PARSIPPANY — A sanitation worker was injured Thursday morning when he was struck by a car as he tried to get back to the township garbage truck, police said. Police responded to Lake Shore Drive at about 11:31 a.m. and found a 63-year-old employee with the Parsippany Department of Sanitation had been hit by a car…
Sanitation worker hit by car
Gannon to speak at Woman’s Club April meeting
PARSIPPANY — Area women are invited to join members of the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills (WCPTH) who will meet on Monday, April 24 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Parsippany Rescue & Recovery Building, 100 Centerton Drive. The club is a great group of women of all ages and walks of life committed to volunteerism and service to the community.
After a short business meeting, Sheriff James Gannon, the 77th Sheriff of Morris County, will be the guest Speaker. Sheriff Gannon will speak about his first term in office and what the Sheriff’s Department really does. He will also address current affairs and how his 33-year career in law enforcement and security helped prepare him for his position.
The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC, which is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service.
For more information call Cathy at (973) 984-0758, e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com or visit their website by clicking here.
Morris County Public Safety Youth Academy enrollment applications available
PARSIPPANY — Enrollment for this summer’s highly competitive 2017 Morris County Public Safety Youth Academy has opened, with limited space available for the intensive week-long course for young Morris County women and men, entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2017.
The fifth-annual, week-long academy will be held from Monday, July 31 to Friday, August 4 at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, 500 West Hanover Avenue.
It is run by the Morris County Department of Law & Public Safety/Office of Emergency Management, in partnership with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and Morris County Park Police, and funded by the Morris County Board of Freeholders.
The academy offers a five-day program that is open to all Morris County students who are enrolled in Grades 9-12 in the fall of 2017. It is completely free of charge to the cadets and their families.
The academy is a uniquely designed program which provides high school students exposure to and a better understanding of the various facets within the field of public safety. This program has been designed to target Morris County’s young adults at a time when they are making decisions regarding their future education and careers.
“They are in the process of making educational and life commitments that could potentially impact their careers, their character, and their communities,’ said Morris County Freeholder Director Doug Cabana. “We want to give them a chance to see if public safety might be a way for them to go.’’
“This is an investment in the youth of our county, and a chance to interest some of the brightest young people who live in Morris County to consider being future leaders in our vitally important public safety team,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Tom Mastrangelo, who is the county governing board’s liaison to the Department of Law and Public Safety.
The Youth Academy is a unique program that exposes cadets to all facets of the public safety profession.
This intensive program will provide cadets with specially designed training and hands-on experience in the fields of police, fire, EMS, emergency management, and more.
Class size is limited, and the summer 2017 class is expected to quickly fill to its capacity.
To get more information about this exciting program, or to apply for enrollment, click here.
Parsippany Town Hall Council Agenda Meeting, 03/07/2017
PARSIPPANY — There are two videos for the Township meeting of Tuesday, March 7.
Here is part two
Another Successful Parsippany Chamber Networking Event
PARSIPPANY — “Developing A Successful Marketing Plan for the Small Business” was the topic presented at a Breakfast Networking Event held by the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce on Friday, March 10.
The Breakfast Networking Series is held at IHOP, 792 Route 46
This PACC Breakfast Presentation was presented by Ilene Greene and Ted Polmar, Principals of Marketshare Communications and BizCircles Entrepreneurs Business Network
A Marketing Plan offers a simple strategy or set of strategies, a marketing calendar, an evaluation system and a series of tactics that give you complete control of your marketing activities.
Topics discussed included “How to put your Marketing Plan together, Budgeting your plan, The initiatives you must take to make it happen and a good Marketing Plan conveys your company’s vision and mission to your target, markets, customers and employees.”
All participants was able to create a SWOT Analysis and discuss their Successes, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats that goes into planning your business’ future.
The next PACC Breakfast Presentation will be held on Tuesday, April 11 discussing “Email Marketing – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.”
To make a reservation for this event click here.
