A centennial in Morris Plains: Re-enacting its split from Hanover

By Haley Velasco

A century after officially separating from Hanover Township, the borough of Morris Plains marked the split with a special meeting that blended history, civic pride and a look toward the future.

The celebration opened Thursday with a ceremonial declaration from the Town Crier, portrayed by Tim Yuskaitis, a Fair Lawn resident and New Jersey Transit police officer. Dressed for the role, Yuskaitis set the tone as he announced the historic milestone and called the meeting to order.

Video by Haley Velasco for Morristown Green:

Then, 12 students from the Borough School — Heidi Krause, Emma Lyons, Charlie Geller, Shambhav Shriraam, Maya Piccirillo, Aarya Borundiya, Swara Phatak, Jayne Kocisky, Payton Waxman, Nolan Backus, Darla McKenzie and Maya McKinlay — took center stage to re-enact the events that led to Morris Plains becoming an independent borough.

Through dialogue focused on taxes, representation and community support, the students portrayed council members and residents debating the benefits of self-governance.

“It’s an investment in our future,” one student declared while representing a council member, drawing applause from the audience.

Mayor Jason Karr later presented each student with a commemorative pin and shared a formal proclamation honoring the centennial, noting that Morris Plains has “consistently balanced progress with preserving its strong sense of community.”

The celebration also included a proclamation from Morris County Commissioner Tayfun Selen, who joked how Hanover Mayor Ace Gallagher would love it if Morris Plains came back.

Morris Plains Police Chief Michael Koroski presented Karr with an honorary police badge in recognition of his support for the department.

While the anniversary highlighted the borough’s past, the remainder of the meeting focused on present and future municipal business.

Councilwoman Nancy Verga discussed the need to update the borough’s master plan, noting that the last comprehensive plan was adopted in 2000.

She emphasized the importance of setting a clear direction for the Council moving forward and outlined updates to the dwelling ordinance and a new pet licensing system, which requires all pets to be licensed by the end of January. Verga also announced a shredding fundraiser at the Morris Plains Library on April 25, 2026.

Councilperson Tyler Pontier and Koroski reported on recent police department updates, including the completion of field training for full-time Officer Noah Rawding, completing the department’s squad. Koroski said Rawding “has been a great addition.”

The department also re-certified its participation in the New Jersey Safe Routes to School program, which provides safe and equitable access to active transportation for people of all ages and abilities, and to the First Amendment Response Team, which recently sent a couple of officers to assist with security during an ICE-related protest in Morristown.

Pontier also spoke to how Morris Plains Fire Prevention Bureau Chief Chris Shay will add roughly 500 units to the inspection schedule over the next two years, after expanding inspections to apartments above retail spaces and multifamily dwellings.

“Chief Shay has already started on the inspections with the passing of the ordinance last year,” Pontier said. “January starts the cycle. … This is going to be the busiest year (Shay) has ever had.”

Councilman Art Bruhn said Department of Public Works crews have been especially busy, maintaining parks and public spaces. “They keep our parks clean,” Bruhn said.

Borough Engineer William Ryden presented an update on a FEMA Flood Map study, reporting on revised preliminary maps that were presented at a meeting earlier this month.

“I am happy to say that Morris Plains has had essentially no change in the mapped flood areas,” Ryden said. “There were 28 (properties) affected in 2024, it stays the same. There is no expansion.”

Now, there’s a 90-day waiting period for feedback, then a letter of determination to approve the maps, and if approved, the maps would go into effect, according to Ryden. The only action that Morris Plains must take is to update its Flood Hazard Ordinance by the end of 2027 to align with the newly adopted maps and to have updated terminology.

Resident Cherylan Davies of Kathleen Place addressed the Council on the maps, saying she has raised concerns about flood zone designations for more than 20 years, and that residents were not given prior notice for the flood hearing.

“We are still considered the same risk as people who live on rivers that crest,” Davies said. “There’s no water. It’s just very frustrating.”

Councilman Michael Ivey reported on the Municipal Alliance, saying 249 animals were vaccinated for free during the borough’s rabies clinic, the first Alliance event of the year.

“The rabies clinic was a huge success,” Ivey said. “In about two and a half hours, they were able to vaccinate 249 animals, which turns out to be one every 33 seconds.”

As the meeting concluded, officials emphasized that the centennial celebration was not only a reflection on Morris Plains’ origins, but also a reminder of the civic engagement that continues to shape the borough 100 years later.