Morristown snags $310K for ‘energy resilience’ programs

Morristown volunteers are acknowledged for helping in the days after Superstorm Sandy. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Morristown volunteers are acknowledged for helping in the days after Superstorm Sandy. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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Morristown has been awarded $310,800 from the New Jersey Hazard Mitigation Grant Program by Gov. Christie, Mayor Tim Dougherty announced at Tuesday’s council meeting.

The money comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and is intended to support technologies to make communities more resilient in the face of storms like Hurricane Sandy.

Mayor Tim Dougherty, Fire Deputy Chief Jon Prachthauser, Police Capt. Steve Sarinelli and Frank Somma of the town Office of Emergency Management. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Mayor Tim Dougherty, Fire Deputy Chief Jon Prachthauser, Police Capt. Steve Sarinelli and Frank Somma of the town Office of Emergency Management. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

Some $168,000 will go to the town; the rest is earmarked for the Morris School District, the Mayor said.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory will offer technical advice on how to make facilities less susceptible to the power outages that followed Sandy one year ago.

Town Engineer Jeff Hartke and Police Capt. Steve Sarinelli of the town Office of Emergency Management will attend a seminar to learn more about the grant, said the Mayor.

News of the award was relayed to the town by its legislative representatives, state Sen. Anthony Bucco and Assemblymen Anthony M. Bucco and Michael Patrick Carrollall R-25th Dist.

Volunteers are honored for their help one year ago, after Superstorm Sandy. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Volunteers are honored by Mayor Tim Dougherty (right) for their help one year ago, after Superstorm Sandy. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

IN OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS…

The Mayor recognized volunteers from the town’s Office of Emergency Management for their efforts in the wake of Sandy last October.

“It was incredible what these people did during the storm,” he said, after handing out proclamations. “Their own homes and lives were affected, yet they gave their time and energy to help the town.”

To prepare for the next natural disaster, the town is holding training sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for its Community Emergency Response Team. The sessions at town hall are open to anyone who wants to volunteer. They run from 7 pm to 10 pm on Oct. 25, 2013; and from 8 am to 4 pm on Oct. 26 and 27.

Trick or treating is scheduled for two days in Morristown. The annual Halloween Parade starts at Morristown High School at 3 pm on Oct. 27 and festivities continue for two hours.

And on Halloween, Oct. 31, children can trick or treat at downtown businesses from 3-5 pm, said Jennifer Wehring of the Morristown Partnership.

Jenn also noted that new sidewalks and lights will be installed along Speedwell Avenue, between Flagler Street and Logan Avenue, through Nov. 15.  And she cited a new sneaker shop on Speedwell, a new tattoo parlor on Lackawanna Place near the train station and, coming soon, a boys- and menswear shop at the former location of International Pottery at 8 South St.

Speaking in favor of a proposed James Street sidewalk extension between Morristown and Morris Township, Marcy Needle of Bike and Walk Morristown presented findings of studies suggesting that property values are enhanced by such walkability features.

Steve Tarsitano, who lives on a quiet dead end on Wetmore Avenue, presented a petition asking the council to repeal or modify an ordinance that restricts on-street parking there.

The council voted 5-0 (Michelle Dupree Harris and Toshiba Foster were absent) to authorize leasing up to 140 parking spaces behind town hall for at least $80 apiece per month.

And the Mayor invited the public to learn about the status of zoning master plan revisions by attending the planning board meeting at 7:30 pm on Oct. 24.

Morristown volunteers are acknowledged for helping in the days after Superstorm Sandy. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Morristown volunteers are acknowledged for helping in the days after Superstorm Sandy. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

 

 

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