Press Releases
Morris Prosecutor: National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Observed on April 8
Monday, April 1st, 2019
On April 8, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office will hold a recognition and remembrance ceremony in observance of the 2019 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which is observed from April 7-13.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week has been celebrated every April since 1981. It is a time of national remembrance and is dedicated to advancing the policies and programs instituted to help victims of crime.
The Keynote Speaker for the program is NBC New York award-winning journalist and New Jersey correspondent, Brian Thompson. Following Brian’s presentation, the Morris County Board of Freeholders will present a proclamation to Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp on behalf of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in honor and recognition of 2019 Crime Victim’s Rights Week.
Reverend Doctor David Smazik of the Presbyterian Church in Morristown also will provide opening and closing prayers.
The ceremony, which is open to the public, will be held in the Freeholder Public Meeting Room on the 5th Floor of the Administration & Records Building, 10 Court Street, in Morristown. It will begin at 9:30am.
County residents are invited to attend. Please RSVP to [email protected] or 973-285-6210.
Inquiries should be directed to Public Information Officer Peter DiGennaro at [email protected] or 973-829-8159.
County Adjuster’s Office – Clerical Position
Friday, March 29th, 2019
Definition
This position is a clerical position within the County Adjuster’s Office that requires excellent organizational and communication skills and an understanding of the importance of confidentiality. The successful candidate should have computer skills (i.e., Word, Excel) and have the ability to learn other operating systems.
Examples of Work
- Working with the public, members of the Judiciary, and community health providers;
- Preparation of time-sensitive documents concerning the admission and/or commitment of individuals to private, county and state psychiatric hospitals;
- Scheduling of hearings;
- Assist with other duties of the County Adjuster’s Office, including the review of the ability to pay for hospitalization;
- Maintain confidential healthcare records; and
- General administrative tasks.
Civil Service
Please note that Morris County is a Civil Service jurisdiction.
In addition, please also note that on September 1, 2011, the “New Jersey First Act”, P.L. 2011, 270 (N.J.S.A. 52:14-7), became effective. Under this residency law, all employees of the State and local government must reside in the State of New Jersey from date of hire until separation. For more information on New Jersey First Act, please refer to http://www.state.nj.us/csc/about/news/safety/njfirstact.html.
Apply
Interested candidates should submit an employment application and resume.
Freeholders Add Two More 2019 “Road Meetings”
Thursday, March 28th, 2019
Final List Includes Montville and Riverdale
The Morris County Board of Freeholders has finalized its 2019 “road meetings’’ list for 2019, announcing stops in Montville and Riverdale in the fall.
The county governing board last month announced it would continue its tradition of holding county government “road meetings’’ in towns across the county in 2019, with the board to meet in seven different municipalities from April through October as part of a continuing effort to bring county government closer to constituents.
The first “road meeting’’ will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 7 p.m., in Chester Township, at the Chester Township Municipal Building at 1 Parker Road.
Subsequent road meetings will be held from May through October: Monday, May 6, Florham Park; Wednesday, June 12, Mendham Township; Wednesday, July 10, Wharton; Wednesday, Aug. 14, Washington Township; Wednesday, Sept. 11, Montville; and Monday, Oct. 7, Riverdale.
“The Board of Freeholders supports taking county government on the road to towns like Montville and Riverdale so we can meet county residents in the places where they live, work, and go to school. It makes it convenient for those residents and officials to access county government without traveling to the County Seat in Morristown,’’ said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana.
The Freeholder Board met in Mt. Arlington in 2017.
The freeholders last year met in Butler, Jefferson, Madison, Mine Hill, Mount Olive, Mountain Lakes and Roxbury.
The board of freeholders meet twice monthly, usually on the evening of the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, at the County Administration and Records Building in Morristown.
The public can comment at those meetings. The board also holds public work sessions on the mornings or afternoons of the second and fourth Wednesday.
