PARSIPPANY — Meeting of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Adjustment will be held on Wednesday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Click here to download the agenda.

Board of Adjustment members are:

PARSIPPANY — Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board will hold a meeting on Monday, October 19 starting at 7:30 p.m.

Click here to download the agenda.

The members are:

• John Von Achen, Chairman
• Tom Dinsmore, Vice-Chairman
• Councilman Michael dePierro
• Bruce Frigeri
• Jennifer Vealey
• Vincent Aperawic
• Judy Hernandez
• Steve Mandel
• Dominic Mele
• Jayesh Kumar Patel
• Judy Hernandez

• Scott Carlson, Carlson Siedsma, Board Attorney
• Andrew Cangiano, Keller and Kirkpatrick, Board Engineer
• Susan Favate, BFJ Planning, Board Planner
• Nora O. Jolie, Board Secretary

MORRIS COUNTY —  Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 190, extending a moratorium preventing New Jersey residents from having their utilities disconnected through at least March 15, 2021. The moratorium applies to all residential gas, electric, and water utilities, both public and private. Further, the utilities will not be charging late fees nor fees to reconnect services that have been disconnected. The Order also requires that all residential services that were disconnected after social distancing measures went into effect on March 16 be reconnected. The Governor and legislative leadership further announced that $15 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund will be allocated to assisting low-income households in paying off utility arrearages.

“New Jerseyans are hurting and many of our fellow state residents, who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic need help,” said Governor Murphy. “Extending the utility moratorium is the right thing to do as so many in our state struggle to pay their bills during one of the most devastating economic crises in the history of our country. As we enter the winter months it becomes even more imperative that we work with our state’s utilities keep the lights on and families warm.”

“Thank you to the Governor and to the utilities for taking an important step today to protect New Jersey residents who are facing dire financial circumstances and are unable to pay their utility bills,” said Board of Public Utilities President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “Now, nobody will fear losing service during the winter months. Please know as well that assistance and deferred payment programs are available to prevent bills from piling up over time. Help is here for those who need it.”

In addition to extending the Internet disconnection moratorium to November 15, cable and telecommunications providers are prohibited from disconnecting Internet service in households that have one or more school-age children that may be using such service for educational purposes. Also, if a household experiences a change of circumstances where school-age children will be using their home Internet service for school, the cable and telecommunications company will be required to reconnect that Internet service.

After November 15, cable and telecommunications providers are required to enroll customers with an already existing account in an interest-free payment plan of at least 12 equal monthly installments, including the balance already due, prior to disconnecting the customer’s service.

Although the moratorium is being extended, utility customers are still encouraged to set up payment plans with their utilities so they can begin paying their bills, if they are able, over a period of time. Utility customers are also urged to apply for the assistance programs that are available at both the Board of Public Utilities and the Department of Community Affairs and from their utilities.

Additionally, the Governor partnered with legislative leadership to set aside $15 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund so that the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) can reduce utility arrearages. DCA will use a portion of the funds to address arrearages among low-income households who are current Universal Service Fund (USF) participants. USF serves low-income families (Income below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level) who need assistance with electric and natural gas bills.

“Protecting the most vulnerable households in our state during this pandemic is a priority,” continued Governor Murphy. “I am proud to announce that in partnering with Senate President Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Coughlin, as well as legislative leadership, we have allocated $15 million in CRF funding to reduce utility arrearages for low-income households in New Jersey.”

“We insisted that this funding be included in the budget because we won’t allow for utility shut-offs that would deny New Jersey residents vital electric, heat, and water services,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney. “A sudden loss of power and utilities would create disruptive and even dangerous conditions for families, individuals, and small businesses who are enduring more than enough financial hardship caused by the pandemic. The economic consequences of the Covid crisis are having a severe impact on their ability to afford utility bills. The extended moratorium is especially important for families with children who need power supplies to participate in remote learning at home. Utilities are a necessity that should not be lost to those in need.”

“Throughout the budget process, one of our major priorities was to provide money to help families who have been hit hard by the pandemic and fallen behind on their utility payments,” said Senate President Pro Tempore M. Teresa Ruiz. “We were able to include $15 million to reduce what is owed and help individuals around the state become current on their gas, electric, and water bills. By extending the shut-off moratorium and funding forgiveness programs we can offer a comprehensive approach to ensure residents are not left in the dark, as they work towards greater financial stability.”

“As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, too many of our neighbors are struggling with the negative financial impact caused by the coronavirus,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin. “Helping those in need pay their utility bills doesn’t just keep the lights on, it will mean many residents will not have to choose between paying their gas and electric bills or putting a nutritious meal on the table. I thank the Governor and Senate President for their partnership in this initiative.”

For a copy of Executive Order No. 190, please click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — County College of Morris (CCM) invites the public to participate in a spooky, thrill-filled virtual scavenger hunt. Space is limited for the Virtual Haunted House Halloween Scavenger Hunt that takes place on Wednesday, October 28, at 7:30 p.m.

Reserve a spot, gather a team and the family together to explore the many spooktacular places by emailing [email protected]. An email with the ZOOM link will be sent on the evening of the terrifying event.

During the scavenger hunt, participants will visit Philadelphia’s creepy Eastern Penitentiary, discover the New York City home of Mark Twain, check into the Hollywood Hotel where celebrity ghosts haven’t checked out. Participants will also learn the chilling fate of Giles Corey at the Salem Witch Trial Memorial and sneak into the White House in search of the presidents whose ghosts have been spotted there. Beware of what’s around the corner!

