[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6243934,"mediaKeyId","3237006-0f1d44f5680983ce9ce957b9f485ded6","parentId",3237006,"title","Morris Township to investigate resident's flooding complaint after neighbor patio work; zoning permit questions raised","audioSeconds",224,"startMs",498000,"endMs",722000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3237006-0f1d44f5680983ce9ce957b9f485ded6&start=498&end=722","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3237006-0f1d44f5680983ce9ce957b9f485ded6/thumbnail_498000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6243934/New-Jersey/Morris-Township-to-investigate-residents-flooding-complaint-after-neighbor-patio-work-zoning-permit-questions-raised","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243934-f79b4687bfc4be825cde5f000d5780a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162269&Signature=cPcaDTT3sC22b9eNYd3f~Qr03i8dNhGjikkAf6mgRnbJb2LilOKzGkZD5EwXNKa179TjKVj7xc7HpUDUfus~KGx3YkRdI9VL7zWs2l3VK2wZxVG6l5~Yfbfq8Z~ZHX05HsQLrhMfcPYmUGGhqKf36aWCOEDZoQpJtz501qcy75cCQpJqy5oP9EQI46t5zKiZk1wN9YHO87gYBtrauaXQO1mspLDVcdjLKKA-A8-3fBuZlriyy2-XPM3V8RDMRUK7-c5pz~m8gHXDpli8qOotfkrsJhn3ihVSyd-l6cyfoYHKgh2YEZJqrF7f2eMOLzi8fXKLwNMbfhgoO~DdNycecw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Morris Township Videos","date","2025-04-21T14:54:41Z","article","At the April 16 meeting, resident Tina Casal of 11 Tall Timber Drive in Morris Township told the committee her property has flooded repeatedly over two years and she attributes the problem to a neighbor's patio extension.

\"After that, my backyard flooded, my basement flooded, my driveway flooded,\" Casal said, describing repeated cleanups and repairs she has had to perform. She told officials the neighbor did not pull a permit and that runoff now overwhelms her French drain.

Township staff said inspectors have visited the site previously. Township Administrator Tim Quinn told Casal he would review the documentation already submitted, bring the newly appointed engineer up to speed and follow up with her \"if not tomorrow, certainly at the beginning of next week.\"

On procedural questions from Casal, staff said zoning review is typically required for patio extensions; if an extension exceeds certain size limits, the matter would go to the Board of Adjustment for relief. The township said failure to secure required permits is subject to fines and could bar issuance of future permits for the property.

Officials said the township has had inspectors on site and will reexamine the matter with the incoming engineer so the township can advise Casal on potential enforcement or remediation steps. No enforcement action was announced at the meeting; staff committed to a follow‑up with the resident after consulting records and the new engineer.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Morris Township Committee - April 16th 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A Morris Township resident reported repeated backyard and basement flooding she links to a neighbor's unpermitted patio extension. Township officials said inspectors have visited, staff will follow up with a new engineer, and zoning review/permits may be required if impervious coverage or slope changes exceed thresholds.","taxTitle","Morris Township, Morris County, New Jersey","taxId",72799,"location","New Jersey","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6243939,"Collinsville playground project delayed after soil test finds contamination; town identifies abandoned underground tank",85,5851000,5936000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3237006-0f1d44f5680983ce9ce957b9f485ded6&start=5851&end=5936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3237006-0f1d44f5680983ce9ce957b9f485ded6/thumbnail_5851000.jpg","/articles/6243939/New-Jersey/Collinsville-playground-project-delayed-after-soil-test-finds-contamination-town-identifies-abandoned-underground-tank","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243939-b29abf9cd90a50a2ec472ada8ba22dfc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162268&Signature=lswnhHZZjzWb6dCA8nJdRSS6K5p3Vr~~pWfeeZv9MkdeISVHE7xIvRu053o5mtm3vXiOocnqrOOT5NYAL9PkXLLgcf6UxOiEvUYw7te2qrPT2DxGi3vR~dybQFt6CUxQ4m6GiJY4iojWW626y9Z8cHouRLEdybVSUsdWu8imJ-HXxXxjeNjvNuUwKiUwJVdOegp8-ruh3EiHsGx8bsCetoGgcU~8jkFvLvcZKJm-YSIuV8JzY0uV7hik7hp50UoJCA2PZvh5vanNdX4vG3ygnE5BEZ05g22GsGpe1InzB5V4fCN~Vk-XR-uhfGLD~aZGVSwKJJwpzTU7WuD8o-fOCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Morris Township officials said on April 16 that work on the Collinsville playground and Tucker Field reconstruction is delayed after environmental sampling found elevated levels of a hydrocarbon compound near the former school demolition area.

\"It came back for a chemical called benzoprene, which is from when the school was originally demolished there,\" Township Administrator Tim Quinn said. He said the township received final approval for a licensed site remediation professional (LSRP) from Green Acres and that additional testing is required to determine whether remediation will require soil removal or capping in limited areas, likely around the basketball court.

