MORRIS COUNTY — State Senator Joe Pennacchio thanked Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. for allowing the formation of a special committee to investigate the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Pennacchio released the following statement:

“I echoed the same concerns and desires articulated by the Senate President and Republican Leader Kean in today’s announcement. The focus of our committee must be a factual review of what has happened to date, what should not have happened, and how we can make it better going into the future.

“I would hope the Senate would vote to form this committee, with subpoena powers, as soon as possible. I would also hope the committee, like Governor Murphy, will hold its meetings in Trenton, in the People’s House, for all to see.

“The special committee must be able to work in real-time to share its concerns and determine how we can open up our economy and return to normalcy. It must determine how we can better safeguard the lives of our most vulnerable citizens living in long term nursing facilities.

“To that end, I stand prepared to begin work and I challenge the Senate to construct and enable this committee as soon as possible.

“On behalf of the citizens of New Jersey who want answers, I thank the Senators Sweeney and Kean for their leadership.”

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Parks and Recreation has announced that all summer playground programs – Tot Time, Half Day Playground and All Day Playground are cancelled this summer.

This decision was not easy to make, but ultimately had to be because the safety of the children, staff and their families must be paramount.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 public health guidelines and restrictions issued by the CDC prevent us from operating these programs in the way that our children deserve – a fun, engaging, social and interactive experience.

For those of you that already registered and pre-paid, refunds will start being issued as soon as possible. Please be patient with us as we work to get everyone refunded.

MOUNTAIN LAKES — In conjunction with the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance, the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA will supply free boxes of fresh produce from Seashore Fruit and Produce Co. on Tuesday, May 26 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If you or someone you know is facing financial hardship due to the ongoing crisis, please come by the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA to pick up a box containing apples, potatoes, onions, lettuce and other fresh produce.  Drive up to the front of the building and the box(es) will be placed into your car for you so there is no contact.

Free Prepared Food Trays

The Mansion at Mountain Lakes is providing prepared food trays for those in need. Their chefs are using foods donated from U.S. Foods, and will prepare trays for individuals, couples, or families. If you or someone you know needs this type of assistance please contact Jim at The Mansion at Mountain Lakes by email at Jim@themansionML.com or phone at (973) 794-3900. The Mansion is located at 90 Route 46 East, Mountain Lakes.

MORRIS COUNTY — The 2020 Morris County Park Junior Police Academy has been canceled for this summer, announced the park police department.

“It’s with great disappointment and regret that we announce the cancellation of this year’s Junior Police Academy. Besides the obvious reason of the COVID-19 pandemic, the facilities of the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy may not be open, and if they are, will most likely be used to train much-needed new first responders and provide in-service training for current first responders,” the statement said.

The Junior Police Academy was scheduled for July 6 to July 10.

Anyone with questions, can email cdigiralomo@morrisparks.net or cpetrocy@morrisparks.net or call (973) 326-7654, extension 1.

PARSIPPANY — Please be advised the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will hold a Special Meeting on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

The purpose of this meeting is to allow the Open Space Committee to discuss the purchase of Open Space Property, specifically the Kosut Property.

Given the COVID-19 Pandemic this meeting will not be held in person but through the use of a virtual media platform. Click here to access the meeting. Formal action may or may not be taken.

Members of the Open Space Committee includes Mayor Michael A. Soriano, Chairman; Jennifer Vealey, Administrative Officer; Michael DePierro, Council Liaison; Gabe Yaccorino, Grant Administrator; Dr. Jean Montecuollo; Len Cipkins; Jean Montecuollo; Ruth Palmeri and Dr. Joseph Weisberg.

PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) sent recommendations to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) outlining key steps the agencies can take to help New Jersey small businesses and to fix the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) programs.

On April 29, 2020, Representative Sherrill released a small business survey for the 11th Congressional District to gather data on small business programs. More than 340 small business owners responded to the survey and shared their experiences with the PPP and EIDL programs, including: status of their applications, unanswered questions, recommended changes, and challenges they face in preparing to reopen. Representative Sherrill’s letter to Treasury and the SBA is built upon the concerns and recommendations from New Jersey small business owners.

“In the effort to get relief out to our small businesses, it is critical that we respond to the concerns of our small business owners by addressing the gaps and inefficiencies they have identified in the PPP and EIDL programs,” wrote Representative Sherrill. “These programs need to be fixed to better support New Jersey businesses that are struggling through no fault of their own. The perspectives of small business owners have been invaluable as we work to better manage the economic recovery.”

The full text of the letter can be found by clicking here.