Mulroony to receive MCCEA Friends of Education Award
PARSIPPANY — The Morris County Council of Education Associations has named Dr. Denis Mulroony, Parsippany High School principal, as its 2017 administrator recipient of the MCCEA Friends of Education Award. The prize is bestowed annually on individuals who have made outstanding contributions to public education in Morris County. Winners are chosen from among community members, businesses, local leaders, parent organizations, administrators or others who have made significant, extraordinary contributions to public education.
In his letter of nomination, Dr. Mulroony was commended for “creating a supportive school community in which students, teachers, support staff and administrators alike have united to form an interactive team that has come to be the Parsippany High School family.” It went on to say, “Through his many service nights for students and the public, his pride in the school community and his tireless and motivating personal participation in nearly all aspects of school life, he has demonstrated time and again his impact on students, public employees, parents, and the community far above and beyond what his duties as principal entail.”
Dr. Mulroony, who is a graduate of Parsippany High School, began serving as principal in the fall of 2013 following a term as principal of Lake Parsippany elementary school. He was previously a vice principal of PHS, where he began his career in Parsippany as a teacher of English.
The MCCEA is a county wide organization comprised of the local education association chapters of the New Jersey Education Association, which includes the PTHEA. The award will be presented to Dr. Mulroony before educators from across the county at a formal dinner on March 29.
Woman’s Club of Parsippany–Troy Hills Annual Mardi Bras Collection
PARSIPPANY — The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills recently conducted its annual drive to collect new bras and children’s underwear to donate to women and their children living at Jersey Battered Women’s Service shelters.
JBWS provides a safe house and transitional living accommodations for victims of abuse, who are often forced to leave their homes with only the clothing they are wearing. The Woman’s Club collected 60 new bras and over 200 assorted pairs of new children’s underwear from club members and friends. This Mardi Bras Collection, conducted during the Mardi Gras season, is a project of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs and the Distributing Dignity Organization. To donate or for more information click here.
The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC, which is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service. The next General Meeting is Monday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Parsippany Rescue & Recovery Building, 100 Centerton Drive. For more information call Cathy at (973) 984-0758, e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com or click here for their website.
Meeting schedule is subject to change. Please contact Cathy (Membership Chairman) if interested in attending a meeting or to confirm date and time.
Barberio Breaks Township Ordinances Elected to Enforce, Again!
PARSIPPANY — According to documents revealed through an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request Ramona (Jackie) Ortiz was hired 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, passed on second reading on August 16, 2016 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.
Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr., said “My concern is the Mayor is violating a town ordinance. In turn he’s breaking the law and it appears more than once. He’s hired people above the top salary allowed for those positions which clearly violates the town ordinance. We have hard working employees that have been working for the town for over 10 years in those positions and they are not even close to the top salary for their positions. Barberio seems to think it’s OK for him to bring in certain people and start them not only at the highest end of the salary range for those positions but he brings them in and starts them at a salary that exceeds the highest salary allowed therefore violating the town ordinance. What kind of message is he sending to the rest of our town employees and to the residents of our town. Again just another example of how Barberio thinks he is above the law.”
During a recent Council Meeting, Councilman Carifi questioned Business Administrator Ellen Sandman about the amount being paid and she said “Yes the Mayor is still paying certain employees more than the allowed amount for positions.” So to me, he (The Mayor) obviously doesn’t care.
Business Administrator Ellen Sandman said “As you know, we are going to be adopting the budget for 2017 hopefully by late April, at the very least early May, and you will then see the salary ordinance which will mark that which was approved through the budget by the Council in our new 2017 salary ordinance. It is then that we will have reviewed all the changes made after the August 16, 2016 ordinance. This new 2017 min/max ordinance will modify those changes that occurred after the 2016 salary ordinance and will also reflect adjustments made to individuals who exceed the current min/max. These changes may have occurred due to commitments made through classes, certifications, increased responsibilities. I’ve requested a Finance Committee meeting to review our practice of adopting a salary ordinance once a year and am contemplating perhaps a January salary ordinance to capture those changes that may have taken place after the previous ordinance but before the next budget adoption. It is important to note that the individual referred to was hired on December 5, 2016 and as of this date, has not exceeded the min/max ordinance. This will be addressed in the new 2017 min/max ordinance, as will all other titles that exceed the 2016 salary ordinance.”
