Morristown council roundup: Irene aftermath, new DPW site, nicer town hall parking lot

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Yes, some residents lost power for a week. But Morristown responded pretty well to Tropical Storm Irene, considering that an entire electrical substation flooded out and Jersey Central Power & Light “had no Plan B,”  Mayor Tim Dougherty told the town council on Tuesday.

“What we’ve learned is, we did a lot of things well,” the Mayor said.”But we’re not delusional. We know there are things we have to do better, communication being one of those issues.”

Widespread power outages meant residents lost internet service and the ability to recharge cell phones. If another storm like this hits again, the Mayor said the town would put a generator-powered message board outside town hall, advising people of emergency services.

Narrating a slide show depicting damage from the storm, the Mayor was quick to praise efforts by town emergency management personnel, police, firefighters (they pumped floodwater from 69 buildings), public works crews and the Red Cross.

Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty narrates slide show about local damage from Tropical Storm Irene. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty narrates slide show about local damage from Tropical Storm Irene. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

He also had cautious kudos for JCP&L, for bringing the town back online without the Ridgedale Avenue substation.

One of Irene’s casualties is Cory Road; it will continue being limited to one way traffic (Speedwell Avenue to Martin Luther King Avenue from 5 am to noon; Martin Luther King Avenue to Speedwell Avenue, noon to 5 am) for up to two months while the storm-damaged road is repaired, said town Engineer Jeff Hartke.

Morristown will seek federal reimbursement for the work, said town Administrator Michael Rogers. A more comprehensive report on the storm’s local impact is being compiled, according to the Mayor.

The Mayor said he has joined Morristown’s state legislators in asking the state Board of Public Utilities for a hearing in Morristown on JCP&L’s performance. He said the BPU also is investigating last month’s manhole explosion, which injured two people driving through the intersection of South and James streets.

IN OTHER BUSINESS…

The council introduced a $2 million bond ordinance to fund construction of a new public works garage–in Hanover.

Morristown owns 18 acres there that house its sewage treatment plant. The new garage would occupy  a portion of the front corner of the site, near Hanover Avenue.

The town must find a new home for its DPW garage–which sits between Early and Atno streets–to make room for a 268-apartment complex. This ordinance will supersede a $3.5 million bond ordinance passed in 2009.

Meanwhile, work has begun on a beautification project in the parking lot behind town hall. For years, Franklin Street residents have called the lot an eyesore.

“This will beautify Franklin Street,” said landscape architect (and MorristownGreen contributor) Carolle Huber , who has proposed more than 200 low-maintenance shrubs and trees that should be colorful in spring, summer and fall. They will be planted in what will resemble an “undulating,” aesthetically pleasing pattern, she said.

“The goal was to create a plan to make town hall look better for the next 25 years,”  said Carolle, also a founding member of Grow It Green Morristown.

Starting Monday, there will be only one Franklin Road entrance to the lot instead of two. The renovations actually will add nine parking spaces, for a total of 359.

The council  unanimously okayed the $350,000 acquisition of 20 Hillcrest Avenue for a park, and the lease of space on Spring Street to Bethel AME Church for two years.

And after 19 months of issuing proclamations, the Mayor was on the receiving end for a change. Councilwoman Rebecca Feldman presented him with official thanks for hatching last month’s successful jazz festival on the Morristown Green.

READ MORE ABOUT IRENE

 

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