PARSIPPANY — The Regional Recovery Task Force released their third report today outlining recommendations to congressional leadership on mass transit as we adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report follows the task force’s meeting with Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and CEO Patrick Foye, who also served from 2011 and 2017 as the Executive Director for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

“North Jersey residents rely on mass transit to get to work and our entire region is interconnected by our transit system,” said Rep. Sherrill. “We must work to make our systems safe and ensure they have the resources they need to successfully get our economy back up and running. It’s critical that Congress supports these efforts.”

“I want to thank Chairman Foye for his leadership during this critical time,” said Rep. King. “It is imperative that Congress ensures the sustainability of New York’s transit system so that residents can return to their jobs, schools and way of life.”

“As we cautiously reopen the Eastern Seaboard, bringing mass transit back to speed is going to be an essential but complicated element,” said Rep. Himes. “The rail system is an irreplaceable artery in Southwest Connecticut, which is why we’re going to listen to experts like Chairman Foye and the Centers for Disease Control to ensure we adopt a safe and fact-based approach.”

“I want to thank Chairman Foye for speaking with us about the challenges facing our transit system during this pandemic,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “Our transit workers have been on the frontlines of COVID-19, and we must ensure that every worker has the resources they need to stay safe on the job.”

The Regional Recovery Task Force highlighted key opportunities for congressional action:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can establish guidelines for the amount of social distancing required on mass transit;
• Congress can also support research and development of new technologies specifically for mass transit systems that aid social distancing and infection control;
• Congress can provide additional aid to support mass transit so they can continue this vital service despite steep decreases in revenue.

Representatives Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Pete King (R-NY) formed the Regional Recovery Task Force with Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Jim Himes (D-CT), Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), Dan Meuser (R-PA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ). The task force is working with leading experts across key fields to put forth bipartisan recommendations and policy proposals for near- and medium-term efforts to get Americans back to work, and address critical questions facing the United States in the coming weeks and months, particularly in the Northeast.

Click here to download “The Regional Recovery Task Force’s” third report.

MORRIS COUNTY — New Jerseyans enrolled in the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be able to use their benefits to order groceries online starting next week.  Online shopping will be available through Amazon and participating Walmarts, ShopRites and The Fresh Grocers.

NJ SNAP recipients will be able to use their benefits card to order groceries from Amazon starting on May 27. Walmarts, ShopRites and The Fresh Grocers that that provide online shopping will also accept online ordering with SNAP benefits starting on May 28.

“Online grocery shopping is another important step in our efforts to get affordable groceries to New Jerseyans during this public health emergency,” Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson said. “Having the option to order groceries online is more important than ever, as we all work together to stay-at-home as much as possible.  We hope that the launch of SNAP online grocery shopping promotes equity by providing participants access to a convenient tool that many New Jerseyans are already using to comply with the stay-at-home order.”

NJ SNAP currently serves about 700,000 New Jerseyans in 356,000 households, with the monthly SNAP benefit based on household size and income.

Recipients will be able to use their Families First Electronic Benefits Transfer card to purchase eligible groceries from the participating retailers. Under federal rules, SNAP benefits cannot be used to pay for delivery fees.

To learn more, recipients can visit Amazon.com/SNAP to register their EBT card. Visit here to learn about Walmart’s SNAP online program.  Any Walmart, ShopRite or The Fresh Grocer that currently provides online shopping will also accept online ordering with SNAP benefits.

New Jersey received federal approval for online SNAP grocery shopping from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In addition to online SNAP grocery ordering, Human Services has taken the following steps to help New Jerseyans access affordable food during the emergency:

• Distributed an extra $106 million in additional benefits to SNAP recipients since the start of the emergency.
• Ensured that everyone whose benefits were up for renewal in March and April, or are due in May or June were extended for six months, meaning that nobody’s SNAP benefits will be ended during these extensions for not completing the renewal.
• Made it easier to apply for SNAP during this emergency by waiving the normally required interview and the hard copy signature on applications, so as to reduce the need for face-to-face interactions.
• Updated our online system to make it easier for SNAP applicants to track their application.
• Received federal approval to provide about 600,000 children who normally receive free or reduced-price school meals $416.10 each to help with nutritional support during the time that schools have been closed during the pandemic.  Benefits will be delivered in June.

“For those New Jersey families who may have difficulty getting to the grocery store – and that may be for a variety of different reasons — using SNAP benefits online can make the basics of feeding yourself or your family a little less complicated,” said Human Services Assistant Commissioner Natasha Johnson, who directs the Division of Family Development that oversees NJ SNAP. “We continue to urge residents to visit njhelps.org to learn more and apply for food assistance and other benefits.”