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December 2021: Morris Township News Update
Hello Neighbors,
I hope everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday!
 COVID-19 cases are rapidly rising in our community (just as they are across the northern part of our country) as many activities move inside with the cold weather. I recommend that everyone take appropriate precautions like wearing a mask in crowded public places and getting your booster shot if you are eligible.
In this newsletter:
- TONIGHT December 2 is a Special Meeting of the Morris Township Committee. You can find the agenda and Zoom link below.
- Red Bulls proposal for a soccer training facility on the former Honeywell site.
- Other helpful information and news from around town (make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom!).
Please read this entire newsletter to get fully informed and then please share it with your family and neighbors.
SPECIAL Meeting of the Township Committee
Thursday, December 2
The Township Committee will hold a Special Meeting TONIGHT at 7:00pm. This meeting is dedicated solely to the zoning ordinance that would allow the proposal from the Red Bulls soccer team to move forward. See details of the proposal in the section below.
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/_12022021-1243
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
Red Bulls Soccer Team Project Proposal
The Red Bulls, a Major League Soccer team, announced that they intend to build a new state-of-the-art training facility on a portion of the former Honeywell site off of Columbia Road. The Red Bulls are proposing to purchase the two remaining commercially-zoned lots on the former Honeywell site, which have stood dormant for many years. This proposal appears to be a low-impact use of this large property and is anticipated to generate minimal traffic.
I am excited that the New York Red Bulls are planning to make Morris Township their future home and looking forward to beginning the approval process with them. The Red Bulls organization has done a tremendous job contributing to and supporting their local community and creating lifelong fans. We are pleased that the Red Bulls are considering Morris Township for their new facility.
You can read more about the proposal in this article in Patch HERE.
At the November 10 meeting of the Township Committee the governing body introduced a zoning ordinance that would allow this proposed project to be built on the Honeywell parcels. The formal public hearing will take place at the Special Meeting on December 2.
At their recent November 29 meeting, the Planning Board amended the Master Plan to allow for this type of proposed use within this zone in the municipality, and then conducted a review of the Zoning ordinance for consistency with the Master Plan. You can read the Master Plan amendment HERE.
Read a summary of the Planning Board meeting in this article from the Morristown Green news service HERE.
You can view the public information statement from Morris Township on the municipal website, which includes the proposed layout (scroll down) and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
The following materials are available to the public at this time:
The upcoming meeting schedule set by the municipality is as follows:
- November 10, at 7:00pm Township Committee – Introduction of Zoning Ordinance.
- December 2, Special Meeting of the Township Committee at 7:00PM – Public Hearing on Zoning Ordinance.
- December 8, Special Meeting of the Township Committee at 7:00PM – Continuation of Public Hearing on Zoning Ordinance.
- December 15, Regular Meeting of the Township Committee at 7:00PM – if necessary, a continuation of Public Hearing on Zoning Ordinance.
I encourage all interested residents to join the December 2 meeting on Zoom (see link in section above).
Seasonal Leaf Collection
Morris Township’s annual leaf collection program will continue through mid-December. The Township is broken up into three (3) sectors for this service; collection rotates through each of the zones week-by-week. Click here to find your sector. The DPW asks that residents place materials out for collection utilizing these guidelines. Please place the leaves at the curb of your property; DO NOT pile your leaves in the street. Leaves left in the street can wash away and clog storm drains, which could then cause flooding.
Morris Township Updates
- Read the Municipal Messenger Monthly Events Newsletter
This month’s update can be found here:
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Municipal-Messenger-Monthly-December.html?soid=1132644874787&aid=RLHramrydQA
- Morris Winter Farmers Market to Open Ninth Season at New Venue
 in Morris Township
The Morris Winter Farmers Market presented by Grow it Green Morristown is back for a ninth season, in an exciting new location for the 2021/2022 winter season. The market is moving to the Convent Train Station parking lot with more space, more vendors, greater access and more free parking. The market will be open from 9:30 am – 1 p.m on Sundays starting Dec. 5, 2021, until March 27, 2022 (closed Dec. 26th). Read more about this
on the Morristown Green news service HERE.
- Annual Hillside Hose Christmas Tree Sale
The Hillside Hose Company on Western Avenue has begun their annual Christmas tree sale. Trees, Garland, Wreaths, and Grave Blankets are available for purchase at the firehouse located at 132 Western Avenue. Hours are as follows:
- Mon-Fri: 4 PM - 8 PM
- Sat: 10 AM - 8 PM
- Sun: 10 AM - 5 PM
More information is available at the Hillside Hose website HERE. Please support your community by buying your tree at the firehouse! Supplies are supposedly limited this year so make your purchase early.
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
There will be a Special Meeting of the Township Committee this Thursday December 2 at 7:00pm. There is another Special Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 8 at 7pm as well.
This month’s Regular Meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 15.
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 a crowded indoor location!
Your neighbor,
Jeff
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.
© 2021 - Jeff Grayzel
12/2/21
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