County Government Brochure 2012

2012 PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE THE MORRIS COUNTY BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS The freeholders meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted below. Most meetings are conducted in the Public Meeting Room, 5th floor, Administration & Records Building, Court Street, Morristown, N.J. Public meetings may also be held in one of the county’s 39 municipalities. Workshop meetings are held in Morristown at 9:30 a.m. on the same day as the public meetings. Jan. 11 Jan. 25 Feb. 8 Feb. 22 March 14 March 28 April 11 April 25 May 9 May 23 June 13 June 27

July 11 July 25 Aug. 8 Aug. 22 Sept. 12 Sept. 24 (Monday) Oct. 10 Oct. 24 Nov. 7 Nov. 28 Dec. 12 Dec. 27 (Thursday)

Please call 973-285-6015 to confirm date and location.

THE 2012 MORRIS COUNTY BOARD OF CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS 973-285-6010

MORRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT 2012

2012 Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders

William J. Chegwidden Director

Douglas R. Cabana Deputy Director

John Cesaro Ann F. Grossi Hank Lyon Thomas J. Mastrangelo John J. Murphy Prepared by the Morris County Public Information Office

COUNTY OF MORRIS ADMINISTRATION AND RECORDS BUILDING P.O. BOX 900 MORRISTOWN, NJ 07963-0900 973-285-6000 www.MorrisCountyNJ.gov

MORRIS COUNTY HISTORY

MORRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Morris County was created by an act of the state legislature March 15, 1738, separating it from Hunterdon County. It was named after Colonel Lewis Morris, then the Governor of the Province of New Jersey, and consisted of what are now the counties of Morris, Sussex, and Warren.

In New Jersey, the county serves as the middle layer of government between the federal and state governments and the municipality. The county traces its origin to the British who settled in the "new world" bringing with them the concept of the county as a local unit of government, and the idea that only those who owned land free of any debt, "free-holders," could vote and hold public office. New Jersey is the only state where the elected officials who govern the county are called freeholders.

Known as "The Military Capital of the Revolution," Morris County is rich in historic lore and tradition. During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington and his Continental Army encamped in Morris County during the winters of 1777 and 1779-1780, while cannons, shot and powder were manufactured for the troops in furnaces and mills in the area. Benedict Arnold was court-martialed in Morris County for misconduct, and it was here that the telegraph was perfected and first publicly demonstrated. Morris County, approximately 30 miles northwest of New York City, is a rare blend of economic strength and a healthy, natural environment. In its 2010 census, the U.S. Census Bureau placed the county’s population at 492,276 people. The county’s 39 municipalities cover 481 square miles. Morristown is the county government seat.

Today, Morris County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders, whose seven members are elected at-large to serve three-year terms. The freeholders derive their broad powers to regulate county property, county finances and county affairs from the state legislature. In Morris County, the freeholder board sets policy for six county departments and their divisions, plus a number of boards, commissions, authorities and committees. The actual day-to-day operation of the county government is supervised by the county administrator, the chief administrative officer of the county.

COUNTY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS There are six departments of Morris County government. They are:

Finance Human Services Information Services Law & Public Safety Planning & Development Public Works Morris County government also includes the elected constitutional offices of the County Clerk, the Sheriff and the Surrogate. The Prosecutor is appointed by the governor. Morris County government offers a wide range of services to county residents, from education, job training, transportation and parks and recreation, to social services and nutrition programs for the elderly. For more information about Morris County government and its services, contact the Public Information Office at 973-285-6015, or visit the official Morris County government Web site at www.MorrisCountyNJ.gov.