For a schedule of meeting dates, locations and times, and to view Freeholder Board meeting agendas, visit: https://morriscountynj.gov/freeholders/publicmeetings-about/
For more information on county government, visit: www.morriscountynj.gov
For more information on Montville and Riverdale, which have ben added to the “road meeting’’ list, visit http://www.montvillenj.org/ and https://www.riverdalenj.gov/
Morristown National Historical Park: Grand Encampment at Jockey Hollow
Tuesday, March 26th, 2019
Free Event April 6 and 7
Jockey Hollow will come to life on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7 as re-enactors from across the Northeast arrive for the park’s Grand Encampment.
The special event focuses on the life and times of soldiers and civilians during the Revolutionary War. It’s an event full of activities for the whole family.
Highlights for the weekend include demonstrations in the camp of cooking, sewing, and other camp chores, military maneuvers, and musket firing, and a special “children’s muster,” where children can learn to drill and march like Revolutionary soldiers.
The event opens at 10 am each morning and concludes at 4 pm each afternoon.
The schedule is as follows:
Saturday, April 6
- 10:30 am Inspection of the Troops
- 11 am Firing Demonstration and Drill
- 1 pm Firing Demonstration and Drill
- 1:30 pm Children’s Drill
- 3 pm Firing Demonstration and Drill
- 3:30 pm Children’s Drill
- 4 pm Camp Competition– Musket Speed Loading and Cannonball Toss
Sunday, April 7
- 10:30 am Children’s Drill
- 12:30 pm Inspection of the Troops
- 1 pm Firing Demonstration and Drill
- 1:30 pm Children’s Drill
- 2 pm Camp Competition – Trap Ball and Three Men’s Morris
- 3 pm Firing Demonstration and Drill
- 4 pm Regimental Assembly Retreat for the Evening
Note: At 2 pm, Sunday, April 7, the park will host folk singer/songwriter Gordon Thomas Ward. This special concert of New Jersey and history related songs will take place in Morristown NHP’s Washington’s Headquarters Museum, 30 Washington Place, Morristown, New Jersey. Admission is free.
All activities are free and take place at Jockey Hollow. The GPS Address is 580-600 Tempe Wick Road Morristown, NJ 07960. For more information call 973-539-2016 x-210 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.
Morris Prosecutor and Sheriff Aid State Task Force in Takedown of Major Fentanyl and Heroin Mill
Friday, March 22nd, 2019
Fentanyl and Heroin Distributed by this Mill Linked to 227 Overdoses, Including 84 Deaths.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and Sheriff’s Office participated in the recent breakup of a major opioids ring based in Harrison, Essex County, and which was a major supplier of illegal substances across New Jersey, including Morris County.
On Thursday (March 21) New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced the arrests of Timothy Guest, 45, of Irvington; William Woodley, 27, of Belleville; and Selionel Orama, 25, of Cedar Grove in connection with the seizure of a large-scale fentanyl and heroin mill located in Harrison.
This ongoing investigation resulted in the seizure of approximately 32,500 doses and four kilos of fentanyl and heroin. Fentanyl and heroin previously distributed by the mill have been linked to 227 overdoses, including 84 deaths.
The investigation was headed up by the New Jersey State Police Opioid Enforcement Task Force, with the assistance of various federal, county and local law enforcement agencies, including the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.
“We prevented countless doses of fentanyl and heroin from reaching drug users by taking down this mill,” said Attorney General Grewal.
“Shutting down this facility and seizing this significant amount of drugs is another step in combating the Fentanyl and Heroin epidemic affecting our communities,’’ said Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp. “We are honored to be part of the New Jersey State Police Opioid Enforcement Task Force and will continue working with our law enforcement partners to successfully investigate and prosecute for-profit drug dealers preying on our residents.”
Knapp was joined at the press conference by Prosecutor’s Chief of Investigations Stephen F. Wilson, Jr., and Prosecutor’s Captain Chris Kimker.
Guest, Woodley, and Orama are charged with the following offenses:
- Maintaining a Narcotics Production Facility (1st Degree)
- Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute (1st Degree)
- Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute (2nd Degree)
- Possession of Fentanyl (3rd Degree)
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (4th Degree)
Guest also is charged with third-degree Eluding Police. Guest is being held in jail pending a detention hearing. Woodley and Orama were released subject to conditions following detention hearings.
Deputy Attorneys General from the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice are responsible for the prosecution of this case.
Inquiries concerning this press release should be emailed to [email protected].
