PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Police Department Communications Center received a 911 call at 6:42 p.m. from Hoovers Tavern reporting some type of a large fire they could see through the woods on Powder Mill Road.
The occupants lost everythingThe remains of the house fire on Christmas Night
Mount Tabor Fire Department, Par-Troy EMS and officers began responding to the area.
At 6:44 p.m. a second 911 caller reported the rear of 29 Southwood Drive was on fire and was not aware if any occupants were inside the residence.
Multiple officers, along with Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire Department District 1, Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 6, Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department District 3, Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire Department District 4, Boonton Fire Department RIT, Cedar Knolls Fire Department RIT, Parsippany Rescue and Recovery, Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad and Par-Troy EMS responded to the scene.
Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Department District 2 was used for coverage if any further assistance or emergency calls were received.
The remains of 29 Southwood Drive
Mayor-elect Michael Soriano confirmed that there were no occupants inside the structure. “They are safe,” Soriano said. “They were not inside. We were very worried, and very happy when we saw them.” He said they will be staying with relatives.
Tax records list the owners of the home, at 29 Southwood Drive, as Roger Anderson, 82, and Geneva Anderson, 77. They were the only people living at that address, according to Soriano.
While attempting to extinguish the fire, it was determined by on scene fire personnel that the structure was collapsing and was unsafe to enter.
A construction company was contacted and the house was demolished.
The fire was brought under control and extinguished and all personnel departed the scene by Tuesday, December 26 at 1:20 a.m.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Fire Investigator Detective M. Czajka and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office CID unit responded to the scene to process the scene and investigate the cause of the fire.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department 6 Chief Scott Serrecchia on the scene.
One firefighter was transported to Saint Clares Hospital by Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad after falling on some ice and injuring his leg.
The occupants are currently staying with family. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
Back to business on December 27, 2017 4:30 PM: Council President Louie Valori called for a special meeting regarding the Hold-over status of Township Attorney John Inglesino.
On November 7, 2017, the voters of Parsippany voted out Mayor Barbiero because of Township Attorney John Inglesino. I have stated in previous letter to the editor, just watch September 12, 2017 council meeting tape.
Open question, (I think I know the answer): How did Mayor Barbiero and John Inglesino comprise Louie Valori?
Parsippany Lifereporter, Cindy Forrester, covered on December 28, 2008 7:30PM a special meeting where basically the town council for political reasons rip-off the taxpayers for $750,000 joining Morris County Joint Insurance Fund in lieu of being insured by Fortune 500 Company. Mr. Michael dePierro was also on the council at that time.
Now, this meeting, John Inglesino is not only trying to keep his $800,000 per year fee (which can not be replaced easily) his firm will be billing the town for this resolution, it’s absurd!
I am not a fan of Govern-Elect, but the first matter his Attorney General should address is corruption, mismanagement, and self serving politics in Parsippany
Residents get to the meeting tomorrow, December 27, at 4:30 p.m.
If only U.S. Attorney William Fitzpatrick sent an operative because Chris Christie can not protect Inglesino anymore and President Trump knows better.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Roxbury Police Chief Marc Palanchi announce that Cameron Muir, 23, Stanhope, was found guilty of two counts of Sexual Assault, crimes of the second degree, and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, crimes of the third degree, after a jury trial before the Honorable Sohail Mohammed, J.S.C. (Passaic Vicinage).
On March 25, 2012, the then five year-old female victim disclosed to a family member that the Defendant had sexually assaulted her on two occasions. The first act occurred when the victim was four years-old and the Defendant was 17 years-old. The second act occurred when the victim was five years-old and the Defendant was 18 years old. Mr. Muir was babysitting the victim at the time of the acts in question.
On the afternoon of December 21, 2017, the jury returned a verdict in this matter. In addition to the verdict of guilty on the charges of Sexual Assault and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, the jury acquitted the Defendant of charges of first degree Aggravated Sexual Assault. Defendant was remanded to the Passaic County Jail and is expected to be sentenced on April 25, 2018.
Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Meg Rodriguez and Assistant Prosecutor Alyssa DiSturco represented the State in these proceedings.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Roxbury Police Department, specifically, Lieutenant Dean Adone, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, specifically, Sergeant Marshall Wang, for their efforts in this matter.
Parsippany has a mayor–council system under the Faulkner Act. The MAYOR presides over Council. Exercises the executive power of municipality. Votes only to break ties. Has veto subject to override by 2/3 of all Council members. Appoints administration, attorney, tax collector, tax assessor, treasurer, and department heads with Council approval. May remove department heads upon written notice to Council.
In the recent past a council-vote was taken in which town attorney John Inglesino was voted not to continue as township attorney due to conflicts of interest with Councilman Paul Carifi and other matters concerning his association with corporate developers. At this time the council voted Inglesino out. Mayor Barberio then through his “executive privilege” informed the council after the vote, that Inglesino would be staying. The council then asked; why was a vote allowed in the first place?
How now can council members Valori, dePierro and Gragnani attempt to pass a similar resolution before the new executive takes office, at the same time disenfranchising a fellow council-member?
How can council president Valori have more power than the newly elected mayor or any mayor in that the power of appointment is the mayors alone; pending council approval? Valori is being the cart before the horse, most likely a tactic under the guiding light of Inglesino.
Mr. Inglesino tactics to stay in power under Barberio’s administration as our real mayor has disrupted our mayor-council system of governance; using public funds to stifle his rival through lawsuits paid for by Parsippany taxpayers. The real conflict of interest is Inglesino’s promotion of himself while he improperly advocates for candidates favoring him and his law firm’s interest; of real estate developers power over the people of Parsippany and manipulation of our master plan. Development that ignores environmental resources and best practices in land use to profit corporate developers who sue Parsippany when they can’t get their way, which also benefits his law firm, the same law firm that surrenders Parsippany’s quality of life while Parsippany pays to lose, in the favor of those developers.
Is this the smooth transition promised by Mayor Barberio? This reminds one of the promises made after the Waterview No Vote and the promise of open space for that fought over environmental constrained and valuable landscape. No doubt the tactics of how to make and break this promise occurred under the guiding light of Inglesino’s law firm, which Barberio, dePierro and Gragnani blindly follow.
Elected officials duty is to the electorate, however it seems what we have officials whom have placed themselves above the town, in the interest of outside corporate developers, whom are about to continue to use Parsippany for their schemes to accomplish their goals of continued sprawl and speculation development where the rights of property over the right to a future of sustainability, health, safety and welfare are ignored.
During the Waterview episode councilman Valori used the term “corruption” in reference to the Barberio/Inglesino administration and the tactics of the planning board. What happened to change the mind of this official; as to siding now with the very elements of those improper means?
PARSIPPANY — Central Jersey Cat Fanciers will be having its sixteenth Annual cat show at the Sheraton Parsippany, 199 Smith Road, on January 5 to January 7.
Show hours will be 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Price for admission is $10.00 adults, $7.00 seniors, $7.00 children (4-12) and children under four for free.
An expected 200 cats will be present and competing at this show. Judging will take place in seven different rings each day.
This will be an opportunity to see many different breeds of cats including Bengals, Sphynx, Maine Coons, Siamese, Oriental Shorthairs, Ragdolls, Munchkins, Persians, Toygers, Savannahs, Siberians, and many more breeds.
There is also a special category for household pets and kittens, which need not be purebreds. Final awards will be presented in each category. People will be bringing their cats to compete from all over the country as well as several people from outside the United States. We will be having feline health presentations around noon on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to the cats and kittens, there will be many vendors selling gift items for you and your pet, scratching posts, magazines, jewelry, toys as well as unusual items.
There will also be food available at the hotel. We have invited a rescue group, Angel Paws, to attend the show. They will be bringing homeless pets for adoption. The telephone number for information about the show is (570) 807-0406. You can also send email requests to nycsa@aol.com.
