Some 46 companies sent representatives to Morristown on July 27 to learn more about the renewable energy project being proposed by the Morris County Improvement Authority.

The firms, from as far away as Michigan and Florida, are considering responding to the Authority's request for proposals to develop the pilot program, which calls for solar panels to be installed on several school buildings and county government facilities.

The potential bidders heard a presentation from Improvement Authority representatives and asked questions about the initiative. They now have until 1 p.m. Aug. 31 to bid on the project.

The developer that is eventually selected by the Authority would own, operate and maintain the equipment, and would be able to take advantage of tax credits, depreciation and renewable energy revenue that is available in the solar industry.
These incentives would then be passed on to the program participants by the developer, who would sell the solar energy generated to them at a fixed price, lower than the existing cost of retail energy, for 15 years.

The Authority received approval from the State Local Finance Board in June to issue up to $30 million in bonds, guaranteed by the county, to finance the program.

In addition to the county government, the Morris County Park Commission and the Boonton, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany-Troy Hills, West Morris Regional and Morris Hills Regional school districts are participating in the program.

The request for proposals may be viewed on the Improvement Authority Web site, www.co.morris.nj.us/improvement, and clicking on "current bids." Information may also be obtained by calling the Improvement Authority at 973-285-6020.

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The Morris County Library's series of free career resource seminars continues in August.

The first session, Local Resources for Job Seekers, is Saturday, Aug. 1, from noon until 1:30 p.m. and will concentrate on the free job search sources available to all job seekers. This session will also cover such topics as cover letters, resumes, job outlooks, interviews and networking, recruiters, agencies and career change.

Company Research for Job Seekers will be Monday, Aug. 3, from noon to 1:30 p.m. This session will cover everything you need to know to about researching potential employers, including company profiles and financial information, products and services, company history and its corporate family tree.

Internet Job Search Tips will be discussed at a seminar Saturday, Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This strategy session will focus on the practical aspects of searching for jobs on the Internet and will include "hidden job sites," New Jersey jobs, Civil Service jobs, salary surveys, online ads and online resumes.

Everything a person needs to know about applying for a job online will be the topic of a seminar Monday, Aug. 10, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Among the topics to be covered will be security issues and data entry.

Networking 101 is the title of the 5th career seminar Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Proven networking strategies, innovative techniques and guerrilla tactics will be detailed with special emphasis placed on local opportunities.

Space for each seminar is limited and registration is required. Individuals may sign up for the entire series or a single session. All of the seminars will be held at the Morris County Library, 30 East Hanover Avenue in Whippany.

More information may be obtained by calling the library at (973) 285-6939, or by visiting the library's Web site, www.mclib.info.

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Morris County has prepared a new Transit Guide to provide commuters with information about public transportation options available within Morris County and the region.

The Transit Guide includes a map of bus and rail routes in the county as well as profiles of municipal transit options available within the county's 39 towns.

Telephone numbers and Web site addresses for NJ Transit buses and trains and Morris Metro, Lakeland and Community Coach buses are included, as is information about park & ride lots, Dial-A-Ride services and transportation for senior citizens and persons with disabilities in the county. Web addresses and telephone numbers are also listed for AMTRAK; Newark Liberty, Kennedy, LaGuardia and Morristown airports; PATH; and NY Waterway ferry service.

The Morris County Transit Guide is provided free of charge by the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and may be found in all municipal buildings and libraries.

Copies of the Transit Guide as well as other transportation information such as maps and schedules may also be obtained by contacting the Division of Transportation by email at mcdot@co.morris.nj.us, by phone at (973) 829-8101 or by visiting the division Web site at www.MorrisDOT.org.

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A grant from the Gannett Foundation will help thousands of Morris County school children explore the stars by supporting the renovation of the County College of Morris' 37-year-old planetarium.

The $3,000 grant is one of five totaling $12,000 given by the foundation on behalf of the Daily Record, one of the 80 daily newspapers it publishes.

"This kind of support helps us do something we would not have been able to do otherwise," said Joseph Vitale, vice president of the County College of Morris Foundation. "The Gannett Foundation has been a generous supporter of the college over many years for a number of initiatives, which we appreciate."

The CCM planetarium has some 14,000 visitors annually, 95 percent of whom are children between the ages of 6 and 10. The planetarium provides presentations on story-telling and time-keeping to demonstrate how the stars have been used for navigation through the ages.

The refurbished planetarium, with a new projection system, sound system and 90 seats, is expected to open at the end of the year, Vitale said.

