Loyola University Maryland Welcomes Jeffrey Umanzor to the Class of 2021

PARSIPPANY — As first-year students embark on their college experience, they will all take part in Loyola’s living learning program, Messina. The common text for Messina is Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson. The book, a compelling first-hand account of a lawyer who defends the poor and wrongly condemned, speaks to the inequality in the justice system.

Jeffrey Umanzor is Loyola’s newest greyhounds. Jeffrey was a 2017 graduate of Parsippany High School and was among the 243 graduating students.

Class of 2021 by the numbers:

  • 8%: students who attended Jesuit high schools
  • 10%: legacy students
  • 16%: first-generation college students
  • 21%: students of color
  • 29%: students who enrolled test optional
  • 1,031: total students enrolled

Established in 1852, Loyola University Maryland is a Catholic, Jesuit comprehensive university comprising Loyola College, home to the University’s arts and sciences programs; the Sellinger School of Business and Management; and the School of Education. Loyola enrolls 4,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students from across the country.

Montville threatens to sue Parsippany over money Barberio transferred to create a 0% budget increase

PARSIPPANY — During the Township Council agenda meeting of Tuesday, October 3, Township Attorney John Inglesino advised the council they were going into closed session to discuss possible litigation with Montville.

Parsippany Focus issued a series of Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests and received a letter dated September 27, 2017 to Mayor James Barberio from Montville Mayor James Sandham.

Montville Township is seeking $1M dollars from Parsippany, as a one-time credit to offset over the next two years against charges of the Sewer Treatment Plant Agreement to Montville from Parsippany.

“Over the past six weeks our office has made inquiries for certain financial and budget information which relates to the fact that over the last seven years more than $8 million in fund balance from the Parsippany Sewer Utility has been anticipated as revenue as part of the Parsippany municipal budget. Notwithstanding numerous phone calls, requests and delays, as of this date we have not received the documentation from the Township of Parsippany relating to our request,” said James Sandham.

In balancing the 2017 budget, Mayor James Barberio transferred $3.2 Million from the Parsippany Utilities to the Parsippany Municipal Budget.  This created a zero percent municipal tax increase. ($700,000 was transferred from Parsippany Water Utility Operating Account and $2.5 Million from Parsippany Sewer Utility Operating Account.)
The same tactic was used in the 2013 Election, when sewer surplus of $550,000 was used to create a 0% budget increase.

Sandham continued “As a long-time user of and contributor to the system, you are aware that the Township of Montville accounts for approximately 20% of the financial revenues for the Parsippany Sewer Utility. Certainly, the governing body was recently made aware that significant funds and transfers have been made from this Utility in addition to the enormous surplus that exists in the facility as well.”

“$8.5 million of fund balance that has been transferred (to the municipal budget) times 11.7% (Montville’ s share of rents) equals $1 million.” the letter stated.

In addition the letter states, “due to the time that has elapsed and the priority of this matter to the Township of Montville, we are making this proposal which will be withdrawn by October 20, 2017. After that date, we will direct the Township Attorney to immediately commence the filing of suit in Superior Court in order to address this issue.”

They are also requesting for 2017 and beyond we will require a detailed analysis of costs and expenses charged to the Sewer Utility as well as a detailed calculation of the allocation methodology amongst the several municipal users.

Mayor James Barberio refused to comment on this story.

Click here to read a copy of Mayor James Sandham’s letter dated September 27, 2017.

Click here to read an email sent to Mayor James Barberio (second request) asking for comment to the story. An additional request was sent on Friday, October 13 to Mayor James Barberio, Council President Louis Valori, Council Vice President Robert Peluso, Councilman Michael dePierro, Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr., and Loretta Gragnani, which also went unanswered.

Editors Note: After the story was posted we did receive an email from Mayor James Barberio stating “Before you post the story the Township Attorney will be reporting on this issue.”  Parsippany Focus will update the story as soon as we receive a response from Township Attorney John Inglesino.