“Although you are not asking about the Keyboarding Clerk I title specifically, I believe it is important to provide you with information as it relates to these outdated Civil Service titles. As I stated during the Council meeting, we have asked Civil Service to meet with us as well as the other nine Civil Service jurisdictions in Morris County to address this matter, said Ellen Sandman”
According to sources at Town Hall, Ms. Ortiz was hired to coordinate employee benefits. She was previously employed by Fairview Insurance. Fairview Insurance, a firm with close ties to the township donated approximately $50,000 to America’s Future First (AFF) and New Jersey’s Future First (NJFF) the political PACs that contributed indirectly to the reelection of Councilman Michael dePierro, and the election of Loretta Grangani. Vincent Ferrara was also a candidate but lost the election. Fairview Insurance is the Township’s Insurance Broker of Record.
In addition, the Director of Business Development for Fairview Insurance and liaison to the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, Ryan Graham, son of the founder of the firm, donated $12,000.00 to the Super PAC during this period.
This seems to be a normal event in Parsippany. This is not the first time Mayor James Barberio violated the white collar salary ordinance.
Earlier this year on January 9, 2017, Parsippany Focus reported Retired Police Sergeant Eugene Natoli was hired by Parsippany-Troy Hills Township 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. He was hired at $2,000 more than the maximum amount allowed by Township Ordinance. It is evident that Mayor Barberio hired Mr. Natoli in clear violation of the law.
According to New Jersey Civil Service Commission, the definition of a Keyboarding Clerk I is “Under close supervision, performs routine, repetitive clerical work involving the processing of documents in a variety of functions; formats and key enters/types correspondence, documents, reports, charts and other materials on a computer console, typewriter, or other key entry device used by the agency; does other related duties as required. Keyboarding clerks typically spend a majority of their work time (more than 50%) typing or operating keyboard equipment. Speed and accuracy are essential for all keyboarding positions.
Business Administrator Ellen Sandman was hired in 2014, with $15,000 over the maximum salary guideline. When Mayor Barberio announced the hiring of Sandman, he revealed Sandman’s salary would be $140,000. Former Councilman Jonathan Nelson asked the Mayor in Public Session, “I don’t have the white collar salary ordinance in front of me but I believe this amount is over the salary cap,” The former CFO Joe Kovalcik stated that her pay was within the salary ordinance. Parsippany Focus filed an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request for the salary ordinance for white-collar workers at that time.
State Statute, 40:69A-40 states the duties of the Mayor shall enforce the charter and ordinances of the municipality and all general laws applicable thereto.
The salary ordinance indicated the white-collar workers, specifically Business Administrator, Ordinance 2013:16, passed on June 13, 2013 states the salary was a minimum of $75,000 with a maximum of $125,000. She was hired at $15,000 more than the Ordinance allowed. It is evident that Mayor Barberio hired the new Business Administrator in clear violation of the law. (Click here to read article)
Shortly after Parsippany Focus published the story, the Mayor introduced Ordinance 2014:15 to the Council requesting a change in the salary ordinance for two positions. The Chief Financial Officer’s pay maximum was increased to $150,000 and the Business Administrator’s maximum pay was increased to $150,000. This ordinance was read on first reading, and voted 5-0. The second reading and final passage of the ordinance was read and voted 4-1 on Tuesday, June 17, 2014. Council Vice President Robert Peluso voted against the salary change. That salary change was retroactive to January 1, 2014.
Parsippany Focus asked Mayor James Barberio, Councilman Michael dePierro, Council President Louis Valori, and Council Vice President Robert Peluso for comment, but didn’t respond to our requests.
Today is National Pancake Day
PARSIPPANY — Don’t show up to IHOP, 792 Route 46 today without a big appetite! March 7 marks National Pancake Day 2017, which means a free stack of pancakes for all. That is, if you follow the below guidelines.