You can obtain detailed directions to the Sheraton by calling (973) 515-2000.
MOUNTAIN LAKES — The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is happy to announce the success of their annual GIVE A KID THE Y campaign. More than $220,000 was raised for financial aid scholarships that provide funds for membership, childcare, camp and more to those experiencing financial hardship. Adding a thank-you banner to the campaign thermometer, shown here, staff and board wish to thank everyone who supported this year’s campaign
DENVILLE — Morris County School of Technology’s learning center, located in Denville, will be accepting applications for the Fall 2018 preschool program.
The Learning Center is an on-site preschool program taught by students in the Academy for Education and Learning and supervised by two certified teachers. Lesson plans are developed using the New Jersey Department of Education’s Preschool Teaching and Learning Standards and address a plethora of topics, which infuse mathematics, literacy, language, social studies, and science concepts. Fine and gross motor skills are developed through a variety of daily activities.
The program runs Mondays through Thursdays for two sessions each day from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. School is in session from the end of September to the middle of June.
Children must be three years old by October 1, 2018 and residents of Morris County. Enrollment is on a first come, first served basis. Tuition for the year is $1400, which is broken into four equal payments. The first ¼ payment is non-refundable and due at the time of enrollment to secure a spot.
For more information on how to enroll a child in The Learning Center click here and visit under the Programs tab (The Learning Center).
PARSIPPANY — Fireman from Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 2 accompanied Santa to St. Elizabeth Nursery and Montessori School on December 22.
Every year the Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 2 firefighters bring Santa to St. Elizabeth and the children perform songs and dance for Santa and the firefighters.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 2 firefighters and Santa at St. Elizabeth Nursery and Montessori SchoolParsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 2 firefighters gives out candy canes to the children as the children tell Santa what they want for Christmas
PARSIPPANY — Santa was giving out candy canes and children had the opportunity to tell Santa what they would like for Christmas on Christmas Eve at IHOP, 792 Route 46.
IHOP employee Nick Lopez telling Santa what he wants for Christmas.Nico and Ciava Prestifilippo talking to SantaIHOP customer Al Goldberg, Manuela Serna with SantaGeneral Manager Edgar Ortega, Santa and Manager Jonathan Lemus
PARSIPPANY — A Christmas eve tradition, Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Department District 2 tours the neighborhoods of Parsippany and hands out toys to the children before he starts his nightly tour across America.
The Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Department District 2 serves fire protection to the Rainbow Lakes, Interpace Commercial Zone, Lower End of Park Road and the Parsippany Hills High School Area.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 6, Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department District 3, Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Department District 2, Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire Department District 1 and Cedar Knolls Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) were called to a working house fire at 29 Southwood Drive on Monday evening, December 25.
Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire Department District 4 Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) team was also dispatched as well as Parsippany Rescue and Recovery.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department Arson Officer, Morris County Prosecutors Office, Morris County Sheriff Department is currently investigating the scene.
In addition Rockaway Neck Volunteer Fire Department, Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad and Par-Troy Emergency Medical Services were also at the scene.
Mayor-elect Michael Soriano was at the scene and speaking to the residents of the home, and they are safe and were not home at the time of the fire. He said they will be staying with relatives.
Additional details to follow.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department 6 Chief Scott Serrecchia on the scene
PARSIPPANY — The Par-Troy Wrestling Club is a township program for kids K-8 to learn the sport of wrestling. The program is a direct feeder program for both Parsippany Hills and Parsippany High wrestling teams. They have close to 100 children in the program currently and compete in various leagues across northern New Jersey. This past weekend, they held our annual Holiday tournament at the Parsippany PAL building.
The Par-Troy Wrestling Club held two separate tournaments, one a K-6th grade duals and the other a K-8th grade duals tournament.
The K-6 team went 4-0 on the day and took home first place for the first time in over four years. The children competed extremely tough and made Parsippany proud!