Quinn also told the committee that crews located an underground storage tank on the site that appears to be a 3,000‑gallon oil tank from the school's earlier configuration. \"When we opened it up and we tested it, there was no oil in it,\" he said. The township will register the tank with the state as required, remove the tank and test the soil beneath it to confirm whether any contamination exists.

Until the additional soil tests and any necessary remediation are completed, the township said it cannot move bulk soil on the recreation site. Quinn said a contractor will continue work limited to Tucker Field while remediation planning proceeds.

Committee members said the township will notify residents within 400 feet of the park about the issue and the remediation plan. The governing body also discussed funding concerns after a resident asked whether federal grant money tied to the project could be at risk given current uncertainty in Washington, D.C.

Committee members said they were optimistic the project grant remains secure — the township reported active coordination with the local HUD representative — but said the township has a robust open space trust fund and would cover shortfalls if federal funding were delayed or reduced.

No final remediation decision was taken at the meeting. Officials said they will proceed with the LSRP testing and then present remediation options and cost estimates to the committee.","Work at the Collinsville/Tucker Field playground project paused after sampling detected benzoprene near the former school demolition site. Township officials say Green Acres and an LSRP are involved; an underground 3,000‑gallon oil tank was found but contained no oil.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6243943,"Morris Township adopts 2025 municipal budget; committee approves multiple ordinances and motions in consent votes",2372,2279000,4651000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3237006-0f1d44f5680983ce9ce957b9f485ded6&start=2279&end=4651","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3237006-0f1d44f5680983ce9ce957b9f485ded6/thumbnail_2279000.jpg","/articles/6243943/New-Jersey/Morris-Township-adopts-2025-municipal-budget-committee-approves-multiple-ordinances-and-motions-in-consent-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243943-ef33719efc90dc152b327fc44bf7219f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162268&Signature=WkP37CIf8NpsDv1nn7rRPvTh1nEH4RcYH6JUqY5HRNs8qAk-vGxvG1DqI8tc~~69cnhmfk4OEQSbQHZ4-XMVq4V8kwWS2j266AGRwyWbuNe5mNYycS0-msfPUhgz4b5jnJzSz0s0ITuvhgOitvEScXqyAbubyde3kntFOjD6kgXN~hfrG7nKXTrGFOo7H5HxANELt7wLHscaxWmitnB8yaMVQfhTzVD3-1QMqTQJqjXxSB4XYWrRAx~lT6why0skiVF3Y-SwVaO~n-1TgwvwXw0XNzd740QssexiI-6r-FelbR0xn3jZnB4KRYzEOcV3WKdgiX2DA-hoZzxK7bvLoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Morris Township Committee adopted its 2025 municipal budget on April 16 after a presentation by Township Administrator Tim Quinn, Chief Financial Officer Sean Ferguson and auditor Valerie Dolan.

\"You are putting forth a very good budget. It's a sound, fiscally sound budget,\" auditor Valerie Dolan said during the presentation and signaled the township's accounts were within state caps and suitable for self‑examination this year.

Quinn and CFO Sean Ferguson walked the committee through revenues, appropriations and capital plans. The adopted budget totals roughly $42.9 million in total budgeted expenditures, with municipal taxes of about $25.2 million, miscellaneous revenues of about $8.3 million and an anticipated use of fund balance. The township said the municipal portion of the average homeowner's tax will rise by less than 1 percent — approximately $25.47 annually on a $600,000 home — while overall property tax allocations shifted due to changes in equalized valuations.

After the public hearing and discussion, the Township Committee carried the adoption by roll call. The clerk read the tax-and-budget resolution into the record and the committee voted unanimously to adopt the budget and tax resolution.

The meeting also included multiple formal votes. The committee adopted Ordinance 10‑25 to authorize use of a cap bank under state budget law and declared the ordinance approved. The meeting further introduced a package of ordinances for public hearing and later adoption, including ordinances numbered 11‑25 through 19‑25 (capital improvement bonds, sewer projects, parking security cameras and open‑space appropriations). Each introduction carried a separate roll‑call vote; the introductions were approved by the committee and scheduled for public hearing and final consideration at the May 21 meeting.

Other formal motions approved in the regular session included the claims list for payment totaling $12,767,469.35 and a set of consent calendar resolutions; both were carried by roll call.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 10‑25 (exceed municipal budget appropriation limits and establish cap bank under N.J.S.A. 40A:4‑45.14): adopted (roll call: unanimous). Mayor Donna J. Gruglia declared the ordinance approved and directed the clerk to publish notice.

- 2025 Municipal Budget and Tax Resolution: adopted (roll call: unanimous). The resolution set municipal appropriations at $25,205,583.85 for municipal purposes and included a separate open space trust levy.