Bergman Real Estate Group and Time Equities unveil the new “Century Campus”

PARSIPPANY — What was once a three-building office complex nestled in a former Mack-Cali corporate campus in Parsippany will soon become one of the hottest places to “live, work and play,” thanks to a $4.5 million capital improvement program and new state-of-the-art building upgrades and upscale amenities.

Bergman Real Estate Group, in partnership with Time Equities, Inc., announced its plans to introduce nearly a dozen trendsetting amenities to 4, 5 and 6 Century Drive, now known as “Century Campus.” The 280,000-square-foot office park is comprised of three class B buildings, acquired last year from Mack-Cali by Bergman Real Estate Group and Time Equities, Inc. The property was 50 percent leased at the time of acquisition.

According to Michael Bergman, president and CEO of Bergman Real Estate Group, Century Campus reflects a 21st-century approach to the work environment which has dedicated space for work and play, an inspiring environment which encourages productivity while retaining a commanding professional presence. These amenities include:

• A 4,500-square-foot executive lounge with a staffed espresso bar
• Media center with state-of-the-art screens and other multimedia equipment
• Seating areas outfitted with modern, comfortable furniture
• Co-working executive suites with glass walls sized for startups and entrepreneurs
• Game area with ping-pong and pool tables, TV and seating areas
• Shared conference and training center which tenants can use for large meetings, training sessions and more
• An art studio with instruction from local artists
• Upgraded full service Café with new seating and decor
• A massage room
• An app-based bike-sharing program which tenants can use to ride to lunch or travel around Century Campus
• Newly landscaped grounds with walking paths, seating areas and a Bocce ball court
• A fully-equipped gym and yoga studio coming in 2018

“The suburban office market needs to adapt and change to support how people work today,” Bergman said. “We’re creating a space for people not only to relax and help their productivity, but where they can actually conduct business or hold meetings as well,” Bergman said. “Such a state-of-the-art environment is not only impressive to clients, but inspiring for the people who work there. We’re seeing this trend not just in New Jersey, but all throughout the country, and we are proud to create such a positive working atmosphere for current and future tenants alike at Century Campus.”

The game room, media center and executive lounge are slotted to open November 1, while the others will be completed in phases over the next several months. The bike sharing program is already available to Century Campus tenants.

According to Bergman, Century Campus will also undergo head-to-toe internal and external renovations. Extensive upgrades and renovations are being made to the buildings’ lobbies, corridors and bathrooms, as well as to landscaping, outdoor pathways and parking lots.
The renovations and amenities are already having a positive impact on Century Campus. Several new long-term leases have been signed since acquiring the property a year ago, improving the occupancy.

“People spend their day at the office, so we want to make it as pleasing and comfortable as possible,” Bergman said. “All the services one could possibly need to be comfortable are located in one place.”

Century Campus is located near the intersection of Route 10 and Route 202, close to three of the state’s most highly traveled highways – Interstates 287, 80 and 280. The complex is five minutes from the Morristown train station, a 35-minute drive to New York City and is close to Newark-Liberty International Airport.

Century Campus offers flexible floor plans with current availability ranging from 2,000 square feet to full-floor occupancies up to 35,000 square feet and a contiguous block of 60,000 square feet. For more information, click here.

Founded in 1988, Bergman Real Estate Group is a privately owned, full-service real estate investment and management company, with more than 28 years of operating history in New Jersey and other select markets. The company’s fully integrated platform includes acquisition, ownership, asset and property management, leasing and construction supervision. Bergman, which has built its success on acquiring and successfully repositioning underperforming properties, currently owns and manages 18 office buildings comprising 2.1 million square feet.

