordings of Township Committee meetings are available on the township’s website! You can find the link on the municipal  website’s “agenda center” (click on the camera icon) OR you can go directly to the YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxS482suIq4FW35sWpcQEiQ/videos
Governor Murphy Lifts Major COVID-19 Restrictions
The requirement for six-foot social distancing has been lifted in businesses, including retail stores, personal care services, gyms, recreational and entertainment businesses, and casinos, and indoor gatherings, including religious services, political activities, weddings, funerals, memorial services, commercial gatherings, catered events, sports competitions, and performances. Note: Businesses and entities overseeing indoor spaces can continue to require masks and social distancing should they choose.
The following changes went into effect Friday, June 4:
- Removing the general indoor gathering limit, which was previously at 50 people.
- Removing the indoor gathering limit for political gatherings, weddings, funerals, memorial services, performances, and other catered and commercial events, which was previously at 250 people.
- Removing 30 percent capacity limitation for indoor large venues with a fixed-seating capacity over 1,000.
Read all the details here:
https://covid19.nj.gov/faqs/announcements/all-announcements/governor-murphy-announces-lifting-of-major-covid-19-restrictions-moves-forward-with-most-significant-reopening-steps-to-date
Swimming Pool Memberships Available
The prior limits on pool memberships caused by capacity restrictions (due to COVID) have been lifted and the municipality will be able to operate the two pools at full membership capacity. Pool memberships are still available at the Streeter and Ginty pools. Sign up here: https://www.morristwp.com/461/Swim-Pool
340 Mount Kemble Avenue Redevelopment Proposal –
Special Meeting on Monday, June 14
The 340 Mt. Kemble Redevelopment Plan ordinance was introduced earlier this year and the  hearings continued on June 14 at a Special Meeting of the Township Committee. A copy of the Redevelopment Plan and an “FAQ’s” (Frequently Asked Questions) are available on the municipal website:
At Monday’s meeting this proposed ordinance was “Withdrawn Without Prejudice”. The Applicant was requested to supply the municipality with more background information on the project before we could proceed any further. Since that information was not available at this time the Township Committee decided to take the action of withdrawing the ordinance and provide the Applicant with an opportunity to present their proposal again in the future should they wish to do so.
Cannabis Legislation Information Session
Morris Township held a virtual Public Information Session on the status of cannabis legislation on May 27. Residents learned more about New Jersey's new cannabis laws can join this virtual public information session hosted by the Legislative Standing Committee of the Township Committee (Deputy Mayor Mark Gyorfy and Committeewoman Cathy Wilson). You can find additional information, including a recording of the information session, here:
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Township-Committee-s-Update-on-Cannabis-Regulations.html?soid=1132644874787&aid=KBuRCIuoKWw
Seasonal Yard-Waste Collection Continues
Monthly yard-waste collection by the Department of Public Works began in April and will end in September (and then leaf pick-up starts in October). Curbside pickup of grass clippings, leaves, plant waste, light brush and bundled sticks/limbs takes place on the scheduled Saturday dates listed below.
Please follow these rules:
- Curbside pickup of grass clippings, leaves, plant waste, and light brush takes place on the scheduled Saturday dates listed below beginning in April and ending in September. Please review the street listing to find out your zone and scheduled collection dates.
- Place in 32 gallon standard garbage cans with lid and handles
- Grass clippings, leaves, plant waste, and light brush can be mixed together during this period. Light brush should be tied with string in bundles no longer than 4 ft., or placed in 32 gallon standard garbage cans cut to the height of the garbage can.
- NO plastic bags – please!!
- Fifty (50) pound limit per can or bundle
- NO dirt, logs, roots, or stumps.
- Alternative for RESIDENTS ONLY (no contractors): Residents may also bring grass clipping and light brush to the Department of Public Works located on Jane Way off West Hanover Avenue anytime during business hours, Monday thru Friday, 6 AM to 3 PM, and each Saturday from 6 AM to 1:45 PM.
The Township is broken up into two zones, and you can find your zone here:
https://www.morristwp.com/DocumentCenter/View/7047/Yardwaste-Collection
- ZONE 1 COLLECTIONS ARE SCHEDULED FOR:
June 12th, July 17th, Aug 21st, & Sept 18th
- ZONE 2 COLLECTIONS ARE SCHEDULED FOR:
June 19th, July 24th, Aug 28th, & Sept 25th
If you have any questions, please contact our Department of Public Works Office at 973-326-7398 or send an email to publicworks@morristwp.com.
Township Updates
Read the Municipal Messenger Monthly Newsletter
The May update can be found here:
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Municipal-Messenger-Monthly--June.html?soid=1132644874787&aid=GfZt3mzNcqw
Sign up for Morris Township’s “Municipal Messenger”
In order to keep updated with news and information related to Morris Township, I encourage everyone to sign up for  “Municipal Messenger” email notifications by clicking here: https://www.morristwp.com/915/Municipal-Messenger
The Municipal Messenger is an invaluable tool to receive important information from the municipality.
Upcoming Township Committee Meetings…
The next Regular Meeting of the Township Committee is scheduled for this Wednesday, June 16 at 7:00pm.
Looking ahead, next month’s regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 21.
Contact Jeff…
I will continue to communicate with the public by e-newsletter on a periodic basis. However, if you ever have a question or an issue you would like to discuss, feel free to contact me by e-mail. I will respond to e-mails sent to Jeff@JeffGrayzel.com.
Please feel free to forward this e-mail news on to others. If you know someone who would like to subscribe to future issues, please have them contact me at Jeff@JeffGrayzel.com
Remember: Stay SAFE by continuing to WEAR A MASK whenever you are in an indoor public location!
Your neighbor,
Jeff
© 2021 - Jeff Grayzel
6/15/21
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