Federal Shutdown May Mean Furloughs at Picatinny Arsenal, National Parks

With the dawning of October, a new fiscal year and the reality of the threatened government shutdown, more than 4,800 federal workers at Picatinny Arsenal in Rockaway Township may have a short work day, the Daily Record reports.

Arsenal spokesperson Timothy Rider told the Pocono Record that the arsenal's departments will determine Tuesday which employees are essential; all those labeled "non-essential" will be furloughed. He said the arsenal would still support specific military operations and offer police, fire and medical protection.

A government shutdown also would mean the closing of Morris County's Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and Morristown National Historic Park, the Record said. In both instances, essential staff would remain on-duty for maintenance, but the parks would be closed to the public until after the government shutdown ends.