[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,86,98],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6060826,"mediaKeyId","3288041-f7d3ee73884a2f9050cb672e8c9c5848","parentId",3288041,"title","Residents urge federal action on direct-care wages during Disability Awareness Month; councilors agree to advocate on Medicaid cuts","audioSeconds",1683,"startMs",320000,"endMs",2003000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288041-f7d3ee73884a2f9050cb672e8c9c5848&start=320&end=2003","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288041-f7d3ee73884a2f9050cb672e8c9c5848/thumbnail_320000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6060826/Morristown/Morris-County/New-Jersey/Residents-urge-federal-action-on-direct-care-wages-during-Disability-Awareness-Month-councilors-agree-to-advocate-on-Medicaid-cuts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060826-010e10b7a710f0539a0b0489e7782d25/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159980&Signature=oadKUOfYYYlf-xFJ1oWKNwjsq9FBxL0rOLvlVkxMYtJb8cIhdn5Qvu53-zRA4E4QCmkFNGjms7NhO3AYorYQI5zNdu6x-9O0BmJ4RDgXnK6Pb8A8a15Zkuy9QUzGHDgwJfuoyHxm9hivrx354ifEOHAFNLZgpfQEYAR01noFxBHPFj00-opewTP00kl6UjiTvMbFk4V8oER10gfZxyp~uJJM5vbZtFPitE-pp9JnRdg~aX6uzrUWDjzme9OeIdeQaM0M7zUaN5SLMA6HulmY3UbN0UbzF99W1cPdRu9q5gDzcGTowpXDVg~YNmmg4T67AKcyTpEirPwGYpHvS7l-lQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Morristown, NJ","date","2025-03-26T12:39:53Z","article","MORRISTOWN, N.J. — On March 25, a resident speaking during public comment asked Morristown officials to press congressional representatives for higher wages for direct-care staff who work with people with disabilities, saying staffing shortages are harming recipients.

Bill Burn (recorded as Bill Burn) told the council he brought a sign reading “disability rights matter” and urged officials to “please call your congress people about our direct care staff wages increase because it's, pretty bad,” noting staffing shortages and disruptions in group homes.

Council members responded to the request and to related remarks about federal funding. One council member noted the potential effect of reductions in federal Medicaid matching funds, saying that when cuts occur “they're gonna be a lot of people suffering.” Another council member said that federal matching funds cover roughly 70 percent of certain services, heightening the local consequences of federal policy changes.

The council expressed support for speaking up on behalf of residents who rely on direct-care services but did not take any formal action at the meeting. No staff report or town policy change was proposed during the March 25 session.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 25, 2025 Town Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A Morristown resident urged the Town Council on March 25 to press lawmakers to increase wages for direct-care staff who serve people with disabilities; council members said they would advocate about Medicaid funding but made no formal commitment at the meeting.","taxTitle","Morristown, Morris County, New Jersey","taxId",63616,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6060831,"Council introduces two Franklin Street right-of-way easement ordinances; hearings set for April 8",0,2599000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288041-f7d3ee73884a2f9050cb672e8c9c5848&start=2599&end=2599","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288041-f7d3ee73884a2f9050cb672e8c9c5848/thumbnail_2599000.jpg","/articles/6060831/Morristown/Morris-County/New-Jersey/Council-introduces-two-Franklin-Street-right-of-way-easement-ordinances-hearings-set-for-April-8","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060831-239d592a245aff337d13719ef3902df4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159980&Signature=H9-LYUII2kyYm8xc9LpHkijPEyQiSSLYIWvedv13ui3OOIiGdCyKRiqPFfPnNnk4Sb6mwMvMp9DKzEHQtNexM83Pko4Bj4HeZIhoYly1IlEMskNdTGrxgKd0MrrDTIf--F8MJh8MOLp75NGXwsFQBsrQpdlGHFE~V-2ZUJFlHBDAyasXgYHWDtUxZs~pE5j4OIhYdRtuEvYsr6CoLKP4zPvgdumO~15anEMRo1S8rJFyt5KJ5lLpH1JMScmMX7nsUZv6vAhbwoXtB2zZCkutcFfKFxTN-kLAmBcZZKI8WzK1AaZNTFrO-lfHdbtaONTj8D3vbMoZDWSMOt4Ir5bAHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MORRISTOWN, N.J. — At its March 25 meeting the Morristown Town Council introduced two ordinances to accept right-of-way easements along Franklin Street on Block 4401. The ordinances were introduced by title and will be considered at a public hearing on April 8.

