Mayor, at start of campaign year, declares Morristown in ‘best financial position ever’

Mayor Tim Dougherty, right, summarizes his achievements while his potential campaign rival, Councilwoman Michelle Dupree Harris, left, listens. Councilman Bob Iannaccone is in the middle. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Mayor Tim Dougherty, right, summarizes his achievements while his potential campaign rival, Councilwoman Michelle Dupree Harris, left, listens. Councilman Bob Iannaccone is in the middle. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
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Video: Mayor Tim Dougherty touts state’s ‘hottest town’

By Kevin Coughlin

He hasn’t made it official yet. But Morristown Mayor Tim Dougherty sounded on Tuesday like a man seeking a third term this year.

“I’m always the optimist, and I can proudly say that the town of Morristown is in the best financial position it has ever been,”  Dougherty said at the town council’s annual reorganization meeting.

Councilwoman Michelle Dupree Harris, who ran on Dougherty’s ticket four years ago, told MorristownGreen.com in 2015 that she will run for mayor.  Formal announcements from both officials are anticipated soon.

The at-large council seats of Harris, Toshiba Foster and Michael Elms, all Democrats, also are on the ballot in November, in what town Clerk Kevin Harris said “promises to be a very exciting period” in town.

Dougherty’s remarks came on an evening in which the council unanimously re-elected members Stefan Armington and Foster as its president and vice president, respectively.  The council also approved numerous mayoral and council appointments to boards and contractor jobs, and adopted a $9.1 million temporary budget to keep government running until the 2017 budget is ready.

Mayor Tim Dougherty, right, summarizes his achievements while his potential campaign rival, Councilwoman Michelle Dupree Harris, left, listens. Councilman Bob Iannaccone is in the middle. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Mayor Tim Dougherty, right, summarizes his achievements while his potential campaign rival, Councilwoman Michelle Dupree Harris, left, listens. Councilman Bob Iannaccone is in the middle. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

‘TOUGH BUT FAIR’

Stefan Armington is sworn in for second year as council president, as his wife and son watch. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Stefan Armington is sworn in for second year as council president, as his wife and son watch. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

The Mayor claimed credit–with help from his administration and the council–for righting a “financial crisis” he inherited seven years ago. 

He cited a record of zero tax increases and a “tough but fair” precedent-setting tax victory over Morristown Medical Center.

High-profile developments, he said, include the Fox-Rothschild office, scheduled for a winter opening on Market Street; eight luxury town homes on Maple Avenue; and the former Liberty Travel office, which, after years of vacancy, has been transformed into a Blue Mercury shop and 16 apartments overlooking the Morristown Green.

Toshiba Foster takes oath for her second year as council vice president, as her daughter and mother look on. Photo by Kevin Coughlin
Toshiba Foster takes oath for her second year as council vice president, as her daughter and mother look on. Photo by Kevin Coughlin

A $400,000 traffic study, a new “form-based” planning format, and a possible parking garage behind the post office promise continued “smart growth,” Dougherty said. 

Municipal collaborations with nonprofits Morris Arts, Grow It Green Morristown and Habitat for Humanity, he said, have moved the town closer to achieving a vision stated in its master plan: To become the state’s “most welcoming, beautiful, healthy, resilient, and sustainable place to live, work and play.”

“Morristown is the hottest town in New Jersey and a very desirable location in which to live,” Dougherty said.

APPOINTMENTS

Council appointments, unanimous except as noted:

  • Councilman Michael Elms, board of Special Improvement District (Morristown Partnership).
  • Councilman Stefan Armington, planning board.
  • Councilwoman Toshiba Foster, Morris County Community Development Revenue Sharing Committee (appointed by Council President Stefan Armington).
  • Councilwoman Hiliari Davis, Morristown Housing Authority (Armington appointment).
  • Councilman Robert Iannaccone, Morristown Parking Authority (Armington appointment).
  • Margret Brady, commissioner, Morristown Parking Authority.
  • Scott Wild, zoning board.
  • Michael Schmidt, zoning board.
  • Jeff Stiles, zoning board, alternate.
  • Adrienne Brown Greenberg, rent leveling board (landlord).
  • Bill Byrne, rent leveling board, alternate (tenant); approved by 4-2 vote (opposed by Council Members Michael Elms and Alison Deeb, who favored John Mitchell).

Mayoral appointments, approved unanimously, included:

  • Inglesino, Webster, Wyciskala & Taylor LLC, for Assistant Municipal Attorney.
  • John P. Inglesino of Inglesino, Webster, Wyciskala & Taylor LLC as Special Redevelopment Counsel.
  • Apruzzese, McDermott, Mastro & Murphy PC as Special Legal Counsel.
  • DeCotiis, Fitzpatrick & Cole LLC as Labor Counsel.
  • Metropolitan Center for Forensic Psychology for Psychological Services to Police & Fire.
  • The firm O’Connor Davies as Auditor.
  • DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole LLP as Special Legal Counsel.
  • Murphy Orlando LLC as Special Legal Counsel.
  • Alaimo Group as Consulting Engineering for 2017.
  • Matthew. J. O’Donnell Esq. as Special Tax Appeal Counsel.
  • McNerney & Assoc. Inc. for Appraisal Services for Tax Assessments.
  • Robert J. Rudy III as Municipal Prosecutor.
  • Terry Webb as Municipal Public Defender.
  • Robert Warmington as Conflict Municipal Public Defender.
  • Fairview Insurance Agency for Risk Management Consulting Services.
  • Fairview Insurance Agency for Professional Insurance Consulting Services.
  • Topology for On-Call Planning Services.
  • McManimon and Scotland LLC as Bond Counsel.
  • ARH Associates as Conflict Consulting Engineering for 2017.

Financial details of these contracts are here.

 

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