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Morris County bonds have received a Aaa rating for the 35th consecutive year.

Moody's Investors Service, Inc., and Standard & Poor's, the two largest bond rating agencies in the nation, have given their highest government rating to the county's $43.6 million worth of general obligation bonds.

Moody's said the Aaa rating "reflects the county's strong and diverse tax base, well-managed financial operations...and a modest debt burden." The agency also pointed to what it called Morris County's history of "conservative budgeting practices."

Standard & Poor's reaffirmed its Aaa rating for the county's bonds, and said the county's economic outlook was "stable."

Morris County Freeholder Director Gene F. Feyl, Freeholders William Chegwidden and Margaret Nordstrom and several county staff met in New York City earlier this month with the rating agencies to brief them on the county government's economic health.

"The rating agencies were pleased when we told them we were continuing the program-based budgeting process we started last year," Feyl said. "They like the fact that, while we are conservative in our budgeting, we continue to deliver needed services efficiently and effectively."

According to Feyl, the rating agencies also place a good deal of value on the consistency and experience of a strong management team. "The agencies look for competent leadership based in sound public policy, and that's what we have in Morris County," Feyl said.

Freeholder Nordstrom said the Aaa rating is important because the higher the rating, the more money the county and Morris taxpayers save in interest payments on bond and note sales.

"Being able to maintain a triple-A rating is a strong statement about our fiscal planning," Nordstrom said. "It demonstrates the financial and managerial strength of Morris County government."

Freeholder Chegwidden, the freeholder board's deputy director, said the Aaa rating is also important for the Morris County Improvement Authority, which is planning to issue up to $30 million in bonds to finance a pilot renewable energy initiative.

"The bonds to fund the renewable energy program have been guaranteed by the county government," Chegwidden said. "Keeping the triple-A rating ensures us getting the best interest rates available when those bonds are issued."

Morris County has maintained a Aaa rating on its bonds since 1975, when it became the first county government in New Jersey and only the 10th in the nation to achieve the prestigious rating.

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The Environmental Assessment Report for the Two Bridges Road Bridge over the Pompton River and the Extension of the West Belt in Lincoln Park, Fairfield and Wayne in Morris, Essex and Passaic counties will be available for public review for 30 days starting July 21, 2009.

In Morris County, it may be viewed at the Office of the County Engineer on the second floor of the Administration and Records Building on Court Street in Morristown; at the Lincoln Park Library; and at the Lincoln Park Borough Clerk's Office.

In Passaic County, the report may be viewed at the Office of the County Engineer; at the Wayne Township Main Library;and at the Wayne Township Clerk's Office.

In Essex County, it may be viewed at the Fairfield Township Library and at the Fairfield Township Clerk's Office.

Public comments should be submitted to the State of New Jersey, Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 600, Trenton, N.J. 08625-0600, Attn: Pamela Garrett in the Bureau of Environmental Resources.

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The Morris County Improvement Authority has issued a request for proposals from firms interested in developing the authority's pilot Renewable Energy Program.

The Improvement Authority's initiative calls for renewable energy sources - in this case solar panels - to be installed on buildings of program participants.

In addition to the county government and the Morris County Park Commission, the Boonton, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany-Troy Hills, West Morris Regional and Morris Hills Regional school districts are participating in the pilot program.

The Authority received approval from the State Local Finance Board in June to issue up to $30 million in bonds, guaranteed by the county, to finance the program.

"The participants in this innovative program will be able to reduce a portion of their energy bills and not incur any out-of-pocket costs," said Morris County Freeholder William Chegwidden, liaison to the Improvement Authority.

The developer of the Photovoltaic, or solar energy system eventually selected by the Improvement Authority would own, operate and maintain the equipment, said Chegwidden.

"The developer would be able to take advantage of tax credits, depreciation and renewable energy revenue that is available in the solar industry," he said. "These incentives would then be passed on to the program participants by the developer, who would sell the solar energy generated to them at a fixed price, lower than the existing cost of retail energy, for 15 years."

The request for proposals may be viewed on the Improvement Authority Web site, www.co.morris.nj.us/improvement, and clicking on "current bids." Information may also be obtained by calling the Improvement Authority at 973-285-6020.

Proposals are to be received by the Improvement Authority by 1 p.m. Aug. 31, 2009.

