Community Corner

Issues to Watch in Morris Township and Morris Plains in 2014

A new year brings a new list of things to keep an eye on.

With all that happens in Morris Township and Morris Plains, it would take you until 2015 to read all of the prospective points of interests coming up. Here are a few that leapt out at us. 

1. Pfizer 

Pfizer, Pfizer and more Pfizer. Everyone wants to know what is going to happen with the former pharmaceutical company's lot. The buildings have been systematically and dramatically wiped out but final approvals on development of the site hasn't been given

Find out what's happening in Morris Township-Morris Plainswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

2. Daycare Development Saga

Two four-hour long battles at the zoning board and this issue is just heating up. Rainbow Academy is looking to open a daycare center on the border of Morristown and Morris Township and has met with resistance and concerns over traffic. The center, which has 17 New Jersey branches and nearly twice as many across New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, is asking the board for variances to permit erecting a 10,765-square-foot daycare center in an unused parking lot in a residential zone that includes the Convent Mews condominiums. 

Find out what's happening in Morris Township-Morris Plainswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

3. James Street Sidewalk Extension

Residents and business owners both in Morristown and in Morris Township are looking to extend the James Street sidewalk to literally bridge the walking gap between the two communities. 

While concerns about walking safety prompted the initial talks, there are some road blocks in the way in terms of funding for the project as well as who has rights to certain segments of the road

4. Morristown High School Principal Search

The Morris School District is still looking for a full time replacement for Linda Murphy, who recently found herself a new gig, and has yet to settle on a candidate. To make matters interesting, the district recently did some administrator shuffling when the interim principal named to fill in for Murphy had to take time to recovery from surgery

5. Greystone

While not within the town limits the issue of Greystone continues to loom large for all the towns that surround it. The former Asylum at Morristown could be demolished as originally planned or turned into open space or possibly developed or preserved. Many of these options would have lasting implications on everything from traffic to the school systems. 

6. Morris Township New Court

In a surprising move, the Morris Township governing body made the move to dissolve their court system. Starting Jan. 1 they are joining with Madison, both Chathams and Harding Township. The deal is projected to save the township a six figure chunk of change, but also has an out clause six months in

Tell us: What do you see as the pressing issues facing Morris Township and Morris Plains? Tell us in the comments below. 


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