PARSIPPANY — Mayor James Barberio presented a resolution to proclaim April 2017 as National Autism Awareness Acceptance, Understanding and Inclusion Month and urge all citizens to participate in National Autism Awareness Month activities to become better educated about autism and to create a better community for individuals with autism.

Accepting the proclamation were Peter Fifoot and Antoinette Fifoot from Autism New Jersey.

World Autism Awareness Day. The ninth annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2017. Every year, autism organizations around the world celebrate the day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events.

Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication, as well as by unique strengths and differences.

The proclamation read:

Whereas, autism is a pervasive developmental disorder affecting the social communication and behavioral skills of those affected by it; and

Whereas, as more health professionals become proficient in diagnosing autism, more children are being diagnosed on the autism spectrum, resulting in rates as high as 1 in 68 children nationally and 1 in 41 in New Jersey; and

Whereas, while there is no cure for autism, it is well-documented that if individuals with autism receive early and intensive treatment throughout their lives, they lead significantly improved lives; and

Whereas, individuals with autism often require a lifetime of specialized and community support services to insure their health and safety and to support families’ resilience as they manage the psychological and financial burdens autism can present; and

Whereas, Autism New Jersey is spearheading an awareness in order to educate parents, professionals and the general public about autism and its effects.

Now, Therefore, I, James R. Barberio, Mayor of the Township of Parsippany-­Troy Hills, do hereby proclaim April 2017 as National Autism Awareness Acceptance, Understanding and Inclusion Month and urge all citizens to participate in National Autism Awareness Month activities to become better educated about autism and to create a better community for individuals with autism.

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, April 11 beginning at 5:00 p.m.

The purpose of considering an amendment to the Salary Cap Ordinance.  A copy of the proposed amendment to the Salary Cap Ordinance will be placed on file at the Office of the Township Clerk, located at 1001 Parsippany Boulevard and will be available to the public for inspection during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays.

Formal action may or may not be taken.

“It has been my policy, unlike the Mayor, that I do not comment on pending litigation. However, the Mayor has elected to make baseless allegations yet again against me, rather than addressing the accusations against his administration. Now, as I understand it, the Mayor has scheduled a special council meeting for Tuesday. I, for one, have not been contacted about the meeting. Maybe this is going to be another one of the Mayor’s “private meetings” to discuss public issues. In any event, it is yet another black eye for Parsippany courtesy of Mayor Barberio and his administration,” stated Council Vice President Robert  Peluso

On Friday, April 7, Democratic activist and candidate for governor Bill Brennan filed a citizen’s complaint against Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio and Business Administrator Ellen Sandman in Parsippany Municipal Court, a move that could result in fourth degree criminal charges against the duo. Both defendants must appear in Morris County Superior Court on Wednesday, April 19 at 11:30 a.m.

The complaints stem from a series of articles published in Parsippany Focus earlier this year. Barberio authorized the hiring of Retired Police Sergeant Eugene Natoli on December 19, 2016 at an annual salary of $50,000. The “Request for Personnel Action” report indicates he works in the “Administration Department” as a “Keyboarding Clerk 1.”  The position is a full time, permanent position. (click here to read article)

The Personnel Action form was signed by Business Administrator Ellen Sandman.

Then in an article published in Parsippany Focus on March 7, “Barberio Breaks Township Ordinances Elected to Enforce, Again,” a source inside Town Hall told Parsippany Focus that Barberio hired Ramona (Jackie) Ortiz effective December 5, 2016 as a Keyboarding Clerk I, at an annual salary of $54,000. The salary ordinance for white-collar workers, specifically Keyboarding Clerk 1, Ordinance 2016:22 states the salary is a minimum of $17,000 with a maximum of $48,000. She was hired at $6,000 more than the maximum amount allowed by Township Ordinance. It is evident that Mayor Barberio hired Ms. Ortiz in clear violation of the law. (click here to read complete Personnel Action form)

The Personnel Action form was signed by Business Administrator Ellen Sandman.