Township GOP Chairman George Moken told the fledgling board on Monday:
“I don’t want to become a suburb of Morristown as it spreads out and bringing Morristown with it into Morris Township… we must maintain our own suburban identity in Morris Township. There is a place for Morristowns, let’s keep a place for the Morris Townships.”
Moken addressed a volunteer panel that was established to “enhance and improve the business climate” in the Township, according to Mayor Dan Caffrey.
Caffrey also spoke during the public portion, citing a recent Wall Street Journal article that examined a trend of projects that blend commercial and residential development, for 24/7 use.
“We got it right with Honeywell,” asserted Caffrey, referring to the soon-to-be-former headquarters of the global corporation. The 147-acre tract on Columbia Road is being redeveloped with a mix of offices and 230 townhouses.
Susan Kiall Benedetto was named chairperson by fellow EDAC members Rick Haan, Paul Staudt, Scott Schubiger and Ed Burwell. All were appointed by the Township Committee. Vacancies remain; interested residents should contact the Township Clerk.
The advisory body also includes three ex-officio nonvoting members: The Township Planner, and the Administrator and Tax Assessor or their designees. Township Administrator Tim Quinn and Assistant Tax Assessor Kathryn Viarengo attended on Monday; Planner Paul Phillips was absent.
Meetings will be held in June, August, October and December at Town Hall. Dates will be announced.
EDAC members also heard from Meghan Hunscher, executive director of the Morris County Economic Development Corp. Hunscher has worked with other municipal advisory boards, and she shared suggestions on how the Township’s economic committee might wish to proceed.
Resident Lee Goldberg questioned the thoroughness of the application process, while suggesting that Morristown High School students might assist the new board with graphics and print materials.
Moken, meanwhile, recommended keeping neighboring towns at arm’s length.
“We should not fall for warm-sounding and misleading terminology and principles such as ‘green,’ ‘sustainable’ and ‘walkable’ communities, [and] circulation plans that guide you through every moment of your life,” he said.
“These devices have been and are being ushered in, in many communities in New Jersey such as Morristown, the Chathams, Madison and Millburn, just go through them. What we are talking about is high-density living with retail space that’s purveyed in New Jersey and it is on purpose,” he said.
At one point, Moken objected to public videotaping of the meeting. But Quinn, the Township administrator, indicated that he too was recording the session, in audio form.
Moken also advised EDAC members to be wary of people bearing advice.
Authorities couldn’t exist without the financial guarantees afforded by their host communities guaranteeing their bonds. Hopefully we eventually appoint more individuals who understand government.
M Friedman, you are correct, what Morristown does is our own business. I don’t recall anyone asking someone’s opinion from Morris Township of how we live or run our town however, one of your neighbors did just that.
No one is leading a charge of a dark agenda to subjugate your neighborhood to live one way or another. If you infer listening to ideas that don’t originate squarely in my town as outside interests, I’m ok with that. I’d rather hear different opinions and make a decision based on that instead of assuming different things are bad or change is unwelcome.
@ Margaret Brady– Thank you for your post and information, truly appreciated. I hope I am not coming across as “claiming” to understand municipal budgets. Trying to understand them has been an evolving process and the information provided by both a Morris Township employee and yourself in response to my original post has only served to help educate me and others who may be following this thread. You raise very valid points related to traffic and the Parking Authorities bonded debt and that is its own independent entity, thank you for the clarification. Taking your points at face value and as accurate prompts me to revise my numbers on how much debt is carried by each of Morris Twp and Morristown respectively.
Debt carried by Morristown roughly 40 Million
Debt carried by Morris Township 44 Million
I find it interesting that no one noticed that most of Morristown’s traffic problems were caused by the Township pattern of development which surrounded the town borders and its residential neighborhoods with commercial office development which generates much of the traffic on the Town streets. It would be difficult for the Town to sprawl its non residential uses into the Township because there is a solid border of township non residential uses surrounding the Town already. All that development on the Town’s borders pays taxes to the Township, while the bulk of its traffic travels through the Town.
