The acronym PILOT: Payment in Lieu of Taxes should make the taxpayer suspicious

What is the payment?

How is it calculated?

Who qualifies for such a tax break?

Does the township benefit or does the developer?

How does it affect current tax ratables?

The list of questions / suspicions are endless.

A few years back the undersigned publicly endorsed the PILOT agreement with UPS on Cherry Hill Road. About 6 months prior the undersigned became aware of the development tax break passed by state legislatures. UPS is commercial operation, brought jobs to the area, must likely increased home property values, located by highway hubs and reflecting back increased tax ratable.

The PILOT for 1515 Route 10 East (old Intel building) with proposed 441 apartments and retail space will certainly increase the student enrollment by empirical calculation by 150 students. This apartment complex has higher percentage of 2 and 3 bedroom units than other complexes. Parsippany already has approximately 7,200 apartment units.

As to tax roll increase, the township at “best” will increase by $100,000 with the Board of Education getting NOTHING.

There has been no input from Board of Education, yet using $25,000 per student expense less $9,000 for fixed and administration per year the school board will incur an additional expense of $2,400,000 per year. Who pays? You the property owner.

You are subsidizing the developer forever.

Request by OPRA to the township clerk: Long Term Tax Exemption for The District at 1515 Urban Renewal, LLC.

It’s lengthy , complicated, and confusing. It’s done that way for a reason.

Recommend listening to the November 8, 2018 Council meeting Tape available on Parsippany Focus.

Part 1, minute marker 6 to 10, Mr. Hanley,

Part 2, minute 21 to 32, Mr. & Mrs. Venezia

Mr. Hanley ,hired by the township uses Rutgers University projection as to school enrollment which does not reflect true enrollment numbers Parsippany incurs.

Mr. & Mrs. Venezia has spent untold hours on your behalf challenging this application as to its financial and community impact.

Only Councilwoman Janice McCarthy has voted NO to this application as planning board member.

She obviously understands its flaws.

This application would set a precedent, contact your mayor and council. Attend the voting meeting November 20.

Roy Messmer

Prosecutor Knapp Honors United States Military Veterans Serving at Prosecutor’s Office

MORRIS COUNTY — In honor of Veterans Day, several years ago Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp began the annual tradition of recognizing U.S. Military Veterans who serve in the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.  The program was the idea of Chief of Staff Daniel Pfeiffer, himself an Army Veteran.

Today, November 9, 2018, Prosecutor Knapp and his command staff again celebrated Veterans Day with members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office who served in the United States Armed Forces, or currently serve as a member in a branch of the United States Military Reserves, before pursuing a career with the Prosecutor’s Office.  Currently, there are (12) members who are U.S. Veterans.  The following list identifies each member, and the respective military branch in which they served:

Chief of Staff Daniel Pfeiffer U.S. Army
Captain Robert McNally U.S. Marines
Captain Harrison Dillard U.S. Army
Sergeant Michael Gomez U.S. Army
Detective Jimmy Atoche U.S. Army
Detective Joseph Ellis U.S. Army
Detective Muhammad Thomas U.S. Marines
Assistant Prosecutor Julian Hill U.S. Army
Assistant Prosecutor Robert Preziosi U.S. Army
Director Al Imperiale* U.S. Army
Agent John Jespersen U.S. Marines
Support Staff Member Anthony Del Viscovo U.S. Air Force

*Deceased

Appointed to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 2018, Support Staff Member Anthony Del Viscovo was also recognized as being the newest member to be added to the Veteran’s Honor Roll.  The following information reflects his service accomplishments.

Support Staff Member Anthony Del Viscovo
February 2010 – July 2010
Basic Training Military Training 331st Wolf Pack, Military
Police Technical School. Lackland Air Force Base, Texas

August 2010 – August 2012:
PCS Aviano Air Base Italy, 31st Security Forces Squadron. Served as: Entry Controller, Internal/External Security Response Team, Close Bound Sentry, and Patrol Officer

August 2011 – December 2011:
Deployed to Kalamata, Greece in support of Operation Unified Protector. Served as Internal Security Response Team

September 2012- May 2015:
PCS Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, 11th Security Forces Squadron. Served as: Elite Gate Guard, Internal/External Security Response Team, Patrol Officer, and Desk Sergeant

Awards Received:
-Basic Military Training: Honor Graduate
-Security Forces Technical School: Academic Achievement Award
-Aviano AB, Italy: USAF Achievement Medal and Promoted to Senior Airman Below the Zone
-Operation Unified Protector: NATO Medal and USAF Achievement Medal
-Joint Base Andrews, Maryland: USAF Achievement Medal

Prosecutor Knapp said, “The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is fortunate to have these United States Military Veterans working in our office. Their service to their county has transitioned to serving the citizens of Morris County, and I am honored to recognize them for their continued efforts in making our great country safe”.