Assistant Engineer (Civil)
Wednesday, March 20th, 2019
The Morris County Department of Public Works, Engineering & Transportation Division is seeking an Assistant Engineer to be part of the engineering staff group. This position will assist existing engineering staff to provide overall project management. Projects range from county facility upgrades, roadway projects, and intersection improvements. Project oversight to include inspection; report writing; development of engineering designs; preparation of technical specifications and performance of public outreach.
We are looking for a responsible candidate that is interested in working under direction/supervision to perform civil engineering design, CAD drafting, basic knowledge of facilities structures, construction inspection and related work on a full-time basis.
Essential Duties:
- Oversees facility design and construction services for County environmental cleanup & building projects. Provide review recommendations on facility projects.
- Review plans for building improvement projects including electrical, plumbing, fire protection, mechanical, structural, and architectural.
- Oversees development of project master plans and implementation of those plans through reviews, cost estimates and construction. Plans, designs and writes specifications for construction projects. Prepares bid documents and works with other County departments to procure professional services and construction contracts. Reviews bids and recommends contract award for construction projects.
- Ensures that professional consultants and Clerk of the Works provide appropriate services related to program and scope requirements of design projects. Ensures that vendors and contractors comply with plans and specifications of the construction contract. Supervises the inspection of construction in progress and of existing systems in cooperation with relevant contractual and governmental agencies.
- Establishes project priorities and sets schedules for timely completion of construction projects.
- Utilizes a computer in administering construction contracts; prepares monthly progress payments and contract change orders. Interprets project requirements based upon contract plans and specifications, coordinates final inspection and job closeout;
- Assists in the preparation of plans and Bid documents;
- In conjunction with other County staff, develops and explores new concepts and ideas related to construction management.
- Demonstrates responsibility and sound work ethic.
- Assists in the preparation of designs, CAD drafting, specifications, plans, estimates and reports for projects;
- Ability to read and interpret rules and regulations and applies them to specific situations.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering or mechanical engineering and/or graduate studies in civil engineering or mechanical engineering;
- Preferable two (2) to five (5) years of related experience, EIT or PE license a plus.
Licensing Requirements:
- Valid New Jersey Driver’s License
Ideal Candidate:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Autodesk products;
- Knowledge of principles of civil and mechanical engineering, design and construction practices;
- Knowledge of basic methods and standards for building construction.
- Experience in roadway, drainage, traffic, and development design.
- Knowledge of NJDOT, NJDEP and Morris County Standards and Specifications;
- Communication and interpersonal skills to successfully interact with co-workers, supervisors, the general public and others;
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
- Ability to work harmoniously with other public officials, private contractors, architects, and property owners.
- Knowledge of basic fire protection and code requirements.
Salary: $47,070 – $58,838 Annually
Please fill out our online employment form to apply.
Route 46 Rail Crossing Improvement in Kenvil Set for Weekend of April 5-7
Tuesday, March 19th, 2019
Traffic Will Be Detoured
An improvement project to the county’s Route 46 rail crossing in the Kenvil section of Roxbury Township, between Kenvil Avenue and Hillside Avenue (near Blue Ridge Lumber), is scheduled for the weekend of April 5-7.
Construction should start on Friday, April 5, at 6 p.m. and continue through Sunday, April 7, at 6 a.m. During construction, traffic will be detoured. Additional signal work is scheduled on Monday, April 8, with minimal traffic disruption anticipated that day.
A detour will be in place on Route 46 during the weekend construction. It will take traffic from Howard Boulevard to Route 10 to Canfield Avenue and back to Route. 46.
The rail crossing, which is used by the Dover and Rockaway River Railroad, has deteriorated and has uneven pavement. The work will consist of installing OMNI TraCast concrete panels at the site and repaving the approach roadway to the rail crossing.
The contractor is Tracks Unlimited LLC of Mountainside. The $144,460 contract will be jointly financed by the state Department of Transportation and Morris County.
For more information on the Dover and Rockaway River Railroad, visit http://www.chesapeakeanddelaware.com/Railroads_DRRV.html
Seasonal Assistant, Mosquito Control Division
Thursday, March 14th, 2019
The Morris County Division of Mosquito Control is now accepting applications for the position of Seasonal Assistant.
