Morristown Sustainability Programs Getting $155K

Citing a number of sustainability-minded initiatives, the recently awarded Morristown with a $155,000 check, to go toward, among other things, the town's master plan.

Mayor Timothy Dougherty read the letter, signed by Dodge Foundation President and CEO Christopher Daggett, at the March 22 council meeting.

In it, Daggett writes that the foundation was "particularly impressed with the Town's partnerships with Jonathan Rose Companies and Design for Social Impact to launch an unprecedented participatory civic design process that will drive the innovative master plan and groundbreaking work on healthy neighborhood indicators."

The letter goes on to cite Morristown's work with the Institute for Sustainable Enterprise at Fairleigh Dickinson University, as well as Morristown's participation in the Sustainable Jersey program, which Morristown currently is certified as "bronze" in the volunteer intitiative for towns to find ways to reduce their carbon footprints and be more environmentally conscious.

Paul Miller, the chair of Morristown Office of Sustainability, said he was happy to receive the attention and the grant. He said one of the main purposes for the $155,000 grant would be to get a sense of what the town's "carrying capacity" is, meaning, how much development can Morristown's network of streets and sidewalks handle.

In addition, Miller said the grant money would help the town work toward the next level of Sustainable Jersey's certification system.

"This is a real testament to the Dodge Foundation and their committment to Morristown and their committment to sustainability," Miller said.