Morristown council: Shaking the trees, reshuffling town hall, tabling Snooki, and more

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Only God can make a tree. But anyone with a chainsaw can kill one. What price should the murderer pay?

That was among the hotter topics debated Tuesday by Morristown council members, at a meeting that also saw them:

  • Approve an overhaul of the zoning department
  • Bond $1.8 million for a key piece of the Speedwell Avenue redevelopment
  • Joust over a housing authority appointment
  • Table a proposed Snooki Law, and
  • Ponder the existential question: What is a bar?

The council voted 6-0 (Councilman Kevin Gsell was absent) for a new “destruction of public property” law establishing a $2,000 maximum fine for damaging anything from statues and street lights to . . . trees.

One of Plaque for one of Morristown's most famous trees--the Gold Star Mothers Tree. Photo by Bill Lescohier
One of Morristown's most famous trees--the Gold Star Mothers Tree. Photo by Bill Lescohier

But as a tree grows, so does its value, said Councilwoman Rebecca Feldman, arguing that the penalty is too paltry.

“A tree is not a light pole,” she said. “We need a shade tree commission with a specific ordinance that’s current and speaks to the value of one of our most valuable assets.”

Rebecca voted for the measure after an assurance from town Attorney Vij Pawar that penalties and enforcement procedures will be explored more fully by a shade tree commission to be established by Mayor Tim Dougherty’s administration, which has budgeted $100,000 to replace trees damaged by last year’s tropical storm and Nor’easter.

“Trees need their own category,” said Paul Miller, the town’s Sustainability coordinator and a member of the Environmental Commission. “They increase in value over time. They are public assets.”

ZONING RE-ZONED

By a 4-2 vote, the council approved creation of a new Department of Code Enforcement, which would absorb the departments of human services and building and construction, along with the zoning portion of the public works department.

A consulting firm recommended the moves, which are meant to cure communications breakdowns and promote information sharing, according to town Administrator Michael Rogers.  But Councilwomen Alison Deeb and Raline Smith-Reid opposed hiring a new department head at $70,000 to $100,000.

The Mayor bristled when Alison, the council’s lone Republican, called it an “expansion” of town government. Since 2009, 42 positions have been lopped from the town payroll through layoffs and attrition; some $7.5 million in savings were realized in 2010 alone, the Mayor said.

SPEEDWELL BONDING

The council unanimously approved a $1.8 million bond ordinance to pay for the extension of Prospect Street from Clinton to Early streets. Rebecca Feldman called it an essential component of Phase I of the Speedwell Avenue redevelopment. That phase calls for 268 apartment units to replace the town’s public works garage.

Over time, the borrowed money will be offset by annual in-lieu-of-tax payments of $650,000 from the redeveloper, said Michael Rogers, the administrator.

The council also approved a $199,500 bond sale to fund renovations to the Cauldwell playground swimming pool, which was flooded during Tropical Storm Irene.

HOUSING AUTHORITY TIFF

Some procedural fireworks preceded the 3-2 vote to name Dorothy Holman, mother of newly appointed Councilwoman Toshiba Foster, to a vacancy on the Morristown Housing Authority. (Toshiba abstained.)

Alison Deeb nominated attorney Naveen Nadipuram, a former GOP council candidate in the Second Ward.

Questions were raised about whether Naveen had filed paperwork indicating his willingness to serve as an unpaid housing commissioner. Town Clerk Matt Stechauner was dispatched to his office to check the records. It turned out that Naveen had indicated an interest in serving…but he checked the box for the board of adjustment, not the housing authority.

Alison wanted to table the matter until the next meeting, so Naveen could amend his filing. But Council President Michelle Harris-King was not in favor of that, and voting proceeded for Dorothy Holman. (Joining Alison in voting no was Raline Smith-Reid–the incumbent who defeated Naveen in last year’s council election, after edging Dorothy’s daughter, Toshiba, in the Democratic primary.)

After Tuesday’s meeting, Alison said the council had tabled voting at a prior meeting to allow Dorothy to update her own paperwork.

“It’s not a level playing field,” Alison contended.

The housing authority oversees the town’s seniors housing complexes.

CVS: BAD MEDICINE FOR MORRISTOWN?

A CVS pharmacy proposed for the busy intersection of Spring Street and Speedwell Avenue was opposed by three historic preservationists who addressed the council. Their main concern was the potential loss of brick buildings that formerly housed a car dealership and possibly, a mill.

That does not square with Morristown’s emphasis on sustainability, said Marion Harris of the town Historic Preservation Commission.

“If you have buildings you can re-use, don’t knock them down and cart them to a landfill,” she said.

“Even though it’s just an old brick building, it’s part of the town’s history,” added Elise Dann, an historic preservation architect from Mendham.

 SNOOKI TABLED

When Jersey Shore star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi wanted to shoot her new TV show in Morristown over the summer, it sent shock waves down South Street.

The Administration responded with a proposal to require a $100 permit and the hiring of local police for certain video shoots.

MAYBE NEXT SEASON? Jennifer “JWoww” Farley and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi won't be shooting episodes of their MTV reality show in Morristown, after all. Photo: MTV.com,
Jennifer “JWoww” Farley and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi almost shot their TV series in Morristown. A proposed town ordinance would require a permit if they ever decide to come back. Photo: MTV.com,

But the council tabled the measure for more study.

“I don’t feel we have fully looked at all the implications,” said Rebecca Feldman. Michelle Harris-King voiced concerns that the measure might restrict high schoolers shooting video projects.

A key passage declares:

“No person or organization shall film or permit filming on public or private land within the Town of Morristown without first having obtained a permit from the Town Council, which permit shall set forth the approved location of such filming and the duration of such filming by specific reference to day or dates. Said permit must be readily available for inspection by any Town Officials.”

The proposed ordinance also would regulate some still photos, and mandate that permit holders carry $2 million worth of insurance against damage caused while shooting in town.

A BAR BY ANY OTHER NAME

What is a bar?

Downtown bars triggered controversy all summer…yet they are not defined in Morristown’s zoning laws, which refer only to nightclubs and restaurants, said Rebecca Feldman.

“There is a lack of clarity,” she said, asserting that this may be a loophole that enables liquor license holders to skirt town requirements that their establishments derive their primary income from food sales, not alcohol. There appears to be some wiggle room because bars are not defined, she said.

When Rebecca asked for a study of how other towns define bars, Alison Deeb objected to paying town planners for such research. The Mayor chimed in that the Administration would perform the study; the council approved a motion to formally request it.

 

 

 

 

 

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