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>> County News - Press Releases
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Morris to Study Bio-Diesel Fuel for Vehicles
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Morris County will embark on a six month study of using biodiesel fuel in some of its vehicles. Biodiesel is a domestic, renewable fuel for diesel engines derived from natural oils like soybean oil and animal fat. The use of biodiesel fuel is designed to reduce pollution from diesel vehicles, resulting in cleaner air. Morris County will use a biodiesel blend called B-5, which is 5 percent biodiesel fuel derived from soybean oil and 95 percent petroleum diesel. Robert Cook, head of the county's motor services division, said 10 vehicles have been selected for the controlled study, including 8 public works vehicles and a bus used by the Morris Area Paratransit System, the county's transportation program for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. Gas milage, maintenance and cost will be evaluated after the study period to determine if using the biodiesel fuel is feasible. County officials said biodiesel fuel does cost more per gallon than conventional diesel, but its lubricating ingredients may increase the life expectancy of the vehicles that use it. If that is the case, Morris County Freeholder John Murphy said extending the life of the vehicles may offset the higher cost of the fuel.
Heating Help Available
The state's Home Energy Assistance Program is now taking applications from eligible Morris County residents who may be having trouble paying their heating bills. The HEA Program helps individuals and families who pay their own heating bills or who have their heating included in their unsubsidized rent. Applications are evaluated by household size, monthly gross income, heating bills and several other criteria. The HEA Program is administered by the New Jersey departments of Community Affairs and Energy through the Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs, which for the past eight years has been designated by the state as the county agency to receive the applications for assistance. Applications for the HEA Program are being accepted now to April 30. For more information or to request an application, contact the Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs at its 95-97 Basset Highway location in Dover at (973) 366-1131, or at its 120-122 Speedwell Ave. office in Morristown at (973) 644-5627.
First Night Morris County
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Morris County Administration and Records Building will be one of many venues for this year's First Night Morris County on Wednesday, Dec. 31. First Night is a non-alcoholic New Year's Eve celebration held rain or shine at a number of sites in Morristown, most of which are within close walking distance of one another and of the newly renovated Morristown Green in the center of the town's business district. Throughout the evening, the Administration Building, on Court Street, will host performances by children's entertainer "Big Jeff" DeSmedt accompanied by his guitar, harmonica, kazoo and Mr. Kleiner, a third grade teacher and lead guitarist with Big Jeff and his Middle Sized Band; poet Tara Betts; Native American storyteller Kenneth Little Hawk; and poet Cat Doty. The building's Atrium Art Gallery will also be open throughout the evening. An admission button allows access to all 25 First Night indoor locations to view high-quality, professional entertainment for people of all ages. First Night Morris County, in its 17th year, will also ring in the New Year with two fireworks displays at 9:15 p.m. and midnight. Admission buttons are $18 in advance, $20 on Dec. 31, and may be purchased at more than 30 Morristown-area locations. More information may be obtained by visiting the First Night Morris Web site, www.firstnightmorris.com, or by calling First Night Morris at 973-455-0708. The first performances begin at 7 p.m.
Morris Explains Renewable Energy Initiative to Towns & School Districts
Friday, December 12, 2008
The Morris County Improvement Authority on Dec. 11 detailed its proposed Countywide Renewable Energy Initiative to approximately 100 school district representatives and municipal officials. The authority conducted two informal information sessions about the program, which is being offered to all towns, public school districts and local authorities in the county. The program, which has the support of the Morris County Board of Freeholders, calls for renewable energy sources such as wind devices or solar panels to be installed, where possible, on buildings or on the grounds of program participants. The initiative is being financed by the Improvement Authority, with bonds guaranteed by the county. The Improvement Authority would absorb all debt service payments, which would be funded through the resale of the electricity generated by the alternative energy sources. Morris County Freeholder William Chegwidden, liaison to the Improvement Authority, said becoming a partner with the county under this program will enable a town or school district to reduce a portion of its energy bills and not incur any out-of-pocket costs. The freeholders Dec. 10 approved a $500,000 appropriation to pay for preliminary program costs. The Improvement Authority has hired Metro Energy Solutions, a West Caldwell energy consulting firm, to determine if renewable energy devices would be feasible in the towns and school districts wanting to participate in the program, and where the devices could be placed. Additional information about the renewable energy initiative may be obtained by calling the Morris County Improvement Authority at 973-285-6020.
Morris Gets $4 Million from State for Paving Projects
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Morris County is getting $4 million from the state's 2009 County Aid Transportation Program. The funds are earmarked for repaving portions of 11 county roads in nine municipalities, according to Deputy Freeholder Director Gene F. Feyl. The state aid program provides funds to counties each year. The paving projects being funded are .6 miles of Main Street to Changebridge Road in Montville; Main Road from Barney Lane to Boonton Turnpike in Lincoln Park and Montville; East Main Street from Hilltop Road/Mountain Avenue to Cold Hill Road in Mendham Borough; Mendham Road from Indianhead Road to Kadena Road in Morris Township; Columbia Turnpike from Morris Avenue to Park Avenue in Morris Township; East Mill Road from Schooley's Mountain Road to Old Farmers Road in Washington Township; Powerville Road from Boulevard to North Main Street in Boonton Township; South Morris Avenue from Route 10 to Millbrook Avenue in Dover and Randolph; Village Road from Lee's Hill Road to 1.3 miles east in Harding; Glen Alpine Road from Route 202 to Lee's Hill Road in Harding; and West Hanover Avenue from the Frelinghuysen School through Second Street in Morristown and Parsippany. The paving work will be done in 2009.