The K-8 team wrestled well in the afternoon session and looks to compete for a year end title in the Grade School league. The team competes though the winter season culminating with the state tournament!
Wrestling is the world’s oldest sport and a great way for kids to learn self-motivation, hard work, exercise, and most of all have fun and make new friends from all over this great town.
If you are interested in learning more about the program, would like to register, donate, etc. click here , or contact Head Coach Albert Fornini atAlbert.Fornini@wyn.com.
During the months just prior to their re-election or election to office, dePierro, Gragnani and Valori will attend every event that they can and pretend to listen to the people who speak with them. Then when they are elected to office, they turn their heads to the people who voted for them and don’t even have the time to talk to them when seen out in public during non-election times.
To make matters worse, when they are acting in their official capacity as Council people they limit the amount of time Parsippany residents can speak during the open public portion at Council meetings. It used to be 5 minutes and now because of DePierro, Gragnani and Valori, Parsippany residents can only speak for 3 minutes.
I hope that the Parsippany residents will remember that DePierro, Gragnani and Valori don’t have time to hear or listen to what Parsippany residents have to say when it comes time to vote during the next election.
With that said, I would encourage every resident who cares about Parsippany to contact these elected members and voice their concerns.
They have no problem talking to the residents when they are running for office. So, why would now be any different.
All of this information about these elected people is available online.
Varshaben Patel Parsippany
Editors Note: We updated this letter to delete the organization. The writer is a member, but the letter was written as an individual and not as a representative of the organization.
PARSIPPANY — Ylka Padilla was named Business Development Advocate of the Year by The Morris County Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce and its annual Awards Holiday Banque on December 13.
Ylka studied Accounting at Pedo Henriquez Urena University in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She presently is Vice-President, Market Manager at Provident Bank where she has worked for 22 years managing the Morris Plains and Parsippany branches.
She previously worked for Baco de Reservas, Dominican Republic for four years, following her immigration to USA at the age of twenty, she started working for Dover NJ Spanish American Federal Credit Union. As a bilingual banker she has helped the Hispanic community achieve the American Dream through guidance and education. She takes pride and honors where she works with this great community and provide advice on how to grow their business.
Mrs. Padilla volunteers for several non-profit organizations such as Housing Partnership for Morris County as a trustee, Parsippany Soccer Club as a soccer coach for several seasons, Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey, where she has provided financial education for several troops. She is also a member of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Rotary Club. She resides in Lake Parsippany with her husband and children.
Morris County Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce is the embodiment of an idea that arose in the summer of 1989. Little did the founding members realize what the future and importance of this Chamber would become, not only to the Hispanic-owned small business community, but to all of Morris County and New Jersey.
Two of the three founding members remain active in our Chamber; they are former Chamber Presidents Esperanza Porras-Field and John Sanchez. Neyla Porras de Moreno, the third founding member, moved away from Morris County, but still remains active in another Hispanic Chamber.
MCHACC has grown from an idea to a local, county, state, national and internationally renowned Chamber. At the past National USHCC Convention, we signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Toronto Hispanic Chamber of Commerce that provides for mutual membership in each others respective Chamber.
Council President Louis Valori introduced Resolution No. 2017:187 at the final regular Council meeting held on Tuesday, December 19 to thwart the will of the people who voted him out of office (and the Mayor too).
The People of Parsippany voted for new leadership and to rid the town of the Township Attorney John Inglesino who was appointed by Mayor James Barberio.This move to prevent the new Mayor from starting with a clean slate is an attempt by the losers of the election to handicap the new administration.
John Inglesino is a partisan who will do anything to undercut the new Mayor and the will of the People.As Town Attorney he is an employee, yet at Town Council meetings he berates residents who speak up against motions or actions he is in fovor of and benefits from.No employee should be allowed to verbally attack any resident for speaking their mind.Anyone who attends Council meetings knows that he speaks more than anyone on the Council with the exception of Lou Valori.His actions make it clear he cannot serve on the council or the people in Parsippany.He interests are his paycheck and undercutting the will of the People of Parsippany.