Ordinance O-10-2025 authorizes acceptance of a right-of-way easement on Franklin Street across a portion of Lot 3 (Block 4401). Ordinance O-11-2025 authorizes acceptance of a right-of-way easement on Franklin Street across portions of Lots 4 and 5 (Block 4401). Both were introduced by motion, seconded and adopted for introduction by roll-call vote; council members present recorded “yes” votes for both introductions.

Vote record (introduction): For O-10-2025 — Councilwoman Foster: yes; Councilman Ayanna Khan: yes; Councilwoman Lindsey: yes; Councilman Polipchuk: yes; Councilman Russo: yes; Councilman Silva: yes; Council president Umbriak: yes. For O-11-2025 — same recorded roll-call votes. Both ordinances will return for public hearing and possible adoption on April 8.

No public testimony or additional details about the easement locations or intended projects were discussed at the March 25 meeting; the council did not adopt either ordinance at the meeting.","The Morristown Town Council introduced two ordinances authorizing acceptance of right-of-way easements on Franklin Street (Block 4401, portions of Lots 3, 4 and 5). Both ordinances were introduced by title and will be the subject of a public hearing on April 8.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6060836,"Council approves Verizon Corporate Classic 5K facility use; organizers asked to confirm course map and to limit litter",198,177000,375000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288041-f7d3ee73884a2f9050cb672e8c9c5848&start=177&end=375","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288041-f7d3ee73884a2f9050cb672e8c9c5848/thumbnail_177000.jpg","/articles/6060836/Morristown/Morris-County/New-Jersey/Council-approves-Verizon-Corporate-Classic-5K-facility-use-organizers-asked-to-confirm-course-map-and-to-limit-litter","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060836-4a76ea8914282ddc49555eaacec7daab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159980&Signature=fV3hKp2e-9G7nKaKlucqeXO2zMRpff2Gx9V832mSJ-IPEc1QmqnA116g7WZT0SnS69JnPU38LMjyslVT0y8wz3hN4nZ72cYmAII3yzFsgAV74r-75PAUM5F2KcC6YqN41QSXhLxaeEndatlEeKImIeVfzFEy6SgXFH9DMgVOcB9w82-bgmJWGDfPf2Eag8L2lDm0BvPUGB~YJgkRSRcZWArSrkTn2vcgS6YO95I5Ik7Js8VHEIu7t3HLh4mms4~HY8BaCZghahoWRZoaQNZqFFyvXj79fR1SFgoTyamVFM1VGldBqIIY7YK4lmwK4fKK2-H1mMWq3aFr6Dn6AbU3OQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MORRISTOWN, N.J. — The Morristown Town Council on March 25 approved a facility use request for the Verizon Corporate Classic 5K, scheduled for July 17, 2025, and asked town staff to ensure the event organizer provides a course map and follows neighborhood-notification expectations.

The consent agenda item was identified as consent agenda item number 2 and described in the meeting packet as the “facilities use request application for the Verizon corporate classic 5 k on 07/17/2025 from 07:30PM to 09:15PM.” Council members voted to adopt the consent agenda item after Councilman Polipchuk asked that the entire ward be notified and raised resident complaints about litter and traffic.

Polipchuk told the council that organizers did not provide a traditional race-course map or site plan with the packet and that, in prior years, he received “numerous complaints from residents regarding litter along the course from the disposable cups.” He added, “this is a race that pulls 2 to 3,000 people every year,” noting the event’s large scale and localized impact.

Administration responded that it would ask the police to verify that notifications go out as requested and that staff would follow up directly with the organizer to confirm expectations about course layout and on-course operations. The council adopted the item by roll-call vote; the clerk recorded all members present voting yes.

Vote record (consent agenda item 2): Councilwoman Foster — yes; Councilman Ayanna Khan — yes; Councilwoman Lindsey — yes; Councilman Polipchuk — yes; Councilman Russo — yes; Councilman Silva — yes; Council president Umbriak — yes. The motion carried.

