A new online survey is giving commuters and existing bus riders in northwest New Jersey an opportunity to share their views on how the transit system can better meet their needs.

The survey is a key element of a study of bus service in parts of Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren counties that is being conducted by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority and NJ TRANSIT.

TransOptions, the Transportation Management Association for the area, is hosting the survey. Those interested can go to www.nwnjbus.org to link to the survey, which asks questions about transit use, transportation needs and related issues.

The survey provides all travelers - including those in areas that are currently not served by buses or other transit - with a chance to discuss their needs and make transit-related recommendations.

The Northwest New Jersey Bus Study will develop a comprehensive look at the needs for future bus service as well as current and emerging bus service, parking and facility needs. Onboard surveys of bus riders already are well underway.

The NJTPA and NJ TRANSIT are co-managing the project, which will consider potential bus improvements on several critical travel corridors, including parts of Interstate 80 and Routes 15, 23, 46 and 94.

The study will examine existing markets and identify emerging ones for bus travel to employment centers and other destinations, ultimately leading to recommendations for more travel options for residents and workers in the area.

Improvements considered may include new and restructured routes; new or expanded park-and-ride facilities; vanpool, carpool or shuttle operations; and possible highway improvements such as shoulder lanes and queue jump operations in congested areas.

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If you are looking for farm-fresh produce, you need look no further than the Morris County government Web site.

The Morris County Freeholders have a link on the county Web site that connects to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture's Jersey Fresh page.

Anyone visiting the county's Web site at www.co.morris.nj.us and clicking on the "Farmers Markets" link on the Web site's links page will be able to search for and quickly locate community farmers markets, roadside markets and pick-your-own farms in Morris County and across the state.

The freeholders said they wanted to promote the county's farms, many of which are family owned and operated by farmers, who the freeholders said are deeply committed to carrying on their family's proud agricultural heritage.

A quick look at the "Farmers Markets" link shows listings for community farmers markets in Morris Plains, Morristown, Boonton, Chatham Borough, East Hanover, Madison and Netcong.

The information also includes the exact location of each community farmers market, the days of the week the markets are open, their hours of operation and the items sold at each.

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The Morris County Board of Freeholders has approved spending $2.1 million from the county's Historic Preservation Trust Fund to help preserve 25 historic sites in 17 towns.

The freeholders approved the 25 grants based upon the recommendation of the county's Historic Preservation Trust Fund Review Board.

Of the grants approved, 16 were for construction or restoration projects and 9 grants were non-construction projects, which may include acquisition and the development of plans for preservation.

Morris County voters approved the creation of the Historic Preservation Trust Fund in November 2002, allowing the freeholders to amend the county's Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund to include the acquisition and preservation of historic sites and facilities. The funds come from trust fund monies that have been traditionally set aside for administrative costs and were not diverted from open space or farmland preservation.

The largest construction grant, $188,600, was awarded to Historical Society of Boonton Township for interior restoration work to the Oscar A. Kincaid Home of History, a circa 1785 house on both the New Jersey and national registers that is planned as a museum.

Madison received a $150,000 construction grant for interior restoration to the Hartley Dodge Memorial, the 1933 Neoclassical building that serves as the Madison Borough Hall, and which is a vital part of the Madison Civic Historic District. The project includes the restoration of the historic building's fabric.

The largest non construction grant totaling $250,000 was awarded to the Passaic River Coalition to help the group acquire Willow Hall, a puddingstone structure in Morristown built in 1848 by George Vail, a noted New Jersey politician and the brother of Alfred Vail, a central figure with Samuel Morse in the development of the telegraph. The Coalition plans to use Willow Hall as its headquarters.

Other historic preservation grants for construction went to the First Presbyterian Church & Congregation of Dover, $175,699; the First Presbyterian Church of Hanover in East Hanover, $69,273; the United Methodist Church in Madison, $81,384; the Presbyterian Church of Madison, $110,640; the Community of St. John Baptist in Mendham Township, $150,000; the Trustees of the Ralston Cider Mill in Mendham Township, $67,924; Montville Township for the Montville Schoolhouse, $125,000; the Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, $35,700; the Washington Association of New Jersey for the Morristown National Historic Park Museum Auditorium, $115,047; The Woman's Club of Morristown, Inc., $60,160; Mount Olive Township for the Former Baptist Church, $67,280; the Growing Stage Theatre for Young Audiences in Netcong, $126,914; Riverdale Borough for Glenburn House, $71,574; and the Roxbury Historic Trust, Inc. for the King Homestead, $80,000.

Grants for non construction projects were awarded to Rockaway Township for Hibernia Church, $28,160; Butler Borough for the Butler Railroad Station, $29,440; the Community Presbyterian Church in Chester Borough, $15,280; Florham Park Borough for Little Red Schoolhouse, $12,680; All Saints' Episcopal Church in Long Hill Township, $27,000; the Flanders United Methodist Church in Mount Olive, $16,040; Long Hill Township for Millington Schoolhouse, $29,437; and the First Presbyterian Church of Rockaway, $15,000.

Since the program began, 53 historic sites in 30 communities have received grants totaling nearly $8.7 million.

