The Morris County Freeholders have introduced a $298.5 million county budget for 2009 that reflects a reduction of $2.2 million in the county tax levy.

"This budget demonstrates the freeholders remain committed to the pledge we made last year of slowing the rate of increase in the amount raised by taxes," said Gene F. Feyl, freeholder director. Feyl, a member of the freeholder budget sub-committee, said the proposed budget is only 1.4 percent higher than last year's spending plan, which was just 3.3 percent higher than the year before.

The freeholders said most of the increases in the 2009 budget are either state or human service mandates, or are the result of rate increases. They said that includes increases of $2.5 million in health insurance premiums; $1.3.million for patients in state institutions; and $1.2 million in pension costs. Feyl also said new ratables are down from an average growth rate of 10 percent to 4 percent.

However, the freeholders said through attrition, the 2009 budget contains 76 less employees than were on the county payroll in 2008, saving approximately $3.8 million.
According to the freeholders, operational efficiencies at Morris View Healthcare Center last year resulted in actual cost reductions of $2.2 million.

The freeholders said these and other cost efficiencies allow them to maintain critical county government services.

Included in the budget is money for an additional 30,000 meals for senior citizens and 6,400 additional transportation rides for the elderly, ill and disabled.
Additional funds to address an increase in the caseload of individuals applying for food stamps and direct assistance are also included in the 2009 budget.

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for March 25 at 7:30 p.m.

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The Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority has distributed $404,318 among 18 Morris County municipalities for their recycling efforts in 2008.

The funds represent payment for the 17,708 tons of recyclable materials the towns sent to the MCMUA Recycling Consolidation Center in Dover, combined with other materials marketed through recycling agreements with the MCMUA in 2008.

"This is, by far, the largest amount of recycling rebates provided to the municipalities in the history of the MCMUA," said Jack Schrier, freeholder liaison to the MCMUA. "It proves that recycling does pay in more ways than one. It not only offers environmental benefits, but economic benefits as well."

The largest amount, $59,376.84, went to Mount Olive for 2,512 tons of recyclable materials. Denville received $53,149.25 for 2,390 tons of recyclable materials, while Hanover got $45,920.91 for nearly 2,040 tons of recyclable materials.

"Since the rebates were paid to municipalities in 2009, we hope it will help municipal budgets," Schrier said.

According to Kathleen Hourihan, district recycling coordinator, market conditions remained very strong during the first three quarters of 2008. Unfortunately, the fourth quarter of 2008 experienced a crash which reflects the current state of the global economy, Hourihan said.

"The price we received for commingled bottles and cans increased significantly as did paper prices in the first three-quarters," Hourihan said. "However, the last quarter was very different. Considering the current economic climate, we do not expect the rebate for 2009 tonnage to be anywhere near this amount."

The other communities that received payment are Boonton, which received $24,848; Boonton Township, which received $12,385; Chatham Township, which received $29,057; Chester Borough, which received $5,161; East Hanover, which received $28,107; Florham Park, which received $26,198; Mendham Borough, which received $18,388; Mendham Township, which received $23,063; Morris Plains, which received $19,591; Mt. Arlington*, which received $2,719; Netcong, which received $9,526; Rockaway Borough, which received $16,947; Roxbury*, which received $11,118; Washington Township*, which received $4,391; and Wharton, which received $14,372.

*For these municipalities, the totals shown here represent a portion of the total recyclables collected in those municipalities.

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Boaters and marina owners will again have a program this year to enable them to protect the environment as much as their own boats.

The Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority and the Morris County Park Commission are partnering for the second year in a row to conduct a free recycling program for boat shrink-wrap.

The Park Commission will host a collection container for boat shrink-wrap at Lee's Marina County Park on Lake Hopatcong from March 15 to June 30.

Plastic shrink-wrap is a popular and cost-effective material used by marinas and boat owners to protect boats and other marine vessels from harsh winter weather conditions, sunshine and other harmful elements.

"Most of the boat shrink-wrap generated in Morris County has typically been deposited in a landfill," said Penny Jones, recycling education specialist with the MCMUA. "This recycling program is a far better option."

The collection container at Lee's Marina, 443 Howard Boulevard, Mount Arlington, will be marked for shrink-wrap. Boat owners will be able to roll their dry shrink-wrap up on a clean surface, tie it into a bundle using a strip cut from the end of the wrap as a tie, and put it into the recycling container from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day of the collection program.

Owners of boats or watercraft that are stored or docked elsewhere will also be able to take their shrink-wrap to Lee's Marina County Park for recycling.

"Boaters were very receptive to the recycling program last year," said Liz Sweedy, MUA recycling specialist. "Approximately 11 tons of boat shrink-wrap were collected in 2008 and kept out of landfills."

For more information about the program, call the MCMUA at (973) 285-8394.