It should be no surprise there is a need for higher densities in town when so much of its limited space and many tax paying buildings were taken for the expansion of non profit uses within our borders. This was not because the Town’s population grew to require that expansion but was a result of the increase of out of town users who required those services. All the surrounding communities are fortunate to benefit from all that Morristown has to offer them, although often at our local taxpayers expense. Considering the Township superior because they beneifit from their proximity is uncalled for in this situation. The two communities have many ways to support each other rather than comparing apples to oranges and treating each other in such a negative fashion.
It puzzles me that those who claim to understand municipal budgets would attempt to add the Parking Authority’s bonded debt to the Town’s debt. They are two entirely different entities. The town has its own parking budget and facilities, much like that of the Township. The Parking Authority is an independent entity with its own budget, separate legal obligations and requirements. It has an excellent bond rating. While, the Town does benefit from many of its services and the revenues from the fines. The Authority has never required any tax dollars to balance its budget. In fact, if the Town were responsible for the Parking Authority budget, they would no longer benefit from the lower interest rates and incur a number of other expenses now covered by Parking Authority contributions.
It’s us vrsus those people mentality. Some might just call it bigotry.
This post serves to correct debt comparisons I made earlier between Morristown and Morris Township. In an earlier post I indicated:
Morristown carries DEBT = 29 Million
Morris Township carries Debt = 44 Million
In the same post I asked Rick Watson, or anyone else willing, to clarify and assist with understanding the debt numbers as I interpreted them. This post serves to confirm that the following elaboration and explanation was provided to me by a Morris Township employee and for that I am appreciative. The numbers I originally posted did not paint an accurate picture of the debt carried by the two towns.
Morris Twp. carries a debt of 44 million which is a combination of General Debt plus Sewer, Parking and Swim Pool utilities debt.
The 25 million I mentioned in prior post was only for Morristown’s General Debt. I did not include 14 Million for the sewer debt and 34.6 Million for the Parking Authority Debt.
Debt carried by Morristown roughly 74 Million
Debt carried by Morris Township 44 Million
My original post on this topic concluded with the following question “Anyone have any ideas as to why, or an explanation?” Thanks to a person within the Township Administration reaching out to me to explain the information related to the topic I am hopeful the information is now reflected accurately.
You’re missing the point about Moken. I am sure the guy goes out to eat in and enjoys Morristown. I’ve heard the guy talk before and i get totally lost with the Agenda 21 black helicopters stuff. He probably, like most Morris Township residents, enjoys having open space, yards, and houses that are not on top of each other (or high-rise buildings for that matter). I live in Morris Township and grew up in Morristown. Both have good qualities and I genuinely love both places. But I hope you Morris Township residents touting the virtues of Morristown realize that every time Morristown builds one of these new high-rises, their mayor is screwing you because of the way he structures the development. I consider both Morristown and Morris Township home, but I don’t think some of you realize how municipal budgets actually work. And to the person who commented about Morristown debt, you are missing several categories of Morristown’s debt. You are only focused on their general debt, yet you included Morris Township debt from all sources. I wont do the homework for you, but if you go get Morristown’s budget and look at debt from all sources, you will see that they are in debt probably somewhere around 60-75 million. Also look at how close they are to the tax cap. Say what you want about Morris Township politicians, but if you know how to read a budget you will realize that they have kept the Township in very good shape and actually mnight be TOO conservative with some of their projections and line items.
This place is not the same as it was 20+ years ago – I know because I lived here then too. The traffic is considerably worse and thus more dangerous for people trying to walk in areas where one upon a time a sidewalk wasn’t necessary. Now they are. A sidewalk isn’t the long hand of government forcing some crazy way of life on you – any more than a seatbelt law is.
Friedman,
Don’t put words in my mouth. Stop wasting bandwidth have something more constructive to offer than the same old NIMBY straw man arguments.
The meaning of the word “sprawl” was altered to insult people who enjoy NOT living in large towns and cities. People, do not allow the conversation to be controlled by those who would attempt to shame you by using the term. I live in the suburbs not the sprawl. It is becoming akin to the “R” word (racist). Ask them to define their terms and take back control of the conversation and your dignity.
Question for Rick Watson (or anyone else who may be able to provide insight) Rick, I am asking you because as a former Morris Township Mayor and long serving Committeeman I would think you would be able to provide an explanation.