Those visiting Parsippany IHOP today, Tuesday, March 7 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. can get a free short stack of their famous Original Buttermilk Pancakes. Talk about a tasty deal!
While free pancake are available to all, there are some exceptions. This offer is limited to one stack per guest and is for dine-customers only. In other words, you can’t order your free pancakes to go.
While there’s no purchase necessary to participate in this offer, IHOP does suggest guests make a donation to one of their charitable partners in return. Donations made on National Pancake Day at IHOP restaurants benefits Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Shriners Hospitals for Children and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which fights blood cancers.
Since its start in 2006, National Pancake Day donations have raised more than $24 million for charity. IHOP hopes to raise $3.5 million for children battling life-threatening illnesses in 2017.
If you’re looking for another way to help IHOP’s cause, IHOP customers can purchase a “Wall Icon” to pledge their support.
All of the money raised on IHOP National Pancake Day is donated directly to local children in need.
“Year after year, we look forward to celebrating with our guests and fans, and are amazed by their generosity,” Mo Abdelhadi, Owner, IHOP Parsippany.
“Every pancake served on IHOP National Pancake Day has a purpose, and every penny raised goes a long way in making a meaningful, and lasting, impact on so many kids and families in our communities,” said Abdelhadi.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany are volunteering for IHOP’s National Pancake Day. Restaurant guests enjoy a free short stack of pancakes in exchange for a suggested donation to the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, a preferred charity of Kiwanis International.
Volunteers encourage guests to support the cause and fulfill Kiwanis’ mission to serve children.
Lake Hiawatha TD Bank is Robbed
PARSIPPANY – The Lake Hiawatha branch of TD Bank, 435 North Beverwcyk Road was robbed on Monday afternoon, at approximately 3:00 p.m. The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrived on the scene at approximately 5:50 p.m. Possible red Honda was used as a get away vehicle.
Morris County Prosecutors Office Major Crime Unit is on the scene investigating.
Signs on the door indicate the bank is closed and will reopen as normal on Tuesday, March 7.
Police would not confirm additional details on the investigation, which is ongoing, at this time, directing questions to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
On Saturday, March 3, another TD Bank on Eisenhower Parkway, Roseland was also robbed. Reports of a robbery at a bank in Roseland has police on the scene investigating. Police responded to a robbery in progress report at the TD Bank that’s located in the 40’s block of Eisenhower Parkway shortly before 1:45 p.m. where arriving officers began a search for 5’7″ tall male who was wearing a gray hoodie and black jacket when he ran from the bank. The man fled the scene with several hundred dollars according to reports. There were no reports of a weapon shown.
On Thursday, February 23, Police responded to the TD Bank on McBride Avenue in Woodland Park. It was a robbery and a suspect was arrested, said Detective Lt. John Uzzalino. Around 9:45 a.m., a man entered the bank and approached the teller, handing her a note that said “he has a gun, turn over the money or he will shoot.” She gave the man about $500 in cash, Uzzalino said. Officers stopped a vehicle and found that the driver, Jose Cruz, 30, matched the description of the bank robbery suspect, Uzzalino said. Cruz faces charges of terroristic threats and robbery, Uzzalino said.
In January, TD Bank in Little Ferry was also robed. A white male roughly 5 feet 10 inches tall and wearing a gray hooded sweat shirt, blue jeans, work boots and a dark gray wool hat entered the bank at 225 Main Street around 1:00 p.m. Sunday, January 15 police said. He had facial hair and appeared to be in his 20s.
On December 27, 2014 TD Bank in Denville was robbed, and the robber was captured.
On December 23, 2013 Santander Bank on Littleton Road was robbed and the robber was caught.
In August 2012, Provident Bank on Smith Road was robbed, and the robber is still at large.
Indus American Bank, was robbed July 20, 2012, and that robber was caught.
On September 5, 2012 the PNC Bank on Route 46 was robbed and the robber was caught a few hours later in Secaucus.
Parsippany Focus will update this article as soon as complete details are released.