The Morris County Freeholders have approved a 2009 capital budget totaling $29.2 million.

Most of the capital budget is earmarked for infrastructure improvements such as road and bridge design and construction; boiler replacements in county facilities; and dam rehabilitation at various locations.

The 2009 capital budget also includes money for the phase-two design work for recreational fields at Central Park of Morris County and the design of a countywide emergency communications center for police, fire and emergency services, which a number of municipalities have requested.

The freeholders noted the county has received a $1.2 million grant toward the communications center design, and more than $4 million in grants for the road and bridge projects.

The freeholders said while the capital budget reflects items deemed to be priorities, it does guarantee funding for every project. They said no money is spent unless a specific project receives their approval.

The 2009 capital budget is part of a six-year, $193 million plan.

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The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders has approved a measure reducing the tax rate used to fund the county Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

The dedicated open space tax this year will be set at 3 cents per $100 of assessed property value, down from its 2008 level of 4 cents. Estimates are that the new rate will generate between $34 and $35 million this year to help fund projects designed to preserve open space and farmland and protect drinking water resources in the county.

In reducing the tax, the freeholders said while preservation remains an important initiative in the county, today's difficult economic climate warranted the tax reduction. The freeholders said reducing the tax by one cent will not have a negative impact on the preservation programs.

They said the action preserves the integrity of the programs and also gives some relief to county taxpayers. Increased competition for preservation funds may also create opportunities for lower land acquisition prices.

Voters approved the creation of the trust fund in 1992, and the freeholders started the program the following year. Since then, more than 17,700 acres have been preserved.

The freeholders in 2008 approved more than $23 million in funding for 21 municipal and non-profit open space projects totaling more than 700 acres in 16 towns.

Any of the 39 municipalities in the county and qualified charitable conservancies are eligible to apply for open space funding. The open space tax also funds acquisition of county parkland and preserves and protects historic sites throughout Morris County.

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The Morris County government spent nearly $100,000 last year in its shared service program to remove deer carcasses from county and municipal roads, about $20,000 more than was spent in 2007.

According to Stephen W. Hammond, director of the Morris County Department of Public Works, 1,630 deer carcasses were removed from county and municipal roads last year at a cost of $60 per deer, compared with 1,491 in 2007 when the cost per deer was $54.50.

A Monmouth County firm, Deer Carcass Removal, has a contract with Morris County to remove dead deer from both county and local roads at no cost to the towns.

The Morris County Board of Freeholders in 2006 decided to assume the cost of carcass removal when the New Jersey Department of Transportation transferred that responsibility to towns and counties.

Under the county program, each town is responsible for reporting deer carcasses on local and county roads within its municipality directly to the company.

County figures show Washington Township led the way with a total of 206 deer carcasses removed last year, followed by Randolph with 159, Chester Township with 107and Hanover Township with 94.

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The Morris County Freeholders have agreed to join in a safety initiative aimed at young drivers.

The freeholders will partner with the Morris County Joint Insurance Fund and Randolph Township to fund software upgrades to driver simulators at the county Public Safety Training Academy in Parsippany.

The upgrades will enable the simulators to be used by high school students in the county to learn what it is really like to drive in various conditions.
The equipment can be programmed to simulate such real highway scenarios as curves in the road; inclement weather conditions; driving at high speeds; and even deer darting out from the side of the road.

This will be part of "Alive @ 25," a national interactive safety program in place in several Morris County communities that encourages young drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 to take responsibility for their driving behavior.

"Research shows the leading cause of young driver accidents involve one or a combination of several factors including inexperience and the lack of awareness to the consequences of risk-taking behavior," Freeholder Doug Cabana said.
"The simulators will help young drivers learn what happens when you get behind the wheel and develop strategies that will keep them safer on the road."

Cabana, freeholder liaison to law and public safety, said the county, the MCJIF and Randolph will each chip in $6,000 to pay for the upgrades. He said the simulators are used by the county to train county employees and for basic police training.

"The simulators see a lot of down time, so the fact that they will now be used by high school students will be a more efficient use of the equipment," Cabana said. "It is also another example of a shared service the county is offering to municipalities."

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The Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority urges residents to reuse or recycle plastic grocery store bags and keep them out of the waste stream.
However, Penny Jones, recycling education specialist with the MUA, said individuals who choose to recycle the plastic bags must be careful to keep the bags away from other recyclable materials.

"It is critical that no one puts plastic bags into recycling containers that are designated for bottles, cans or paper," Jones said. "The plastic bags jam the processing machines and wreak havoc with the equipment in recycling facilities."

Jones said the MUA encourages people to reuse the plastic bags or take them to a supermarket that has a collection bin.

"Not all supermarkets have such bins, so calling the store ahead of time is a good idea," Jones said.

The plastic grocery bags may also be taken to an individual's municipal recycling center if the center has a container designated for those bags only.
Jones said the products derived from recycled plastic bags include composite lumber, playground items and other grocery and garbage bags.

Anyone wanting additional information about reusing or properly recycling plastic grocery bags may contact his or her municipal recycling coordinator, or the Morris County MUA at 973-285-8394.
Information is also available at www.plasticbagrecycling.org.

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The Morris County Mosquito Commission has been honored by the Essex County community of Fairfield for helping the township in its mosquito control efforts.

The Morris County agency provided Fairfield with manpower and equipment for the removal of trees and debris from the Passaic River. Kristian McMorland, superintendent of the mosquito commission, said the project will potentially result in less flooding, thereby reducing mosquito habitat.

In recognizing the mosquito commission for its help, the Fairfield Township Council said Morris County's assistance was an outstanding example of a cooperative project between several agencies. The council noted that controlling mosquitoes in Fairfield will benefit Morris County communities as well. Fairfield borders Montville and Lincoln Park in Morris County.

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The Morris County Freeholders have unanimously elected Gene F. Feyl and William J. Chegwidden to serve as director and deputy director respectively of the board in 2009.
The action occurred during the freeholder board's Stated Annual Meeting on Jan. 5.
The meeting also featured incumbent freeholder Margaret Nordstrom being sworn in for her fourth three-year term and former Freeholder Joan Bramhall taking the oath of office to begin her third five-year term as Morris County Clerk.
Feyl, the 2008 deputy director, is in his third year on the freeholder board.
He thanked his colleagues for their confidence and pledged to continue what he called the tradition of "quality county government."
Feyl said Morris County is prepared to face the financial challenges that lie ahead. He said the freeholders have already realigned or modified programs where necessary to ensure the most efficient use of county tax dollars.
"We are committed to reducing costs and limiting spending without harming those who need our assistance the most," Feyl said.
He noted a hiring freeze instituted by the freeholders in 2008 will remain in place.
"The county workforce will be smaller by more than 70 positions through retirements and attrition, and through 2009 no vacancies will be filled unless proven critical to the health and public safety of our residents," Feyl said. "hrough planning and prudent use of our resources we intend to avoid layoffs."
The former Denville mayor said his goal is to have a 2009 county budget that reflects little or no increase in spending.
Feyl said engineering work on the second phase of Central Park of Morris County, the former Greystone property purchased by the county, will move forward in 2009, as will a countywide renewable energy proposal for towns and school districts put forth in late 2008 by the Morris County Improvement Authority.
Freeholder Chegwidden, the board' new deputy director, is also in his third year on the board.
Nordstrom, of Washington Township, joined the freeholder board in September 1999. She is a three time freeholder director, having served in that capacity in 2006, 2007and 2008.

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