Morris Township swears in Samantha Rothman and firefighter Aiden Fernandez; honors departing official Mark Jorphy

Morris Township convened its regular committee meeting March 18, where the governing body swore in Samantha Rothman as a township committee member and administered the oath to probationary firefighter Aiden Fernandez.

The committee presented a ceremonial resolution recognizing Mark Jorphy’s eight years of service as a committee member and two terms as mayor. The resolution credited Jorphy with securing federal funding for the Collinsville playground, leading efforts to acquire the Jean Street property for a community center and establishing the Hometown Heroes veterans initiative. Mayor Donna J. Griglia read the resolution and presented Jorphy with a ceremonial key.

In remarks to residents, Jorphy reflected on his time in local government and thanked family, volunteers and municipal staff. He also raised health concerns for firefighters, saying, “firefighters have higher rates of cancer diagnosis and mortality than the general US population, significantly,” and urged continued investment in safer turnout gear.

New committee member Samantha Rothman introduced herself to the public, noting her background in botany and forest science and work on land‑use and environmental issues. The oath for Rothman was administered by attorney Jared Kanter; the meeting recorded her seated on the dais before other business continued.

The committee also swore in firefighter Aiden Fernandez in a short ceremony led by Chief Nunn and Attorney Kanter; officials praised Fernandez’s mechanical and EMT training and welcomed him as a probationary member of the Morris Township Fire Department.

The meeting moved on after the presentations to a packed public-comment schedule and the evening’s agenda of ordinances, the municipal budget introduction and resolutions.