The resolution was approved 3-0 with two members abstaining. Council President Louis Valori, Councilman Michael dePierro and Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani voted to approve the resolution, while Council Vice President Robert Peluso and Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr., abstained.
The People of Parsippany removed the Mayor and Council President and John Inglesino was one of the primary reasons they had to go.This attempt by the Council to leave in place an employee who has put his agenda ahead of the People of Parsippany is an affront.Councilman Michael dePierro and Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani need to be replaced for putting Party before the People.I will remember this at the next election and I hope others do as well.
PARSIPPANY — The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany conducted a clothing drive for Jersey Battered Women’s Service (JBWS). Karen DeChristopher, Co-Director Young Children Priority One chaired the efforts of the committee seeking donations of children’s socks, pajamas, underwear and winter hats for ages three to sixteen, both male and female.
IHOP, 792 Route 46, Arlington Shopping Center, and Boiling Springs Savings Bank, 66 North Beverwyck Road were major drop-off locations to bring the items. In addition, the Sons of Italy donated gift cards to help purchase some of the items needed; The Township of Parsippany employees also collected and donated items.
First Baptist Community Church, 800 Vail Road and Parsippany Hills High School Key Club members also participated and collected the needed items. Littleton School K-Kids collected over 100 books to be donated to the children.
Karen DeChristopher said “It’s great when so many people care and donate to a great organization. We received more items than we ever expected. I want to thank everyone involved in helping Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany making a difference in our community.”
Domestic violence or abuse is when one person controls or coerces the other in an intimate relationship. It is about power and control. Abusers choose to use physical violence or emotional battering to express anger and gain control. They are not provoked to use violence; they alone are responsible for their inappropriate and unacceptable behavior. Domestic violence is a crime and can result in the abuser being removed or restrained from the home and/or jailed.
Jersey Battered Women’s Service in Morris County is a full-service domestic violence and domestic abuse prevention agency with volunteer opportunities. The services include a 24-hour hotline; counseling; safe house; transitional living; children’s services; life skills education; vocational counseling; batterers’ intervention; legal assistance; teen dating violence services; and professional training, education and youth prevention programs.
In 1976, a small group of women in Morris County began a helpline to aid victims of domestic violence. When two of these callers were murdered by their husbands, the need for a confidential shelter became urgent.
From its grass-roots beginnings, Jersey Battered Women’s Service opened its shelter doors to the community in late December 1978. Now, JBWS is a full-service, private, nonprofit domestic violence agency.
The mission of JBWS is the prevention of domestic violence through the protection and empowerment of the victim, the rehabilitation of family members, the advocacy of social reform to prevent partner violence, and the education of the public about domestic violence and its consequences.
Their vision is to create a community-wide culture that refuses to tolerate the presence of any form of family or partner violence.
Jersey Battered Women’s Service Administrative number is (973) 267-7520 or contact their 24-Hour Helpline at (973) 267-4763.
Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time. Our members, Kiwanians, are service-minded men and women who are united in their commitment and compassion for others.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany raises funds and donates to the Parsippany Food Pantry, Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library, Parsippany PAL Youth Center, Parsippany High School Scholarship Program, Parsippany Hills High School Scholarship Program, Parsippany Child Day Center, Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey, Camp Nejeda, NJ Sharing Network, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Parsippany, Parsippany Project Graduation, Jersey Battered Women’s Services, Family Promise of Morris County, Parsippany Little League West, Parsippany Little League East to name a few.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets Thursday mornings at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46. We are always looking for new volunteers. Join us for breakfast and find out about our organization. For more information, click here.
Pajama Driver for JBWS
1 of 4
Littleton K-Kids collected over 100 books to be donated to the children
PHHS Key Club Pajama Drive: Andrea Potesta, Juliana Urbis, Karoline Xiong, Vishal Mansuria
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Foundation President, Greg Elbin, Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill, Anna Nase, Dating Abuse Prevention Program Manager at Jersey Battered Women's Services, Karen DeChristopher and Carole Tiesi.