To learn more about events offered at CCM both virtually and on campus click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling is continuing the series of virtual “Surrogate’s Sessions” she launched last month, with the second session entitled, “What should an Executor Know.” The “Surrogate’s Session” is scheduled for Friday, October 23 at 12:00 Noon.

Anyone interested in joining must please register for the session by clicking here.

Each participant will receive confirmation and access to information.

The “Surrogate Sessions” are an education campaign designed to provide Morris County residents with information on pertinent topics related to wills, estates, trusts, and probate matters. They will also detail improvements in Surrogate’s Office procedures that are making it easier for clients to navigate the process.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Surrogate Darling began an education campaign that featured speaking engagements across Morris County. The goal was to ensure that county residents, especially senior citizens, special needs residents, and their families are aware of what the Surrogate’s Court does and how it can be a resource for them. “I was extremely pleased with the public participation during the first Surrogate’s Session,” said Surrogate Darling. “It was clear that these important topics of discussion are important to Morris County citizens.” The first session on drafting a will is available on the Surrogate’s website. “The second session goes deeper into this particular portion of wills, trusts, and estates and helps interested parties understand the responsibilities of an Executor and also the advantages and drawbacks of this important role in probate,” the Surrogate explained.

Surrogate Darling has invited Tom Torzewski, a well-known estate planning attorney, to join her on the panel.

PARSIPPANY — Traditional Halloween celebrations often involve crowds, close contact between individuals, and activities in closed spaces. It is important to plan early and identify safer alternatives for celebrating the fall season. Outdoor activities, as opposed to indoor parties and events, are recommended. Those planning celebrations or participating in Halloween activities should keep in mind public health recommendations of social and physical distancing, wearing masks that cover the nose and mouth, and hand hygiene. Costume masks are not an acceptable substitute for cloth or disposable masks. Individuals should minimize interaction and contact with others who are not a part of their household.

As a reminder, no one should participate in these activities if they or a household member have a known exposure to COVID-19, are sick/symptomatic, or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and have not yet met the criteria for discontinuing isolation.

This year, as New Jersey continues to respond to ongoing transmission of COVID-19 in our communities, recommendations for adapting traditional celebrations and considerations for ways to celebrate Halloween safely are listed below. Some communities may choose to cancel Halloween activities, so check with local sources before making plans.

• Outdoor Door to Door Trick or Treating
  • Those who plan to trick-or-treat should limit their groups to current household members, consider staying local and limit the number of houses on their route. Social distancing should be practiced between all who are not in the same household.
  • For those putting out treats:
    • Good option: Limit interaction or contact with trick-or-treaters wear a mask when individuals come to the door and regularly wash hands.
    • Better option: Leave a treat bowl on a porch or table or in a place where it may be easily accessed while adhering to social distancing requirements.
    • Best option: Arrange individually packaged candy so that trick or treaters can grab and go without accessing a shared bowl.
  • Consider coordinating with neighbors to develop a system, such as signs or on/off porch lights, for distinguishing houses participating in trick-or-treating from those that do not wish to participate.
  • Wear a face mask to mitigate against COVID-19 exposure. Costume masks are not an acceptable substitute but can be supplemented with a cloth or disposable mask. Children under two should not wear a cloth mask.
  • Candy should be commercially packaged and non-perishable. Consider individual non-food “treats” to avoid the sharing of food.
  • Practice hand hygiene (wash hands or use hand sanitizer) before leaving your home, after touching objects such as wrapped candy, and when arriving home.
• Outdoor Trunk or Treating (when children go car to car instead of house to house)
  • Limit the number of participating cars to ensure adequate space for social distancing and minimize crowds. Ensure the outdoor area has sufficient space per car to avoid overcrowding and to allow adequate space for social distancing.
  • Follow the outdoor gatherings limitations in effect at the time.
  • Design event in a long line, rather than a circle to ensure social and physical distancing to discourage crowding.
  • Consider having assigned times or multiple shifts to minimize crowding during the event.
  • Wear a face mask. Costume masks are not an acceptable substitute but can be supplemented with a cloth or disposable mask. Children under two should not wear a cloth mask.
  • Candy should be commercially packaged and non-perishable.
  • Practice hand hygiene before the event, after touching objects such as wrapped candy, and after the event.
• Halloween Parties
  • Avoid large indoor or outdoor parties, which would be subject to the limitations currently in effect on indoor and outdoor gatherings.
  • Keep up to date with the most current restrictions on outdoor and indoor gatherings.
  • Avoid participation in activities that require close contact and/or shared items such as bobbing for apples
• Haunted houses, hayrides, and corn mazes
  • Wear a cloth or disposable mask while participating in these activities. As noted above, a costume mask does not suffice.
  • Indoor haunted houses should be avoided because of the possibility of the congregation and screaming in close quarters. If hosting a haunted house, ensure visitors maintain an appropriate distance by staggering start times and limiting occupancy. A better option would be to host an outdoor haunted house without live performers.
  • Hayrides should limit the number of passengers per ride and keep openings to the same party. Any shared materials should be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
  • Corn mazes should only permit individuals to proceed in one direction, should limit occupancy according to the applicable restrictions in effect at the time, and should avoid the use of shared materials.
  • Entities hosting these events are encouraged to take reservations and/or sell tickets in advance.
• 5. Examples of socially distant Halloween activities that would require minimal or no additional health and safety protocols include:
  • Virtual activities such as online costume parties.
  • Drive through events where individuals remain in their vehicles and drive through an area/neighborhood with Halloween displays.
  • Carving pumpkins with family.
  • Dressing up homes and yards with Halloween themed decorations.
  • Halloween themed movie nights with family