Morristown carries DEBT = 29 Million
Morris Township carries Debt = 44 Million
Does Morristown historically carry less debt when compared to Morris Township? Morristown has roughly 19 thousand residents and Morris Twp has roughly 22,000. They both offer similar services to their residents from what I can tell. So what accounts for the difference? Is it as simple as Morristown is managed more efficiently from a fiscal perspective or is that over simplifying the difference, Anyone have any ideas as to why, or an explanation?
I’ve heard Mr. Moken, chairman of the Morris Township Republican Party, state many times his belief that ideas like “green, sustainable, and walkable” are “dangerous” because they’re based on the “hidden agendas” of “misguided” groups – like Sustainable Jersey, for example. To what extent does this view represent the local Republican party and its members? To what extent does this perspective influence local officials as they make decisions on behalf of our community? I think these are important questions the two Republican candidates for local office ought to answer.
I think ‘Homie” bought his/her home in the wrong neighborhood and is therefor trying to change it. Perhaps he should move to someplace he would be happier rather than attempting to change how his neighbors live. He may be happier in Morristown than Morris Twp. Don’t make your problem my problem.
“Lessee”- Morris Twp has people of many colors, origins, income levels. Is that diversity?
“Townie”- Residents in Morris Twp have been surveyed before about paving our yards with sidewalks. Perhaps you and “Homie” both selected homes in areas that do not meet your needs/wants and should move to an area that is more suited to your taste rather than attempting to force those of us who moved here because we like it to live your way.
To “Mike Leavy”- What Morristown does is their business. I do not choose to live in a town controlled by outside interests and people who think they know best what I should do and try to control my activities. That is why I live in Morris Twp. where I was born. I enjoy the rural atmosphere. If I could or preferred to walk or bike around a town and live in a high rise with little privacy I would move to Morristown. Why are you people trying to force me to live as you deem ‘best’? Leave me alone and stop trying to control everyone. Your idea of environmentally responsible is probably not the same as mine. Does that mean you should be able to take my rights and force your opinions and ways down my throat?
Last time I checked, the local property tax (the 25% or so portion that doesn’t go to the School District or County) in Morris Twp was about half what it would be in Morristown for a home of the same actual value. Something to ponder.
That said, Morristown is a wonderful community with many good qualities.
As far as sidewalks are concerned, if you want them, pick a house that has them, if not, pick one that doesn’t. In Morris Twp we believe in freedom of choice, so there are communities of both types; in this sense we’re more diverse than Morristown.
Morristown and Morris Township are unique places AND they are inescapably bound together by geography. Our communities prosper when leaders eschew “either/or” in favor of “AND”. The renaissance of downtown Morristown benefits from the vitality of the surrounding suburbs AND the suburbs are most successful when they have access to our vibrant commercial and cultural center. Here’s to the best for both – Rebecca Feldman, Morristown Council President
@Townie, what you describe is exactly what Township residents want. They want the 50s sprawl model with the 1/2 acre lots; they would have stayed in Maplewood or -gasp!- Hoboken otherwise. In no way is the Township walkable; I did not get sidewalks in front of my house until the 00s. I even have to drive to walk my dog as my neighborhood is WAY too pedestrian averse. I agree that the Township is governed by a retrograde cabal; the “reform” candidate Cathy Wilson who ran for council was soundly defeated in the last election. This lot spends too much time hand wringing over who lost Honeywell rather than proposing a new vision. If the demographers are right and the millennials eschew suburbia, our future is none too bright,
Lessee .. Morristown has people of many colors, origins, income levels. Is that the diversity that Mr. Moken fears will happen to his precious township?
Wow – walkable communities are a bad thing?! Sorry, but I want my kids to be able to walk to a friend’s house without being run over!
I pay a lot in taxes here in good ole’ Morris Township and I can tell you that we are not in danger of “becoming Morristown.” The people who run this place are too backwards, it is like a throw back to the 1950s. They lack any vision, so no – I don’t think anything but out modeled development will ever be permitted. We should continue to only build office parks that sit vacant, yes – that would be good for our tax base.
They might as well as: Be afraid of the environmentalists! Hippie, tree hugging freaks!
I’m still not sure what he means. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t mind his town’s property values going up due to increased interest in Morristown. Making a town accessible and more environmentally responsible isn’t good?