Honeywell Move Shocked Township, Report Says

Morris Township officials were shocked when they were notified by Honeywell hours ahead of  the company's announcement Tuesday that it was moving its global headquarters to neighboring Morris Plains, according a Morris NewsBee report.

Township Mayor Peter Mancuso, who has said the Fortune 100 company's plan to leave for neighboring Morris Plains in 2015 was "deeply disappointing," noted during Wednesday's Township Committee meeting Honeywell will maintain a building on the 147-acre site that houses its corporate technology center and lab and flight operations, the report says.

Michele Demarest of Citizens for Better Planning in Morris Township told the newspaper she expects litigation against the township over the zoning change will continue as long as the zone change is in place.

The group said in a statement to NJ.com Morris Township should "enter into productive dialogue with the residents of the entire township" including those who have asked for "less density, preservation of the Great Lawn, and minimized traffic impacts."

"Luckily, this story has not yet reached its conclusion," the statement said. "Our officials still have a chance to turn a situation with significant disadvantages to one that provides a win-win solution for all the citizens of this township."

Mancuso has said the new master plan for the site is still a good one and "Morris Township believes that our site remains superior to the newly revealed location in Morris Plains in all respects."

Honeywell has agreed to buy property and buildings on Route 53 in Morris Plains from McNeil-PPC Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company.