Morristown Makes Moves Toward In-House Public Health Services

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Morristown will move toward in-house public health services, instead of continuing its shared services with Morris County. The town plans to hire its own public health officer and educator, after relying on the county's via a shared-services contract.

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Morris County officials and members of Morristown's administration said the decision was mutual. The change is designed to better help the town meet its public health needs.

"I think that our town would be much better-served by having our own full-time staff," said Town Administrator Jillian Barrick, "particularly a public-health officer who can focus on our local residents and provide not only direct public-health services but can help us think strategically about making sure our community is getting the kinds of services that we need."

Under the current, five-year shared-services agreement, Morristown pays the county about $165,000 a year, Barrick says. The arrangement provided a part-time public health officer, a part-time public health educator and assistance with certain functions such as health inspections.

Morristown has opened positions for its own full-time public health officer and part-time educator. The officer's salary range is listed at $89,000 to $120,000. The job listing for the educator doesn't show a salary range, but an ordinance that would add one to the county staff lists a range of $40,000 to $65,000 per year.

"The county health office notified Morristown in June that it would not renew the five-year contract that is about to expire at the end of the year," said Brian Murray, a Morris County spokesperson. "It was a mutual decision, with Morristown moving towards an in-house health office to address the services it requires."

Morristown's contract with the county expires at the end of the calendar year. The county will continue to provide shared health services to all other towns.

A few other towns, such as Madison, have expressed interest in considering shared services with Morristown when a health officer is hired, according to Council President Stefan Armington. But Barrick said at Nov. 9's Town Council meeting that Morristown would likely need to hire the officer first to advance those discussions.

Barrick said there's been disinvestment in public health at all levels of government for many years, which the pandemic exposed.

"I think the county’s been overwhelmed with limited resources," Barrick said. "Morristown is very busy. COVID just sort of added another layer of complexity."

Town Council will further consider an ordinance to add a public health officer and educator at Nov. 30's meeting.

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