Founded in 1966, privately-held Time Equities, Inc. (TEI) has been in the real estate investment, development and asset & property management business for 50 years. With properties in 26 states, four Canadian provinces, Germany and the Netherlands, the TEI portfolio consists of approximately 23.4 million square feet of residential, industrial, office and retail property.Image Upload

Women’s Club tours Mount Tabor

PARSIPPANY — Fun was had by all on October 14 when Mount Tabor’s Historical Society held a special tour for members of the Woman’s Club of Parsippany- Troy Hills, prospective club members and friends of the club.  Historical Society member and longtime Mount Tabor resident Beth Shaw led the tour which started at the Bethel Pavilion and weaved through the colorful period painted gingerbread Victorian homes. After the fascinating tour, the Woman’s Club made a donation to the Mount Tabor Historical Society..

The Mount Tabor History House Museum is open to the public on the secpmd Sunday of each month and by appointment.  Their upcoming Holiday Craft Fair is Saturday, November 11 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday, November 12, from noon to 3:00 pm. Proceeds go to maintaining the Mount Tabor History House Museum and for educational programs offered to the public.  For more information call (973) 975-0001.

The Woman’s Club of Parsippany Troy-Hills holds their next meeting on Monday, October 23. In November, their meeting is on Monday, November 27. Meetings start at 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Parsippany Rescue & Recovery Building, 100 Centerton Drive.  The club is always looking for new members eager to take part in community activities and help those in need.

The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC (NJSFWC), 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, visit the website by clicking here  or on the club’s FaceBook page.

Meeting schedule is subject to change.  Please contact Cathy if interested in attending a meeting or to confirm date and time.

House fire on Lake Shore Drive

PARSIPPANY — At approximately 3:00 a.m. Saturday morning, October 14, Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 6, Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire District 3 and Mt. Tabor Volunteer Fire District 1 Rapid Intervention Team responded to a fire at the corner of Lake Shore Drive and Califon Road, Lake Parsippany.

The fire was contained to the bedroom, because the resident shut the door and the rapid response from the fire department, damage was minimal.

Parsippany Rescue and Recovery was called to the scene to board up the home. In addition to the fire, the home sustained moderate smoke damage.

Morris County Office of Emergency Management air truck was requested to the scene, as well as Morris County Sheriff Crime Scene.

According to witnesses at the scene, no one was hurt and everyone in the home got out safely.

fire lake shore drive
Rescue and Recovery boarded up the home on Lake Shore Drive
fire lake parsippany
Flames from the windows at a residence on Lake Shore Drive
Heavy smoke

Editors correction: We mistakenly identified District 1 as Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire District 1 Rapid Intervention Team. Sorry for the inconvenience. 

T-mobile store robbed in broad daylight

PARSIPPANY — At 2:20 p.m. on Monday, October 2 Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officers responded to the T-Mobile Store, 376 Route 46 West, for a reported Robbery. The store is located near the ramp for Route 80 west.

Upon arrival of responding officers, they were advised that four black males entered the store wearing hooded sweatshirts and began to steal phones from various displays.

One male suspect advised the employee not to follow them as the exited because a person with a firearm is outside the store.

The suspects fled the area in a motor vehicle.

Parsippany Detective Jeramine Pledger, along with the Morris County Sheriff’s Department CIS responded to the scene to assist in the investigation.

It was determined that approximately $3500.00 worth of cellphones were stolen.

This incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Parsippany Police Department’s Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.

Driver arrested for CDS and DWI at Wawa

PARSIPPANY — On Sunday, October 8 at 10:52 p.m. Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Patrol Officers Andy Van Orden and Jeffrey Williams stopped at Wawa, 350 New Road, to purchase a drink, when they observed a male exit a 2003 Saturn, stumble as he walked to the trash can and then return back to the running vehicle.

After a brief time observing the male in the vehicle, the officers made contact with Jader Ferris, 28, from Reading, PA.

After a brief investigation, the officers located five glassine folds of suspected heroin, drug paraphernalia, and a stun gun inside the vehicle he was operating. Mr. Ferris was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing.