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The Morris County Youth Shelter, for the second year in a row, is collecting unopened packages of disposable baby, toddler and adult diapers for distribution to needy Morris County families. The diapers will benefit the clients of the Interfaith Food Pantry, the Morris County Office of Temporary Assistance and Child & Family Resources, all of whom partner in the community to help needy families.

According to Jill Cerullo, deputy director of the Youth Shelter, the facility's residents and counselors initiated the first diaper drive last year after volunteering at the Interfaith Food Pantry.

"The youth at the Shelter saw families who needed not only food, but diapers and other essentials for their children," Cerullo said. "In today's economic climate, with families in need more than ever, the Youth Shelter's residents were again inspired to try to help in some small way by conducting a second diaper drive."

According to Cerullo, last year's drive resulted in the collection of 7,400 adult, toddler and infant diapers.

Diapers may be dropped off from July 27 to Aug. 11 at the Morris County Library at 30East Hanover Avenue in Whippany; the Morris County Division of Personnel on the first floor of the Morris County Administration and Records Building on Court Street in Morristown; and the Department of Human Services office at 30 Schuyler Place in Morristown. Diapers may also be brought to the Office of Temporary Assistance on West Hanover Avenue in Morris Township.

Additional information may be obtained by calling (973)-285-6403.

The Youth Shelter houses adolescents who have been determined by a family court judge to be in crisis, until permanent placement can be arranged.

Interfaith Food Pantry is located in the Morris View complex and provides food for thousands of individuals and families each year. The Office of Temporary Assistance provides Food Stamps and other benefit assistance to families in emergency situations or to those who have lost their jobs. Child & Family Resources in Mount Arlington is the county's premiere child care referral agency.

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Morris County is now on Twitter, using the free social messaging service as another method of keeping county residents up to date on county government issues and events.

Those who chose to receive county government updates via Twitter are "followers of MorrisCountyNJ," and the updates they receive are called "tweets."

Followers of MorrisCountyNJ will get tweets from The Board of Chosen Freeholders, the county government's Public Information Office, the Park Commission, and the Prosecutor's Office. MorrisCountyNJ tweets also include breaking news items from the Prosecutor's office, the Morris County Sheriff's Crimestoppers Crime of the Week, county library events, health information and major additions to county Web sites.

An individual may register to follow MorrisCountyNJ on Twitter by visiting the county government Web site, www.co.morris.nj.us, and clicking on the blue Twitter Bird in the upper right corner of the home page, or by going directly to http://twitter.com/morriscountynj and clicking "Join today."

Twitter joins the county Web site and the Morris County Connections E-mail Alert as tools being used by the Morris County Freeholders to provide county residents with easy ways of keeping informed.

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Families who receive Foods Stamps can now use them to buy fresh produce at many farmers' markets throughout the state, including several in Morris County, under a new state program to promote healthy eating.

Under the pilot program, Food Stamp recipients can now scan their Families First Electronic Benefits Transfer cards at machines at participating farmers’ markets.
Many tailgate farmers' markets have not been able to accept the EBT card because they did not have access to the electricity or telephone line needed to process transactions online.

The pilot program provides farmers with the wireless equipment they need to process these transactions. The farmers will be able to use this equipment at the various farmers' markets around the state where they sell their produce.

In Morris County, the Parsippany, East Hanover, Madison, Morristown, Netcong and Riverdale farmers' markets are participating in the new program, as is the Bader Farm Market in Pine Brook.

The pilot program is a collaborative effort of the state departments of Human Services and Agriculture.

More information about Food Stamps and a list of all of the farmers' markets accepting Food Stamps may be obtained by visiting the New Jersey Food Stamp Program Web site, www.njfoodstamps.com. Food Stamp information is also available from the Morris County Department of Human Services Office of Temporary Assistance at 973-326-7800.

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The Morris County Freeholders on July 8 presented Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medals to 11 veterans in recognition of their service to our nation.

Freeholder Director Gene F. Feyl praised the medal recipients for their service and patriotism.

"You have made great sacrifices to defend the American people and our free way of life," Feyl told the veterans. "We owe all of you an enormous gratitude for your courage and your sacrifices."

Medals were awarded to Joseph Devaney of Mine Hill; Joseph B. Ford of Morristown; James F. McConnell of Randolph; Lee McNulty of Butler; John H. Finkeldie III of Jefferson; John Freudenberg, Jr of Randolph; Fredrick J. Coughlan of Morristown; Robert R. Peer of Montville; Eric Hanna of Denville; Eddie Ruiz of Wharton; and William Yarlaski of Budd Lake.