More information about the Historic Preservation Trust Fund may be obtained by calling Ray Chang at the Morris County Department of Planning , Development and Technology at (973) 829-8120.

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The Morris County Mosquito Extermination Commission is using its Web site again this summer to alert county residents about spraying and other efforts to control mosquitoes and minimize the threat of the diseases they carry.

The Web site, www.morrismosquito.org, is updated on a regular basis with the latest news about the commission's activities in the fight against mosquitoes.

Information about spray operations, including times and specific spray locations and neighborhoods, will be posted on the Web site as soon as possible.

Spraying has already started in some portions of the county, including East Hanover, Florham Park and the meadows surrounding Morristown Airport, which have become the county's worst mosquito producer.

The Web site also contains tips on how people can help protect themselves from mosquito bites and control the pesky insects around the home.

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The Morris County Heritage Commission has released the second edition of Historic Sites of Morris County, New Jersey.

The book features text by Heritage Commission archivist and author David Mitros, 49 illustrations by noted Morris County artist Lucille Hobbie, and an introduction by New Jersey historian John T. Cunningham.

This comprehensive guide to the county's most treasured historic places is a revised and expanded edition, featuring nearly twice as many sites as the original 1996 volume.

The book includes a map and site location key. It is intended to promote awareness of Morris County's diverse and vibrant history, recognize shining examples of historic preservation, and encourage readers to take pride of ownership in their own communities.

Historic Sites of Morris County, New Jersey was made possible with funding provided by the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the F. M. Kirby Foundation, Inc.

The 70-page softcover book retails for $17 and is available from the Heritage Commission, Swain's Art Store of Morristown, Mendham Books, Ray and Judy's Book Stop in Rockaway and the Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall.

Additional information about publications and programs sponsored by the Morris County Heritage Commission may be obtained by visiting the commission's website http://www.co.morris.nj.us/MCHC/, calling 973-829-8117, or via e-mail at Heritage@co.morris.nj.us.

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The Morris County School of Technology is encouraging 8th grade students eligible to attend a Morris County high school and their parents to consider applying to one of the school's academic and career academies.

Academies are scholastically-challenging "schools within a school," designed to attract students who have similar interests and aspirations.

The Academies of Morris County are individual magnet high schools that offer students a challenging and exciting curriculum designed to prepare them for the rigors of college and a future career.

Additionally, the students who attend the Academies of Morris County enjoy all the benefits of a high school athletic program and extra-curricular activities within a small school atmosphere.

Students may select from among The Academy of Automotive Sciences; The Academy for Visual & Performing Arts; The Academy for Networking Information; The School of Cosmetology; The Academy of Construction Arts; The School of Culinary Arts; The Academy for Finance and International Business; The School of Veterinary Science; The Academy for Health Care Sciences; The School of Child Related Careers; The Academy for Law & Public Safety; and The Academy for Mathematics, Science and Engineering.

In every case, students take a college-preparatory program that provides them with multiple options after graduation, including admission to some of the finest colleges and universities or a career path to entry-level employment in some of the nation's fastest growing industries.

An 8th grade student has until Dec. 5 to apply.

For additional information, call the Morris County School of Technology at (973) 627-4600 or visit the school's Web site, www.mcvts.org.

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The Morris County Freeholders on June 9 presented Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medals to 21 veterans, all of whom are members of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, in recognition of their military service.

The freeholders presented medals to patrolmen Theodore Anderson, Robert Appel, Daniel S. Bendas, Brian Conover, Ross L. Cooper, Jr., Awilda Curving, Marcin Czajka, Thomas J. Dinkelspiel, Damon Farms, John F. Keiling, Alfred J. Keiser, Peter Kolln, Jr., Jason M. Lubeck, Jeffrey E. Magahan, Steven T. Miller, David Roman, Robert Smolen, Michael Sprung, William M. Stone, III, Andy Van Orden and to Sgt. Louis A. Valori.

While the freeholders have presented more than 8,400 Distinguished Military Service Medal at ceremonies across the county since 2000, Freeholder Director Margaret Nordstrom told the recipients their ceremony was unique.

"You served and protected this great nation of ours here and in conflicts around the world, and now you are home and you continue to serve and protect in your capacity as law enforcement officers," Nordstrom told the recipients.

"The dedication to duty you displayed while defending our freedoms and the freedoms of millions of people around the world is the same dedication to duty you display in Parsippany as you patrol neighborhoods, respond to calls, maintain order, investigate crime and arrest offenders."

More information about the program may be obtained by contacting the Morris County Veterans Service Office at 973-285-6866.

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The Morris County Visitors Center was among 11 tourism-related organizations awarded destination marketing grants totaling more than $1.5 million to expand tourism marketing opportunities in New Jersey.

The Visitors Center, at 6 Court Street in Morristown, received a $173,750 marketing grant from the Department of State's Division of Travel and Tourism.

This grant and the 10 others that went to various Destination Marketing Organizations around the state will help those agencies provide critical promotional services in their respective geographic areas as premier tourist destinations.

According to the Visitors Center, Morris County ranks 9th among New Jersey's 21 counties, with tourism business bringing $1.2 billion into the county last year.

The Morris County Visitors Center may be reached by telephone at (973) 631-5151 or on the Web at www.morristourism.org.

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