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The Morris County Heritage Commission History Re-Grant Program has awarded a total of $21,000 in grants to 11 organizations in the county for general operating support and for various history projects.

Funding for the program comes from the New Jersey Historical Commission to the Heritage Commission, which then re-grants the money to Morris County-based, non-profit organizations with collections or programs related to Morris County or New Jersey history.

The re-grant program brings state funds within reach for smaller organizations, enhancing their ability to preserve and exhibit collections, offer programs and provide Morris County citizens greater access to local history.

Groups receiving funds were the Boonton Township Historical Society, which received $1,825 for general operating support; the Dover Area Historical Society, which received $3,650 for general operating support; the Morris County Historical Society, which received $1,015 for materials for a textile exhibit; the Museum of Early Trades and Crafts in Madison, which received $2,808 for textile conservation and preservation; the Presbyterian Church of Flanders, which received $1,490 for records conservation; and the Kinnelon Historical Society, which received $1,500 for the preservation of photographic materials.

Also receiving grants were the Roxbury Public Library, which received $1,900 to preserve photographic materials; the Morris School District - Washington Valley Community Association, which received $1,295 for interpretive signage for the Schoolhouse; the Roxbury Historic Trust, which received $2,750 to develop an ADA architectural plan; the Washington Township Historical Society, which received $1,900for archival storage and a collections inventory; and Macculloch Hall in Morristown, which received $1,454 for brochure printing.

The Heritage Commission has received general operating support for this program from the New Jersey Historical Commission since 2001.

More information about the re-grant program and other programs sponsored by the Morris County Heritage Commission may be obtained by calling 973-829-8117, visiting MorrisHeritage.org or via e-mail at Heritage@co.morris.nj.us.

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The Morris County Midday Friendship Center nutrition site for senior citizens in Roxbury has moved to a new home.

The Center, operated by the Morris County Nutrition Program, has left the Old Lafayette School on Berkshire Valley & Mill roads for a township building at 72 Eyland Ave. that also houses the Roxbury Senior Center.

It is hoped the move will enable the program to increase the number of seniors being served, said Lucille Duetsch, director of the Nutrition Program.

She said 6,646 meals were served last year to seniors from Roxbury and nearby towns who came to the previous site, while another 47,516 meals were delivered from the site to area home-bound seniors.

The telephone number for the new nutrition center will remain (973) 361-5231.

The Morris County Nutrition Program operates 15 Midday Friendship Centers throughout the county, offering senior citizens nutritious noontime meals, special programs and social activities. The program also offers home-delivered meals for home-bound seniors.

The Centers are in Butler, Chatham Borough, Chester Township, Denville, Dover, Jefferson, Long Hill, Madison, Montville, Morris Mews in Morris Township, Morristown, Mt. Olive, Parsippany, Rockaway and Roxbury.

For additional information, contact the Morris County Nutrition Program at (973) 285-6856.

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The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders has agreed to increase the county's support of all municipalities in their drug abuse prevention efforts, especially in these challenging budgetary times. The freeholders have unanimously approved supplemental funding for the municipal alliances to use locally in helping youth in their towns make healthy choices.

A total of $82,500 in funding was approved for supplemental funding for the local municipal alliances. Although this is the same amount as last year, the freeholders made an even more significant change by reducing the town match from 100 percent to 50 percent. The reduction will make it possible for even more municipalities to participate and will increase the drug abuse prevention programming available in all local communities.

The Municipal Alliance movement began in 1989 and has been successfully implemented in almost every one of the 39 towns in Morris County. The Alliances are completely volunteer led and are responsible for designing drug abuse prevention efforts that are most successful in their local communities.

Some of the most prominent Municipal Alliance programs include peer leadership programs, alternative activities for youth, and Project Graduation. The Municipal Alliance in Morris Township also has a mentoring program for special needs children that is highly successful and serves as a model.

The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders has provided additional funding, in addition to the State funding, since 2001. The board has remained committed to enhancing and expanding services ever since.

Freeholder John Murphy, liaison to the Department of Human Services, made a passionate plea to continue supplemental funding in spite of the economic times. He also introduced the idea of reducing the cash match for the municipalities.

"This will give the towns much more bang for their buck and will reduce the funding burden on them as well as their residents," said Murphy. "Even more important is the fact that more middle school and high school youth will hear the message that you can have fun without using drugs or alcohol in your lives."

Beth Jacobson, Municipal Alliance Coordinator for the county, said the supplemental county funding is critical to address the increasing reductions from the state. "The additional funding also ensures greater local flexibility in programming, as well as increased public awareness of the dangers of substance abuse," Jacobson said.

The Morris County Department of Human Services strives to help youth, families, seniors and the disabled in need. For more information call (973) 285-6863 or visit the county website at www.co.morris.nj.us.

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