2-10-2022 12:38pm

What You Need To Know Today In Morristown, NJ

Chris Connors Editor

Morristown, NJ happenings for 2/11/2022 -

Friendly Son’s Bring St. Patrick’s Day Parade Back On Saturday, March 12. And You’ll be drinking on the street this year.

Morristown Town Council discussed permits for the St. Patrick’s Day parade to be held Saturday, March 12, 2022.

The council approved extended licensed premises permit for 1776 by David Burke to extend its hours from 9 am to 6 pm on the day of the parade. This means alcoholic beverages from 1776 will be allowed outdoors during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Meanwhile, the council unanimously rejected a similar permit to extend Homestead’s licensed premises from 10 am to 11 pm after hearing opinions from the public. The proposed extension was rejected by the council who said that large gatherings of people past 10 pm would violate the town’s noise ordinance.

The DEA is battling drug violence and overdoses in Newark and Camden

Newark and Camden are two of 34 locations across the United States where the DEA in partnership with federal, state, and local law enforcement plan to carry out a new initiative coined “Operation Overdrive.” The goal of this initiative is to reduce the rising rates of drug-related violence and overdose deaths.

Newark saw a 4% increase in violent crime from 2020 to 2021, and Essex County accounted for the most drug-related deaths in New Jersey in 2021.

“Operation Overdrive” targets drug networks across 23 states. These 23 states have been identified by the DEA as hot spots for drug-related violence and overdose deaths using Center for Disease Control and Prevention data.

“The gravity of these threats requires a data-driven approach to pinpoint the most dangerous networks threatening our communities, and leveraging our strongest levers across federal, state, and local partners to bring them down,” said DEA Administrator Anne Milgram.

Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program Aims to Help Homeowners Struggling with Finances during COVID-19

The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) recently opened applications, Feb 8, for the Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program (ERMA). The program provides up to $35,000 to cover mortgage payments, late property taxes, and other housing costs residents may be struggling to afford due to the impact of COVID-19.

Fill out an ERMA application here.

ERMA will also provide free housing counseling services for New Jersey homeowners applying to the program.

“The ERMA program is designed to support as many vulnerable homeowners as possible...

We know that NJHMFA and our housing counselor partners are poised to make a real difference in the lives of thousands of New Jersey families through this important work.” said NJHMFA Executive Director Melanie R. Walter.

To qualify for the ERMA program, homeowners must meet the following requirements:

NJ homeowner with COVID-19-related financial hardship occurring after January 20, 2020
Own and occupy an eligible primary residence
Income below 150% the Area Median Income (AMI)

NJHMFA says it will work with homeowners who are disabled or need additional help filing an application. Those who need additional assistance and/or accommodations should contact NJHMFA at (855) 647-7700.

Feb. 2 Zoning Board Meeting set plans to renovate and expand the Morristown Field Club

The Morristown Field Club, at 168 James Street, plans to add two platform tennis courts and four "multi-purpose courts," as well as expand the clubhouse and tennis hut with one and two-story additions, respectively.

“There’s more interest in the courts than we have, so we’re trying to improve things. We want to keep the same bucolic feeling, and it’s time to reinvest,” said Peter Rooney, Board Vice President of the Morristown Field Club.

Morristown Field Club is also seeking water and sewage connection upgrades, building and site permits, soil erosion and sediment control plan approval.

Conversation over approval lasted well into the night for the Zoning Board, and talks will continue throughout the next few weeks until approval.

Cupid’s Chase 5K, Feb. 13 at 10 am

The annual Valentine's Day 5k, the Cupid’s Chase 5k, will take place Saturday, February 13 at 10 am at 150 -152 Speedwell Avenue.

All proceeds go to Community Options, a national nonprofit that provides housing and employment support to people with disabilities.

Morristown’s event will use the funds raised to support "housing and employment for people with disabilities" in New Jersey.

To register for the event, click here.

28 Scholarships Open to Morristown High School Seniors

Morristown Educational Foundation (MEF) is accepting online applications through April 1st for 27 scholarships available to Morristown High School seniors who plan to attend colleges across the country.

MEF is offering over $370,000 in scholarships, funded by alumni and individual donors and foundations.

Scholarships will be awarded at the end of the school year in June.

2022 scholarships include:

Judy and Eliot Steinberg Scholarship - Up to $25,000 annually for 4 years

Clifford Starrett Scholarship – $80,000 ($20,000 annually renewable for 4 years)

Banky Family Scholarship - $20,000 ($5,000 annually renewable for 4 years)

Wong Family Scholarship - $20,000 ($5,000 annually for 4 years)

George and Michele Becker Scholarship - $12,000 ($3,000 annually for 4 years)

For a complete list of all scholarships and requirements go to MorrisEducationFoundation.org. The application deadline is April 1, 2022.

Gov. Murphy Announces $5 million NJDOT Local Transportation Grant

$5 million in grants to fund the Trenton Mobility & Opportunity: Vehicles Equity System (MOVES) Project.

The grant supports the start-up and deployment of 100 Autonomous Vehicles (Avs) that will provide “an on-demand automated transit system to serve the 90,000 residents of Trenton.”

Gov Murphy says the grant combats the “longstanding transit deficit in the City of Trenton.”

The goal is to provide a low-cost solution to Trenton’s “well-known transportation challenges.”

The announcement by Governor Murphy cited that 70% of households in Trenton have one or no car at all.

“This project will allow residents to utilize a new form of low cost, environmentally friendly, and efficient transportation. The Trenton MOVES project is being developed by the Governor’s Office, NJ Department of Transportation, the City of Trenton, and Princeton University.”

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