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At a time when West Nile virus is still a potential killer, health officials are worried that a reorganization plan by the Morris County Freeholders will cut mosquito control efforts.

The freeholders plan to eliminate the all-volunteer, Morris County Mosquito Extermination Commission and fold the paid staff into the county public works department.

The proposed reorganization is expected to go into effect after the freeholders January reorganization.

The plan comes not long after a 92-year-old county resident died earlier in the month after contracting West Nile disease.

Infected mosquitoes were first discovered on Aug. 1 at Donatoni Community Park on West Main Street in Rockaway. A week later, the park and surrounding woods, path and access road were treated by the mosquito commission.

As of earlier this month, mosquitoes carrying West Nile have been found in 22 pools, or collections of about 50 tested mosquitoes, in Morris County out of more than 250 tests performed this year.

Morris County Freeholder David Scapicchio, former mayor of Mount Olive, said the reorganization wont affect mosquito control programs but it will save money.

Nothing is changing other than were folding the office responsibilities into public works, Scapicchio said.

Scapicchio said that as part of the savings, the county will have to complete just one audit for both the mosquito control commission and the public works department.

Other potential savings are expected through centralized purchasing, vehicle inspection and licensing.

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