Redhawks advanced to the Divisional Championship

PARSIPPANY — The 7th Grade B-Level PAL Redhawks have advanced to the Divisional Championship.  As the second seed, our Redhawks beat the third seeded New Providence PAL Pioneers last Sunday 6-0 on the shoulders of their formidable defense.  They will take on the #1 seeded, Somerville-Branchburg United on Sunday, November 11.

The Redhawks met up with SBU in Week 2 of the regular season and came away with a 22-6 win.
 
This is the 3rd playoff appearance for these boys in as many years. The division championship game is as far as they’ve ever gotten but they have higher expectations of themselves this year.
They have a very tough defense and their offense has shown the ability to put up points but they’re not resting on what they’ve achieved to date. They had another great practice last night with all of the boys stepping up their game.
Please make plans to come down to Somerville on Sunday. The boys will feed off your energy and in turn you’ll get to see a great game.
The game is at 12:00 Noon on Sunday, November 11 at Somerville High School, 222 Davenport Street, Somerville.

Meet Johnny! He is a six-month-old Black Lab puppy

PARSIPPANY — Meet Johnny! He is a six-month-old Black Lab puppy ready to find his forever home!

He is an easygoing dog who LOVES to cuddle anytime and anywhere. He wants everyone he meets to hold him and give him lots of pets. In return, he will cover your face in kisses to show how much he loves you! While he is still a puppy, he is not rambunctious but enjoys a good romp in the yard.

A note from Johnny’s foster mom: “Johnny is one of the sweetest foster puppies we have ever had! All he wants is for you to love him. Whenever you sit down, he is ready to curl up on your lap. He will usually rest his head on my chest or shoulder. He is super mellow for a dog his age. He will usually lay in his dog bed or on the couch when he is not playing outdoors or with his toys. He loves tennis balls or squeaky toys! He always aims to please and is a great listener.”

Johnny is working on learning his basic commands and has mastered “sit”. He is very food motivated and eager to learn. He sleeps through the night in his crate and is doing great with his potty training! He would do wonderful in a home with another dog and can also live with children 10 and up.

If you’re looking for a loving, sweet puppy, adopt Johnny!

If you are interested in adopting Johnny, please fill out an application by clicking here.

Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Instagram by clicking here.
Like Wise Animal Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.

Creatures invade Veterans Memorial Park

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills provided a safe and fun place for Parsippany children to “Trick or Treat.” The children went from trunk to trunk instead of door to door! Families, Volunteer organizations and friends decorated their vehicle and joined in the fun with the children. There were firemen, policemen, batman, witches, and princesses roaming around Veterans Park collecting bags of candy.

Council Meeting Scheduled for Thursday, November 8

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., would like to remind residents this week’s Council Meeting will be held Thursday November 8, at its regularly scheduled time of 7:30 p.m.; However, immediately thereafter the Township Council will make a motion to move into closed session. The open session will begin at 8:30 p.m.

The public is invited to attend all meetings. A portion of each meeting will be set aside for public comment. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings.

Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the American with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. Please call (973) 263-4357 to make a request for an auxiliary aid.

Jay Webber issues statement to supporters

MORRIS COUNTY — Thank you! Thank you to each and every one of you for your support throughout our campaign.

Yesterday, the Sherrill campaign received more votes than ours.  I always have admired Mikie’s prior service to our country, and now I wish her well in the next phase of her life as the Representative from this district to the House of Representatives.

Despite the outcome at the polls, Johanna and I want to stress to you the immense sense of gratitude we have for all of you, and for everyone who has put so much of themselves into this campaign.