Sheriff's Office Collecting Toys for Tots
The Morris County Sheriff's Office has been designated as a local toy collection site by the Marine Corps Reserve's Toys for Tots Program. The goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that someone cares. Through the gift of a new toy, these children are able to experience the magic of Christmas. The Toys for Tots collection is underway and will run until Dec. 18. New, unwrapped toys may be placed in one of the Toys for Tots collection boxes located in various county government buildings, including the lobbies of the Morris County Courthouse and the Morris County Administration Building in Morristown; the Morris County Library on East Hanover Avenue in Whippany; and the Morris County Garage on Hanover Avenue in Hanover Township. The Parsippany-Troy Hills Municipal Building is also serving as a Toys for Tots drop off site. Only new and unwrapped toys can be accepted. While toys are requested for any age, there is a special need for toys for boys and girls ages 3 to 8. Private companies that ask their employees to donate new toys during holiday parties or toy drives may also use the Sheriff’s Office as a drop off location. The toys will be delivered to the Toys for Tots warehouse where they will be marked for distribution to the less fortunate children in our local communities. The Marine Corps Toys for Tots coordinator will be working closely with local social welfare, community agencies and church groups to identify the children who would benefit most from receipt of the toys. More information may be obtained by calling Sgt. Gerald Pennino in the Morris County Sheriff's Office at 973-285-6605 or by visiting the Morris County Sheriff's Office Web site, www.mcsheriff.org.
Freeholders Present Keys to Central Park Building to 3 Non-Profits
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Morris County Freeholders on Dec. 10 presented the keys to a county-owned facility at the new Central Park of Morris County to three nonprofit agencies. Hope House, Eric Johnson House and the Interfaith Council for Homeless Families are collaborating to use the building to provide increased services to their clients, homeless families and those suffering from HIV and AIDS. Freeholder John Murphy said the three agencies were selected by an advisory committee that reviewed dozens of proposals from nonprofit agencies requesting to use the building in Parsippany. Murphy said Eric Johnson House will now be able to expand its capacity to provide ongoing aftercare services to former residents of the house, while Hope House will use the grounds to keep its HIV testing van. He said the Central Park facility will allow the Interfaith Council for Homeless Families, whose current building is up for sale, to continue its mission of providing for families in need of shelter. Besides the Board of Freeholders, other community agencies assisting in various phases of relocating the agencies to their new Central Park of Morris County location are the Sheriff's Labor Assistance Program, the Morris County Department of Human services, Habitat for Humanity, the United Way of Morris County, the Market Street Mission, the Hyde and Watson Foundation and the Beyond the Walls Foundation.
County Accepting Applications for Grants to Help Preserve Historic Sites
Monday, December 8, 2008
Applications are now available for projects seeking funding in 2009 under Morris County's Historic Preservation Trust Fund. To be eligible for matching grant consideration, a historic resource must be listed, or certified as eligible for listing on the New Jersey and the National Register of Historic Places. Eligible applicants are municipalities, qualified non-profit organizations and the county. Application forms and revised program rules and regulations are available on the Trust Fund's Web site, www.MorrisPreservation.com. Two types of applications are available. Projects that are principally construction related will require a Construction application. Grant requests for acquisition, plans and reports associated with the implementation of a historic preservation project should be completed on the Non-Construction application. Applications must be returned to the county no later than March 27, 2009. Applicants must also submit a "Declaration of Intent" by Feb. 27. The Morris County Department of Planning, Development and Technology will conduct a workshop to explain the grant application process on Jan. 27, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Morris County Cultural Center, 300 Mendham Rd., Morris Township. The Morris County Freeholders established the fund after voters approved a public question in November 2002 allowing the county to amend its Open Space Trust Fund to include the acquisition, stabilization, restoration or preservation of historic resources. The freeholders in 2008 approved 25 grants allocating $2.1 million from the trust fund to help preserve 25 historic sites in 17 towns. More information about the application process or 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.
Morris Receives National Award for Night Out
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The National Association of Town Watch has named Morris County's 2008 National Night Out event a National Award Winner. Morris County's celebration of National Night Out in August was organized by the Morris County Park Police and the Morris County Park Commission, and drew several thousand people to the Mennen Sports Arena in Morris Township for the free event. Representatives from county fire and police departments, social service agencies and the county government were among the participants, educating those in attendance on the importance of crime, drug and fire prevention. Free child ID cards, entertainment, food and ice skating were also provided. Morris County was selected as one of 17 National Award Winners from among counties and cities with populations of 300,000 and above. This is the second year in a row that Morris County's event has been recognized. Award criteria included the effectiveness of the overall campaign with particular attention to the uniqueness of the event and its attractions, the level of neighborhood participation, law enforcement involvement, and media coverage and promotion.
Crimestoppers Dec. 22 Fundraiser
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Morris County Sheriff's CrimeStoppers Program will conduct its 23rd Annual Fundraiser on Monday, Dec. 22, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Birchwood Manor on Jefferson Road in Whippany. Tickets are $65 per person, with proceeds benefitting the CrimeStoppers Program. CrimeStoppers allows citizens who have information relating to crimes, criminal activity or fugitives to call 973-COP-CALL or 1-800 SHERIFF. Their information is taken by a CrimeStoppers operator and forwarded to the proper law enforcement agency. The information is kept confidential, and the name of the individual is never asked. If that information leads to an arrest and an indictment, the individual is eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Morris County Sheriff's CrimeStoppers is a non-profit corporation funded by contributions from the business and private sector. It is administered by a volunteer civilian Board of Commissioners who oversees the routine business affairs, control the finances and determine reward amounts and the methods of payment. Additional information about the Dec. 22 fundraiser may be obtained by calling Sgt. Moire Reilly of the Morris County Sheriff’s CrimeStoppers Program at 973-285-6675. Tickets are tax deductable.
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