While at Police Headquarters he was charged with one count of Third Degree; Possession of CDS (Heroin) one count of Fourth Degree; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Stun Gun);
Failure to Turn CDS over to Law Enforcement, a Disorderly Person Offense;
Possession of a Hypodermic Needle, a Disorderly Person Offense;  Under the Influence of CDS without a Prescription, a Disorderly Person Offense; Driving While Intoxicated; Possession of CDS in a Motor Vehicle; and Reckless Driving.

He was transported to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending his initial court date.

Help support the PHHS Competition Cheerleading

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Hills High School Competition Cheerleading team is working hard to achieve the ultimate goal of being the first team in PHHS history to compete at the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships in Orlando Florida. The competition is held from February 11 to February 18.

The team will first compete to qualify is the UCA Northeast Regionals in Toms River in November 11. Then if the team qualifies they continue to the National Championship.

Your support will help each girl obtain this goal and achieve this once in a lifetime cheer experience. Any amount is greatly appreciated and you will receive a receipt for your generous gift. They are hoping to raise over $15,000 to cover registration costs, qualifier costs, airfare, transportation, lodging, and meals for the team.

The National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC) is the most prestigious cheerleading championship in the country. The NHSCC is held at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Florida, and nationally televised on ESPN and ESPN2 to over 100 million homes and 32 countries nationwide each year. The Championship is also streamed live on Varsity TV on Varsity.com.

Please support the Parsippany Hills High School Competition Cheerleading team.

Click here to donate.

 

YMCA renews membership in Parsippany Chamber

PARSIPPANY — The Lakeland Hills YMCA recently renewed their membership with the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce. Presenting their plaque was Dr. Patrick Selimo to YMCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Viktor J. Joganow.

The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is a non-profit community service organization serving eleven municipalities throughout Morris County. It has been in continuous operation at 100 Fanny Road since 1972 catering to more than 10,000 families in the communities of Boonton, Boonton Township, Butler, Denville, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Montville, Mountain Lakes, Parsippany, Pequannock, and Riverdale.

The Y is a complete health, fitness and recreational facility that includes: a six-lane heated Pool, Regulation-size Gymnasium, Health & Fitness Training Center, Fitness Studio, Kids Zone, Locker Rooms (also Long-term Locker Rooms for ‘adults only’ that include Saunas and Steam Room), Marion Mann Roberts Early Childhood Learning Center, Summer Day Camp, Outdoor Pavilion and Picnic Area with restrooms, and a colorful children’s playground. Off site, the Y operates five “Kids Club” After School Programs throughout the service area.

The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is a community charity with a mission based on Christian principles encouraging members, individuals, and families to grow in spirit, mind and body through programs and services that promote Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility for all. It is also the desire of this association to meet the necessities of the community by providing services to those in need regardless of their ability to pay the full cost of membership and/or programs. A large part of providing those services comes from the Annual Giving Campaign, Give a Kid the Y. This yearly event helps those (particularly children) who are less fortunate and without the financial means, a chance to participate in life enriching programs and skill development, both physical and social. Last year the Y helped more than 500 individuals and families with more than $300,000 in contributions, including Give a Kid the Y.

The Y exists to fulfill community needs and to create greater access to opportunities that promote health and wellness for everyone – a purpose that will continue for many more years to come.

For more information on Lakeland Hills YMCA, click here.

PACC is a service organization for businesses, merchants, residents, and volunteers that provides education, information, and networking opportunities to the Parsippany Area. We work with our local and county governments and stand ready to pursue any matter that can make our community a better place in which to live, conduct business, and make a living. We promote a healthy and more prosperous economic climate.

For information on Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce, call (973) 402-6400.

 

Letter to the Editor: Reader objects to Mayor’s newsletter

parsippany focusDear Editor:

I agree that the mayor’s sending Parsippany’s last newsletter was timed to coincide with Mr. Soriano’s first mailing.

I object to using an semi-official document for political gain.

Patricia Scott