From the beginning, our campaign has offered a positive, hopeful, and confident vision of America.  We have touted our belief in fundamental American values like rewarding hard work, and enforcing our laws.  Our mission has been infused with optimism, and we have been determined to transcend the pettiness of small politics to speak of things greater than ourselves.

We will never stop fighting for the values we believe in because we love our country too much to stop.  We love our families, our friends, and our neighbors too much.  And yes, we even love our opponents too much to stop fighting for what we believe is right for all Americans.

So let us celebrate some great accomplishments, and remember those accomplishments most.  We know, and the rest of the world knows, that we have fought the good fight.  We have finished the race.  And we have kept the faith.  And until we’re called upon to get back in the arena and do it once again, may God bless the great State of New Jersey, and may He bless the United States of America.

Mikie Sherrill Claims Decisive, Historic Win in NJ-11

PARSIPPANY — Speaking in front of a packed house of more than 2,000 supporters at the Parsippany Sheraton Hotel, Navy veteran, federal prosecutor, mother of four, and first time candidate Mikie Sherrill claimed a decisive, historic victory in the race for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District. Assemblyman Jay Webber called Congresswoman-elect Sherrill  to concede. Sherrill’s win marks the first time in more than thirty years that a Democrat will represent the 11th District in Congress, and she will now be the second woman in the New Jersey Congressional Delegation. The victory was the culmination of a bipartisan, grassroots movement built over two years in the 11th, driven by voters’ concerns over health care protections, tax changes that leave New Jersey homeowners behind, and gun laws that have left too many firearms in dangerous hands.

Speaking in front of a packed house of more than 2,000 supporters

In Morris County, Sherrill took the lead with 76,819 votes (53.86%) with Jay Webber at 64,339 votes (45.11%). Morris County has 364,147 registered voters and 190,892 voted or 52.42%

Parsippany residents Tom, Betty and Brielle Wyka with friends congratulating Sherrill’s big win

“Tonight, we celebrate a historic moment, born of our deep belief in what we have to do to make America what it can be and should be,” said Congresswoman-elect Sherrill. “I swore my first oath to support our country when I was 18 years old, and ever since that day, my confidence in our democracy has never wavered. Out of the cynicism, the distrust, and the attacks on our democratic ideals, we have found what exists inside all of us: the simple truth that we love our country, that we are no longer taking our government of the people, by the people, and for the people for granted. In fact, we are going to do everything in our power to protect it.

“Tomorrow, our work really begins: for health care that doesn’t make you choose between treatment and putting food on the table; for a tax code that makes it possible to raise a family and retire here in New Jersey; for infrastructure that ensures you can work hard and also make it home for dinner; for gun laws that make it safe to go to school, to the movies, and to a church, synagogue, or mosque. Now is the time to face these challenges and rebuild our democracy — to restore the trust in our government and our faith in our country. Now is the time for our country to come together.

“Serving this country has always been the honor of my life, and I pledge to everyone in this district, that when I stand on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, raise my right hand and once again swear that oath to my country, I will also be swearing an oath to every resident of the 11th District.”

Mike Sherrill is a Naval Academy graduate, Navy veteran and helicopter pilot, former federal prosecutor, mother of four, first-time candidate, and the Congresswoman-elect for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District.

Mikie Sherrill wins 11th Congressional District; Wins Big In Parsippany

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Focus is reporting the results as they come in to our Election Headquarters.

The unofficial results for the Midterm Election are as follows:

Parsippany Board of Education – 100% Districts Reporting

Susy Golderer For 3 Years 8,343
Frank Neglia For 3 Years 8,570
Judy Mayer For 3 Years 8,523
Andrew Choffo For Unexpired 1 Year Term 5,496
Krendra Von Achen For Unexpired 1 Year Term 4,492


United States Senate

Robert Menendez Democrat 53%
Bob Hugin Republican 43%


House of Representatives

Mikie Sherrill Democrat 58%
Jay Webber Republican 40%


County Clerk – 84% of districts reporting

Shala Gagilardi Democrat 68,646
Ann Grossi Republican 81,590

Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders

Mary Dougherty Democrat 71,171
Rupande Mehta Democrat 68,040
Richard Corcoran Democrat 68,146
Deborah Smith Republican 79,823
John Krickus Republican 78,761
Stephen H. Shaw Republican 78,297
The crowd watching the results at Parsippany Sheraton Hotel