Safe Sidewalk Not a Hard Sell in Morristown

Having already taken his case to the Morris Township Committee, Dan Brownstein took the long walk up James Street to meet with Morristown Mayor and Council on Sept. 10 to literally and figuratively close a gap between the communities.

Specifically, Brownstein was there to discuss a James Street sidewalk extension from Morris Township. Brownstein, a Trent Court resident in Morris Township, is two blocks from James Street, which runs into Morristown’s downtown, but the lack of sidewalks makes taking that walk perilous.

“People need a sidewalk. It is a safety concern,” Brownstein said. “I think Morris Township will feel more connected to Morristown.”

According to Brownstein, there is benefit to both towns and that after attending their Aug. 21 meeting “the township seems to be on board with their part of it.”

“I think it will be economic advantageous as more people will be going into town,” Brownstein said. “Environmentally I think people can leave the car at home.”

Morristown Councilman Stefan Armington and fellow councilmember Alison Deeb had set a meeting with Township Committeeman Jeff Grayzel to discuss the issue.

“You’re preaching to the choir because in 2008-2009 I proposed this but the benefit from Morristown was not as great as the benefit to Morris Township,” Deeb said. “I’d love to see that route more defined.”

On the table was exploring getting the job done through a grant under the state’s Safe Routes to School program, as the proposed sidewalk would create a walkway to the Thomas Jefferson School and extend as far as Springbrook Road.

But Morristown business administrator Michael Rogers said that after the Township applied for the grant, the governing body in Morristown would put together a resolution in support of it. That plan met with the approval of Marcy Needle, who was there speaking not only for herself but for Bike and Walk Morristown.

“Bike and Walk Morristown would be happy to assist in the grant applications,” Needle said.

According to Needle, the health benefits to the community would be worth the expense to get the project done. Brownstein’s neighbor Adam Smith said when he moved into Morris Township 12 years ago getting the sidewalk done was the first thing on his list.

“The fact that you are having a meeting with Morris Township is father along then we have ever got in the past,” Smith said.

The Morris Township Committee meets on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.