Since the freeholders began the program in 2000, approximately 8,950 Distinguished Military Service Medals have been presented to veterans or to their family members. The medal was designed by a committee of Morris County veterans and is unique to the county.

Eligibility requirements for the recognition include having served on active duty, not for training, during periods that have been designated by Department of Veterans Affairs and for which a veteran is eligible for battle pins. The individual may be a current or former Morris County resident, but did not have to live in the county during his or her time of active duty. A veteran must have received an honorable discharge, and discharge papers will be required for proof of service.

Veterans or their family members must register with the Morris County Department of Human Services at 973-285-6866.

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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.

Kristian McMorland, superintendent of the Mosquito Commission, said information about spray operations, including times and specific spray locations and neighborhoods, are posted on the Web site as soon as they are scheduled.

"It's important that we keep the public up to date about our mosquito control efforts, and our Web site is the best way to do that," McMorland said. "Accessing the Web site will provide residents with such information as when and where spraying and water management activities will be taking place, or if any of the viruses associated with mosquitoes are discovered here in Morris County."

McMorland said spraying has already started in some portions of the county, including sections of Montville, East Hanover, Florham Park and areas near Morristown Airport because of relatively high mosquito numbers, which he blamed on June’s above average rainfall.

McMorland said 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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Morris County has prepared a new Web page for planned road construction projects in the county.

The Web page, www.morrisdot.org/roads/roads-construction.asp, includes an interactive map and printable PDF list providing the approximate dates and descriptions for nearly 200 municipal, county and state road, bridge and sewer projects.

The Web page is meant to serve as an informational tool for commuters so they may avoid time-consuming delays due to road construction. The information covers projects scheduled to start in 2009 and 2010, and was provided by the project sponsors.

The road construction information may also be accessed from the Division of Transportation Web site, www.MorrisDOT.org, along with other transportation information such as maps, guides and schedules.

Transportation information may also be requested by phone at (973) 829-8101 or email at mcdot@co.morris.nj.us.

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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 30 historic sites in 21 towns. The freeholders approved the grants based upon the recommendation of the county's Historic Preservation Trust Fund Review Board.

Of the grants approved, 13 were for construction or restoration projects and 17
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 largest construction grant, $426,040, was awarded to Madison for the continued rehabilitation of 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.

Rockaway Township received a $300,368 construction grant for masonry and structural restoration of the Ford-Faesch House, built in 1768. The home was occupied by John Jacob Faesch, an ironmaster whose iron products, including ammunition for the Continental Army, were critical to the Revolutionary War effort.

A non construction grant totaling $76,825 was awarded to the Passaic River Coalition for a historic structures report for Willow Hall, built in 1848 in Morristown 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 property has been acquired by the Coalition, which plans to use Willow Hall as its headquarters.

Other projects receiving historic preservation grants for construction were the First Presbyterian Church & Congregation of Dover, $36,000; the First Presbyterian Church of Hanover in East Hanover, $98,379; the Community of St. John Baptist in Mendham Township, $150,382; the Oscar A. Kincaid Home of History, $100,000; the Ayres Farm House in Denville, $40,009; the Schuyler-Hamilton House in Morristown, $33,136; the Parsippany Presbyterian Church, $142,691; the Glenburn House in Riverdale, $88,979; the First Presbyterian Church of Rockaway, $203,651; the King Homestead Museum in Roxbury, $18,800; and the Union Church Ruin in Washington Township, $39,999.

Grants for non construction projects were approved for the Boonton Holmes Public Library in Boonton, $33,400; the Butler Railroad Station, $15,160; the Community Presbyterian Church in Chester Borough, $12,800; the Mendham Historic District in Mendham Borough, $5,000; the Washington Valley Schoolhouse in Morris Township, $12,128; the Church of the Redeemer in Morristown, $18,000; Morristown National Historic Park Museum Auditorium, $42,820; and St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Morristown, $78,037.

Other non construction grants went to the Woman's Club of Morristown, $12,640; Stephens Homestead in Mount Olive, $8,880; the Growing Stage in Netcong, $10,960; the Bowlsby-DeGelleke House in Parsippany, $16,000; the First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains, $26,600; the Hibernia Library in Rockaway Township, $10,840; the First Presbyterian Church of Succasunna, $23,400; and the King Homestead Museum in Roxbury, $5,000.

Since the program began, 60 historic sites in 30 communities have received grants totaling more than $10.4 million.

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

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