The pajamas, socks, underwear, hats and items being assembled
PARSIPPANY — On Christmas Eve, Sunday, December 24, Santa Claus and his helpers will visit 32 locations in Parsippany Fire District Two. Santa will start his rounds at 5:30 p.m. and end approximately 8:35 p.m. at which time he will meet with his reindeers and start delivering toys to all the boys and girls around the world.
Santa invites young and old to visit with him, children in particular, as he will have a gift for those up to and including age seven and Christmas candy for those a bit older.
Santa and the elves of the Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company look forward to seeing you on Christmas Eve.
Click here to find out when Santa will be in your neighborhood.
PARSIPPANY — Lake Hiawatha resident John Bidwell published a book last June.
He is a long time resident of Lake Hiawatha, and a former member of the Lake Hiawatha Fire Department. He grew up with the Lake Hiawatha Library, and enjoyed the Parsippany School system.
The book, Fusheeswa, is available on Amazon.com, by clicking here.
It also can be ordered through Barnes and Noble, by clicking here.
The 210-page book is a paranormal romance, so great for the holidays or for Valentine’s Day coming up.
John Dreamer is a cancer survivor who has outlasted most with his condition. He knows this is due to a remarkable nurse who loves him as a son–so much that she is willing to risk everything in experimenting with his chemotherapy. What they find together is that her medicines spark supernatural dreams in John. With the help of his nurse, John discovers that he can bring other people into his dream state and walk through their memories with more clarity than one could imagine and find what people need to learn in order to repair their own broken dreams. But John has a dream of his own that will define the rest of his life, however long that may be. He dreams of a soul mate desperate for him to find her. How does one find the mate of his dreams? John finds the task impossible, but slowly clues emerge in connections he finds between his soul mate and his nurse, and even a dream repair case he is working on. But all this will take time, the one thing it appears he does not have.As his soul mate tells him in a dream, if he is to learn where dreams can take him and where they can’t, he must “have some faith.”
PARSIPPANY — Dr. Julie Scarano was inducted into Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany. Pictured with Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill and Secretary Karen Gajewski, Dr. Julie Scarano, accepts her membership credentials.
A native of Little Falls, New York, Dr. Scarano joined Santiago Chiropractic Associates in December 2009 following a month long externship at the facility and her graduation from New York Chiropractic College (NYCC).
Prior to her chiropractic education, Dr. Scarano was a two-sport athlete (tennis and softball) at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BA in Biology. Following her doctorate degree, she completed the requirements of the International Chiropractic Association’s Council on Wellness Science to obtain credentialing as a Certified Chiropractic Wellness Practitioner. This certification allows Dr. Scarano to specialize in chiropractic wellness, active care, offer nutritional guidance and lifestyle counseling.
Frank Cahill said “We welcome Dr. Scarano to this global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.”
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets every Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46. For more information on Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany click here.
PARSIPPANY — In a last minute attempt to save Township Attorney John Inglesino from being replaced by the new Administration at the annual reorganization meeting, Council President Louis Valori introduced Resolution No. 2017:187 at the final regular Council meeting held on Tuesday, December 19.
The resolution was approved 3-0 with two members abstaining. Council President Louis Valori, Councilman Michael dePierro and Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani voted to approve the resolution, while Council Vice President Robert Peluso and Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr., abstained.
The resolution appoints Todd M. Galante, Esq. and Piro, Zinna, Cifelli, Paris and Genitempo, LLC, (PiroZinna Firm) as special legal counsel for purposes of advising the Township Council on potential conflicts involving Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr. voting on the appointment of Township Attorney.
It is expected that Mayor-Elect Michael Soriano will nominate a new plenary Township Attorney, as well as Special Township Counsel at the Township Council’s reorganization meeting on January 1, 2018.
Democrat Mayor-elect Michael Soriano campaign promise is to replace current Township Attorney John Inglesino. Soriano has not announced who he will be nominating for Township Attorney.