- Ordinances 11‑25 through 19‑25 (introduction for public hearing May 21, 2025): introduced by roll call; topics include non‑union salary ranges (11‑25), towing/storage fee increases (12‑25), capital bond ordinance for road projects (13‑25), swimming pool debt (14‑25), sewer capital improvements (15‑25), general capital improvements (16‑25), sewer capital fund appropriations (17‑25), Convent Train Station security camera upgrades (18‑25), and open space trust fund appropriations (19‑25). Each introduction was approved by roll call. Final hearings set for May 21, 2025.

- Claims and vouchers (bills): approved (roll call: unanimous). Total: $12,767,469.35.

No member of the committee recorded a dissenting vote during the roll calls shown in the transcript.

The committee scheduled public hearings and final votes for the introduced ordinances at its May 21 meeting.","The Township Committee adopted the 2025 municipal budget and approved a set of ordinances for introduction; the meeting included roll‑call votes on budget adoption, ordinance 10‑25 (cap bank), and introductions for a package of capital and utility ordinances.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6243948,"Morris Township committee endorses plan to develop \"bike‑walk‑roll\" network; TAC seeks staff support and funding",1276,939000,2215000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3237006-0f1d44f5680983ce9ce957b9f485ded6&start=939&end=2215","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3237006-0f1d44f5680983ce9ce957b9f485ded6/thumbnail_939000.jpg","/articles/6243948/New-Jersey/Morris-Township-committee-endorses-plan-to-develop-bikewalkroll-network-TAC-seeks-staff-support-and-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6243948-0cf03662b869d3b75a95af5b7376017d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771162268&Signature=XlSAfX-r7BeMzU2qIVpC0yT~QSXGBeiDkNwi8rrqyuBnEA~nZNlmlMf9HsA5Rn6IZiQCTrd9XWCY6Y1sxmOeYK13c5dmxS~UbEcaJ8ZSuQ~Ks4EagfOgWJxSL0~7URbyrIcgw7FwBzVTovHz2BgOvLhOX5fSjq6Vs9j9ioFbBan7jxfExbKSAFGPhI1dmB~tGNDONFii9bHJysMlilu20POAFiUSykZkMQaxfXDUUdpEjaR2s84hGX2lQilyhE3FzWLDgZFeWdirAgWXyUne30kR24pWBv3YC3WTawhvMFlxR3RohHGzCVqzw~zQIvcOZDlSg8rgS2ikIuty9AVXWQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Transportation Advisory Committee on April 16 presented a draft \"bike‑walk‑roll\" plan aimed at improving biking, walking and micromobility safety and connectivity across Morris Township, and the Township Committee endorsed moving the plan into a formal development phase.

\"We have been talking about the possibility of a bike, walk and now roll plan for a number of months,\" said Betty Simmons of the Transportation Advisory Committee, who presented the draft and the list of potential stakeholders. She said the plan expands beyond traditional bike-and-walk planning to include scooters and electric bikes.

The plan is framed to align with the township's existing Complete and Green Streets initiative, the master plan and the trails and pathways plan, and to reduce vehicle traffic and greenhouse‑gas emissions while improving safety and access. Simmons told the committee the effort is currently in an early planning stage and would likely take 18 to 24 months to develop a full, actionable plan.

Committee members and the mayor praised the proposal and discussed next steps. Committeeman Jorphy said he supported the plan and its educational component. \"It's a well thought out plan,\" he said. Mayor Donna J. Gruglia and other members noted the effort will likely require participation from township departments and staff and could rely on grants to fund technical work.

Simmons told the committee the TAC has already begun outreach to Morristown, county parks officials and other nearby municipalities to coordinate cross‑jurisdictional routes and to use existing plans as benchmarks. The presentation listed potential stakeholders including police, recreation, and county and municipal planners; Simmons said the committee wants broad community input before drafting firm recommendations.

Township staff signaled support for coordination. Simmons said the TAC does not plan to move forward with major technical work without formal endorsement and access to township staff and resources.

The committee directed staff to work with TAC to refine a statement of intent, identify funding opportunities and return with a plan to begin stakeholder engagement. No formal appropriation was made at the meeting; councilors said they expect to pursue grants and to use existing township planning resources where appropriate.

The committee emphasized education and safety measures as central to implementation, and discussed routing recommendations that would steer riders away from high‑speed corridors and toward alternative local streets and off‑street paths where feasible.

TAC and the committee said they will return with more detailed timelines, a stakeholder roster and a proposed budget for any outside consulting or engineering work the plan would require.","The Transportation Advisory Committee presented a draft \"bike‑walk‑roll\" plan and the Morris Township Committee endorsed moving to the next planning stage, requesting staff support and signaling likely use of township resources and outside grants.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Morris Township to investigate resident's flooding complaint after neighbor patio work; zoning permit questions raised

Collinsville playground project delayed after soil test finds contamination; town identifies abandoned underground tank

Morris Township adopts 2025 municipal budget; committee approves multiple ordinances and motions in consent votes

Morris Township committee endorses plan to develop "bike‑walk‑roll" network; TAC seeks staff support and funding