The position entails assisting in our daily operations – setting and maintaining mosquito traps, identifying and sorting mosquitoes in the lab, inspecting larval mosquito habitats and assisting with other mosquito control activities. On the job training is provided. Candidates with a background or interest in biological or environmental sciences are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must have a valid driver’s license.
This is a 40 hour per week position and runs from May through September. Salary is set at $10/hour.
Please fill out our online employment form to apply.
Morris County Freeholders Announce Two More 2019 “Road Meetings”
Thursday, March 14th, 2019
The Morris County Board of Freeholders has added two more towns to its destinations for “road meetings’’ in 2019, announcing stops in Florham Park and Wharton.
The county governing board last month announced it would continue its tradition of holding county government “road meetings’’ in towns across the county in 2019, with the board to meet in seven different municipalities from April through October as part of a continuing effort to bring county government closer to constituents.
The first “road meeting’’ will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 7 p.m., in Chester Township, at the Chester Township Municipal Building at 1 Parker Road.
Subsequent road meetings will be held from May through October. Scheduled so far are Freeholder Board meetings on May 6 in Florham Park, June 12 in Mendham Township, July 10 in Wharton, and Aug. 14 in Washington Township. Two more road meetings will be announced in the near future.
“The Board of Freeholders likes taking county government meetings on the road, to towns like Florham Park and Wharton, to meet county residents in the places where they live, work, and go to school. It makes it convenient for residents and officials to have access to county government without having to come to the County Seat in Morristown,’’ said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana.
“These meetings give our residents and local officials an opportunity to raise regional issues of concern to the board, so we can better understand and focus on their specific needs and concerns,’’ said Deputy Freeholder Director Heather Darling.
The Freeholders met in Jefferson Township on Sept. 12.
The freeholders last year met in Butler, Jefferson, Madison, Mine Hill, Mount Olive, Mountain Lakes and Roxbury.
The board of freeholders meet twice monthly, usually on the evening of the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, at the County Administration and Records Building in Morristown.
The public can comment at those meetings. The board also holds public work sessions on the mornings or afternoons of the second and fourth Wednesday.
For a schedule of meeting dates, locations and times, and to view Freeholder Board meeting agendas, visit: https://morriscountynj.gov/freeholders/publicmeetings-about/
For more information on county government, visit: www.morriscountynj.gov
For more information on Chester Township, where the first 2019 road meeting will be held, visit https://chestertownship.org/
Morris County Seeks Nominations for 2019 Terri Belske Mental Health Consumer Advocate of the Year Award
Tuesday, March 12th, 2019
Terry Belske
Terri Belske was one of the first mental health consumers in New Jersey ever to sit on high-level state and county public policy committees. The Boonton resident, who died in 2016 at age 54, was a staunch defender and supporter of people who did not have a voice to advocate for themselves in the public arena.
The annual Terri Belske Mental Health Advocate of the Year, created in 2016 in her honor, will be awarded annually at the “Morris County Public Forum: Many Faces of Recovery.”
Nominees for this prestigious award are now being sought for the 2019 award.
As a Terri Belske Mental Health Advocate, the awardee is a role model in New Jersey and represents the Morris County community in advocating for the rights of all people with mental illness.
The award recognizes a person with lived experience of mental illness that may include substance use and has:
- Demonstrated leadership as an advocate for adequate community resources to support individuals in their journey to recovery
- Shown courage in representing the interests of individuals who have experienced mental illness and addictions
- Demonstrated kindness and compassion for others in need
- Acted as the voice for those who are not in a position to speak out for themselves.
John Robbins, manager of the nonprofit Morris Community Wellness Center, was named Morris County’s Terri Belske Consumer Advocate of the Year in 2018.
To nominate someone, please submit a maximum 500-word summary about the candidate and the reasons why she or he merits the award.
Send it to Morris County Mental Health Administrator Laurie Becker at [email protected] by Friday, May 3.
The 2019 Forum planning committee will review the nominations.
The awardee will be announced at the 2019 Public Forum, Many Faces of Recovery event from 5:30 -8 p.m., June 18, at the Haggerty Center at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township. For more information, call 973-285-6852.