Next steps: Recreation/administration staff will confirm the race route and logistical details with the organizer and work with police on neighborhood notification and on measures to reduce litter and traffic impacts along the course.","The Morristown Town Council approved a facility use application for the Verizon Corporate Classic 5K scheduled for July 17, 2025, after council members raised concerns about missing course plans and recurring litter along the race route. Police and administration will verify neighborhood notification and follow up with the organizer.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6060841,"Morristown plans relocation of Lidgerwood Park pickleball courts after neighborhood noise complaints; town says play will continue",1372,475000,1847000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3288041-f7d3ee73884a2f9050cb672e8c9c5848&start=475&end=1847","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3288041-f7d3ee73884a2f9050cb672e8c9c5848/thumbnail_475000.jpg","/articles/6060841/Morristown/Morris-County/New-Jersey/Morristown-plans-relocation-of-Lidgerwood-Park-pickleball-courts-after-neighborhood-noise-complaints-town-says-play-will-continue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6060841-cf870f88176d3b444b3c8bee86370497/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159980&Signature=QkCDRsy8K2X65ec5TVu5r23ieM5H-122b1TFzSy9cXHE4ZKRIZKs-71GT7uG3oHQpWxROVMPCg0syEpg14aOEl1MmuxmIhnzx2h3V9ZGv6p64F37Kshy2Msor4GiGnw8SSihZ2WiNK45I3AoqWhNIw4s3-fNaREwEO5KHZScb~Yuc3BbH2tmwVfJeWPe98FdU4ndySvlSTqI3qqi9g~FtHtUOdz~QZPpkhA3Mx1Cv1-m~PdXDjf~Ufez59WGH86rUNmRQu9OsvZ6Ty~isvhH0vASW~TDiNNoFQOD~WwtlpjoMIzPvAcmPOGohXccN5ohi7XIYC2srpOirUL3c66J4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","MORRISTOWN, N.J. — Morristown officials told the Town Council on March 25 that they will move three newly built pickleball courts at Lidgerwood Park to a different location after residents raised persistent noise concerns, and that the existing courts will remain open until replacements are ready.

The issue drew nearly an hour of public comment during the council’s public-comment period, with neighbors saying sound from frequent play carries into adjacent streets and yards and players and seniors asking the town to preserve local access to courts and lessons.

Residents said the noise is audible at substantial distances and that the courts’ proximity to homes makes the problem acute. “The back fence is about 10 feet from my property line,” said Amanda Goodwin, a Windmill Pond resident, and she urged the council to consider relocation because “the noise … can be heard at very far distances.” Keith Servelle, who lives near Lidgerwood, said he was “very pleased to hear that there are plans to move the courts someplace else, someplace more suitable.”

Players and supporters countered that pickleball is a popular, intergenerational activity and cautioned against disrupting programs. “Pickleball is hugely popular amongst all age groups,” said John Williams, who asked that a majority of courts remain available “until new courts are ready, so there will be no disruption.” Ed Peters noted the town’s investment in the courts, saying “the town has spent a hundred thousand dollars or more on these courts.”

Council members and staff described efforts already under way to balance neighborhood concerns and player access. Councilman Russo said, “the idea is to get these courts still in town, somewhere else … and there won't be any kind of lapse in play.” Recreation staff member Jillian told the council, “Not sure where the misinformation came from, but we have no intention of closing the existing courts until we find a location to reopen them.” The administration also said it has coordinated with the police department to enforce hours and locking of the courts when necessary.

Speakers pressed for more detail on timing and site selection. Council members said the town will engage the public before finalizing a new location. “When we're ready to discuss it in detail, there will absolutely be a public discussion,” a member of the administration said.

Background: Residents described prior tennis courts and two earlier, striped pickleball courts that were used before the current three courts were installed; residents and players disagreed over how heavily the new courts are used and over the scale of noise impact. Amanda Goodwin cited litigation and noise disputes elsewhere in the U.S. as context for the complaints and said studies show audible impacts at distances of 50 to 100 feet; other speakers said noise is part of park life and urged compromise.

Next steps: The administration said it will continue to refine interim operating hours, coordinate enforcement with police, pursue a new permanent site within town limits, and present plans publicly before removing the Lidgerwood courts. Council members emphasized they expect further public engagement before any final relocation.

","After multiple residents complained about noise from pickleball courts at Lidgerwood Park, the Morristown administration told council it will relocate the courts to a new site but will not close the existing courts until replacements are open. Residents and players urged the council to avoid a lapse in play.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge federal action on direct-care wages during Disability Awareness Month; councilors agree to advocate on Medicaid cuts

Council introduces two Franklin Street right-of-way easement ordinances; hearings set for April 8

Council approves Verizon Corporate Classic 5K facility use; organizers asked to confirm course map and to limit litter

Morristown plans relocation of Lidgerwood Park pickleball courts after neighborhood noise complaints; town says play will continue