Township Attorney John Inglesino
Township Attorney John Inglesino was appointed by Mayor James Barberio. During the eight years as Township Attorney, many of the years he was a “hold over” because not all Council members, including Council President Louis Valori, voted for reappointment of Inglesino.
The resolution states “the purpose of the Township Council retaining Mr. Galante and the PiroZinna Firm is to examine and opine on a potential conflict of interest involving Councilman Carifi, that may arise should Councilman Carifi vote on the Nominated Township Attorney or Special Counsel and Mr. Galante and PiroZinna shall prepare and deliver a legal opinion regarding potential conflict of interest as well as any other related issue pertaining thereto, to the Township Council in writing prior to the reorganization meeting scheduled for January 1, 2017. (Editors note: Although the resolution calls for a reorganization meeting on January 1, 2017, the actual reorganization will be held on January 2, 2018).
In addition the resolution states “Mr. Galante and the PiroZinna Firm shall and are hereby further authorized, by this Resolution, to take such other and further action they deem appropriate to prepare certain pleadings, legal papers and legal proceedings, including, but not limited to, an Order to Show Cause, to obtain declaratory judgment and whatever appropriate action and/or other relief as may be appropriate to enforce the purpose and directives of this Resolution, and shall file the same with the Clerk of the Superior Court of New Jersey should Councilman Carifi vote on the appointment of the Nominated Township Attorney or Special Counsel, and otherwise fully prosecute a definitive adjudication on said conflict of interest issue (as well as any other related issues or matters arising or related thereto) even if such full adjudication requires appeals.”
If they are successful in attempting to block Carifi, most likely the vote will be split 2-2 (Republicans dePierro and Gragnani voting against the new appointment, while new Council Democrat Candidates McCarthy and Peterson will vote for the new appointment) and Inglesino could become a hold-over.
Councilman Paul Carifi said “Just another attempt by Barberio to help his buddy Inglesino to continue to charge the residents of Parsippany outrages legal fees. Wasn’t this one of the reasons the residents of Parsippany overwhelmingly voted to get rid of Barberio and Inglesino. I wonder if Barberio, Inglesino and Valori had another Sunday night meeting to come up with this one.“
Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr.
The resolution also states “Councilman Carifi’s position on the Township Council creates the potential for a conflict of interest insofar as Councilman Carifi may seek to exercise his vote on the Nominated Township Attorney and any Special Counsel, who would have the authority to affect the outcome of the James Carifi Litigations.”
James Carifi is the brother of Township Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr.
James Carifi has filed two civil actions against the Township, known as Carifi I and Carifi III, and the Township has filed a civil action against James Carifi, known as Carifi II.
Carifi I and Carifi III are at the trial court level, both actions are currently on appeal before the New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division. The trial of Carifi II is imminent as the Superior Court of New Jersey has set a firm return date of January 5, 2018 for pre-trial motions.
Council President Louis Valori, also announced there will be a special council meeting on December 27 at 4:30 p.m. The agenda states:
Resolution of the Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills authorizing the execution of an agreement with Morris Corporate Center VI, LLC for the installation and maintenance of landscaping on a portion of the property known as 100 Cherry Hill Road (block 136, lot 44) in the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills
Resolution of the Township Council of the township of Parsippany-Troy Hills authorizing a mobile intensive care unit affiliation agreement with Prime Healthcare Services
Resolution of the Township Council of the township of Parsippany-Troy Hills authorizing a developer’s agreement with 700 Mountain Way
Any other action reasonably related thereto may also be taken. Formal action may or not be taken.
Mayor-elect Michael Soriano swept the General Election against Mayor James Barberio by almost 800 votes.
Michael Soriano (D)
6851
James Barberio (R)
6059
Council President Louis Valori and Council Vice President Robert Peluso terms end on December 31, 2017 and will be replaced by Democrat Janice McCarthy and Emily Peterson.
A construction company was contacted and the house was demolished.
Dear Editor:
