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Iracane Being Investigated for Violating Open Public Meetings Act

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Robert Iracane, Chairman Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment minutes after the vote was taken for the reappointment of Board Attorney Peter King, Esq.

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment Chairman Robert Iracane is under investigation for violating the “Open Public Meeting Act.”

Zoning Board of Adjustment Attorney Peter King, Esq. said in an email to Parsippany Focus “I have discussed same with the Municipal Clerk for the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, and we have agreed we will be investigating the allegation of a violation of the Open Public Meeting Act on January 26, 2022, at the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting.”

Parsippany Focus received a number of “anonymous” complaints on Monday morning regarding the violation and contacted the Township Clerk, Khaled Madin, as well as the Zoning Board Attorney, Peter King, Esq. for an investigation.

A video of the video was first published on Parsippany Focus on Sunday, January 30, 2022.

At the end of the meeting on Wednesday, January 26, Chairman Iracane called for a “Social” with all of the board members. (Click here to view the meeting. At the 1:30:53 mark is when Iracane discusses the meeting.)

Chairman Iracane said “I would like the board to stay for about two minutes, the board only, just for a little social. Just the board.”

Peter King asks “Just for the record is this still an executive session.”

Iracane responded Nope, it’s just a two-minute social. Like we would go out for a drink. (Professionals and Audience leaves)

Iracane continued to say “I hate to discuss this, but I am sure you are aware of what happened to me in the press. If you want to call Hocus Pocus press, it’s a poor excuse for the press. Board Secretary Nora Jolie then says “Is this on record.” Iracane responds, No, No, No, this is social. Motion to adjourn. Then recording stops and the meeting continues.

New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act clearly states “The Legislature finds and declares that the right of the public to be present at all meetings of public bodies, and to witness in full detail all phases of the deliberation, policy formulation, and decision making of public bodies, is vital to the enhancement and proper functioning of the democratic process; that secrecy in public affairs undermines the faith of the public in government and the public’s effectiveness in fulfilling its role in a democratic society and hereby declares it to be the public policy of this State to ensure the right of its citizens to have adequate advance notice of and the right to attend all meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting the public is discussed or acted upon in any way except only in those circumstances where otherwise the public interest would be clearly endangered or the personal privacy or guaranteed rights of individuals would be clearly in danger of unwarranted invasion.”

Parsippany Quick Chek Will Be Reopening

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PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Focus has been informed that Parsippany Quick Chek is scheduled to reopen on Saturday, February 12.

Quick Chek which is located at 170 Parsippany Road in the Green Hills Plaza sustained extensive water and smoke damage from the fire in nearby stores. (Click here to read related story)

An early morning fire was reported at approximately 12:45 a.m., on Tuesday, January 4. Witnesses at the scene said it started in Joseph’s Pizzeria.  Reports that the rear of Joseph’s Pizzeria collapsed.  The address for Joseph’s Pizzeria is 180 Parsippany Road. Best Brains Learning Center, Joseph’s Pizza, Empty Store (Bagel), Panda Wok, Pediatrics, and Dry Cleaner were deemed uninhabitable at this time due to structural damage.

The Parsippany Quick Chek is one of the oldest locations in the chain. QuickChek is a chain of convenience stores based in Whitehouse Station with 153 stores in New Jersey and New York. The first store opened in Dunellen in 1967 and has since then grown into a chain.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 1

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Councilman Justin Musella, Frank Neglia, Paul Carifi, Jr. Council President Michael dePierro and Vice President Loretta Gragnani

PARSIPPANY — Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will hold an Agenda Meeting on Tuesday, February 1.

Regular Township Council Meetings will commence at 7:00 p.m. All meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings.  All meetings will be held in the Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard, Parsippany. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings.

Click here to download the agenda.

Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the American with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours prior to the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to make a request for an auxiliary aid.

Click here to download the 2022 agenda schedule.

Mayor and Council

Emma Swan Named to Hamilton College Dean’s List

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Emma Swan, a graduate of Parsippany High School

PARSIPPANY — Emma Swan has been named to the Dean’s List at Hamilton College for the 2021 fall semester.

To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must have carried throughout the semester a course load of four or more graded credits with an average of 3.5 or above.

Swan, a junior majoring in literature, is a graduate of Parsippany High School.

Originally founded in 1793 as the Hamilton-Oneida Academy, Hamilton College offers an open curriculum that gives students the freedom to shape their own liberal arts education within a research- and writing-intensive framework. 

Hamilton enrolls 1,850 students from 49 states and 46 countries. Additional information about the college can be found by clicking here.

Rainbow Lakes Fire Department Annual Fish and Chips

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Fish and Chips dinner (File Photo)

PARSIPPANY — Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company Annual Fish and Chips (or chicken and chips) will be held on the second Friday of Lent.  

This year it will be held on Friday, March 11 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The meal will be catered by Argyles.  Contact Mark Rabson via email to fishandchips@rlvfc.org if you are interested in receiving a Corporate Sponsor kit that includes signage and tickets.

Tickets in advance are $17.00 for adults and $14.00 for a child. Pick up your food from your car/vehicle. Due to COVID, there is no indoor seating this year.

Pick up location is at Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company, 1 Rainbow Trail, Denville.

To purchase tickets click here.

Parsippany Welcomes NJ Labs Group

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Dr. Maheta of Mount Sinai, Dr, Bullard Zaman, M.D., Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James R. Barberio, Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Board Member Frank Cahill and President Robert Peluso holds a plaque presented to Dr. Zaman, congratulating the new business on behalf of Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Advisory Board.

PARSIPPANY — NJ Labs Group celebrated a ribbon-cutting grand opening on Monday, January 31.

Navigating through this current pandemic has been difficult for all of us. NJ Lab Group believes that having access to fast and effective COVID-19 testing should be the least of our worries during such complicated times. Between no available appointments, long wait times, and delayed results, we’ve realized that many of our lives have been on pause and we are excited to offer the Parsippany community a chance to get fast, accurate test results from the comfort of your car!

Dr. Maheta of Mount Sinai, Dr, Bullard Zaman, M.D., Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James R. Barberio, Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Board Member Frank Cahill and President Robert Peluso holds a plaque presented to Dr. Zaman, congratulating the new business on behalf of Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Advisory Board.

Conveniently located off Route 46 East in Parsippany, NJ Lab Group has set up a uniquely innovative approach to providing this community with direct access to PCR COVID-19 testing FOR FREE. This drive-up testing facility also offers a solution to our patients from the convenience of their own car.

You can register for a test at www.njlabgroup.com. Please register before coming to the test site. Upon entering the parking lot, simply follow the signs through the lot and you will have your swab collected before you know it. Because our tests are processed locally, our patients will receive their results within 24-48 hours!

Dr. Bulland Zaman, a board-certified Family Physician has been working on the frontlines of this pandemic since March of 2020 and continues to work inpatient as well as outpatient medicine. With the blessings of Mayor Barberio, Dr. Zaman is proud to bring his medical services to this community of Parsippany and looks forward to continuing to provide all healthcare needs.

NJ Labs Group is located at 1259 Route 46, Building 3, Suite 307, Parsippany. NJ Labs Group is a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.

Reprinted from Parsippany Focus Magazine, February 2022. Click here to view.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Advisory Board presented a plaque to the new business

Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment – January 26, 2022

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PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment – January 26, 2022.

Click here to download the agenda for a special meeting.

Click here to download the agenda meeting.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment
2022 Members and Term Dates

  • Robert Iracane    Chairman    12/31/22
  • Dave Kaplan    Vice-Chair       12/31/23
  • Bernard Berkowitz    Member      12/31/24
  • Scot Joskowitz    Member        12/31/25
  • Nancy Snyder    Member        12/31/23
  • Sridath Reddy    Member        12/31/22
  • Davey Willans    Member        12/31/24
  • Casey Parikh    Alt. No. 1        12/31/23
  • Chris Mazzarella    Alt. No. 2        12/31/23
  • John Chadwick, Planner, John T. Chadwick IV P.P.
  • Chas Holloway, Engineer, Keller & Kirkpatrick
  • Peter King, Attorney, King Moench Hirniak & Collins, LLP
  • Nora O. Jolie, Board Secretary

Meet Christian Barranco: An Ambitious First-Generation Hispanic American

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Christian Barranco (R-Jefferson)

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County’s newest Assemblyman Christian Barranco doesn’t just stand out for his stature (he’s 6 feet 5 inches tall), it’s his unwavering conservative values and disadvantaged background that show there is a real chance for change in Trenton.

A first-generation Hispanic American from a broken home, Barranco knows what it means to put in the work to create your own success. He is currently a union electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 102 and worked as a project manager on many industrial and energy infrastructure projects in New Jersey.

Barranco says hoisting himself up by his bootstraps to become a middle-class provider from the private sector pushes him to make New Jersey a more affordable place to live for other hardworking families.

“The public sector economy is drowning New Jersey in taxes and regulations. It’s only worsening with Gov. Phil Murphy and the Democrat majority’s progressive policies,” he said. “Healthy and vibrant private enterprise – not more government – will champion jobs for New Jerseyans.”

He wants to make New Jersey a more attractive place to do business so that there are better opportunities for good-paying jobs.

“We cannot all work for the government,” he added.

The Legislature has been dominated by Democrats, but the recent “red wave” this past election indicates people are tired of big government and out-of-touch career politicians. Barranco is one of 11 new Republican members in the Assembly.

“It’s important that we build bridges among business, labor, and political leaders to address social and economic issues. I have seen first-hand the innovation and change that happens when we can bring all the parties to the table,” Barranco said. “One-party and one-man rule is hurting our state. We need to get more people involved to be active participants in change.”

To that end, in 2013, he founded and directed the New Jersey Rough Riders Society, a PAC supporting Republican candidates and issues at all levels of the New Jersey government. Later, in 2019, he started “Square Deal for NJ,” a social media site dedicated to raising political awareness and driving public awareness.

He vows not to become a “Trenton insider,” but he is no stranger to politics. He sharpened his experience as councilman for the Pompton Lakes Borough from 2017 to 2019 and as a member of the Pompton Lakes Republican County Committee from 2014 to 2019.

“I work for the people of New Jersey, not backroom wheelers and dealers. It all comes down to fighting to make New Jersey better for the people I represent,” he said. “I’m not afraid of fighting for change and making sure my constituents are aware of the oppressive proposals in Trenton, so we can all push back.”

An active member of the community and a resident of Jefferson Township, he has his finger on the pulse of the issues affecting local families. He currently serves on the Northern New Jersey Council of the Boy Scouts of America executive board. He and his wife Pauline, and their three children, Natalia, Simone, and Emilio, are parishioners at St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Oak Ridge.

“I got involved in local organizations and politics to make a difference. Political liberty, private-sector jobs, personal freedom, and affordability for working families are the causes that I will be advancing in Trenton. It’s time for a change,” he said.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association (PTHEA) Negotiations

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Frank A. Calabria Education Center

PARSIPPANY — This statement from the Parsippany Board of Education is to provide an accurate and timely update to the community on the status of negotiations between the Board of Education and the PTHEA.

The Board’s Negotiations Team met with the PTHEA and the State-appointed mediator for the second time on January 24, 2022. Unfortunately, we did not come to an agreement. The Board continues to make reasonable salary offers and seeks to implement practices that will support students and teachers, as well as provide some long-term containment of high health insurance costs to the district. The PTHEA leadership, however, is not interested in any change to the contract that would result in additional instructional time with students, and they will not negotiate towards more sustainable health insurance costs.

The Board has worked with the PTHEA in the past three contracts to offset the impact of Chapter 78 – the legislation that required teachers to contribute towards the cost of their health insurance. The Board provided both a flat dollar amount and a cap to the amount that members had to contribute towards their plans.

Last year, the Legislature provided teachers with the opportunity to elect new plans, which included significant savings and cost them less in their contributions. In effect, the Legislature gave the teachers relief that the Board had already provided in their contracts. Given this fact, and after nine contract years of providing teachers Chapter 78 relief, the Board requested that some – not all – of the significant concessions that it had previously made, be revised but only to the most expensive health insurance plan that the Board has been required to continue. The PTHEA has made it clear that it does not believe it needs to make any concessions during negotiations.

The Board also wants to address the PTHEA’s, “Open letter to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Community.”  When a contract expires, as the PTHEA contract did June 30, 2021, the parties continue to honor the terms of that contract as they are legally obligated to do.  Therefore, all teachers, except those on the top of the salary guide, received a step increment which included a salary increase for the 2021-22 school year.

The BOE Negotiations team did not agree to the salary increases demanded by the PTHEA. The Board’s salary proposal of 3% for the 2020-2021 school year, 3.1% for the 2021-2022 school year, and 3.1% for the 2022-2023 school year, which are at or higher than the county average, was more than fair; however, the PTHEA demanded a 3.56% salary increase for the 2020-2021 school year, 3.56% for the 2021-2022 school year, and a 3.56% for the 2022-2023 school year, an increase of 10.68% over three years.

The district is required to adhere to a 2% tax levy increase which funds all of our educational programs. The BOE should not have to find itself in a position where cuts to staffing and programs are the only option – this is not good for students or staff. The BOE has always put students’ education first and has made every effort to ensure our teacher’s needs are met.  The PTHEA’s salary demands, if accepted, leave the BOE and the taxpayers of Parsippany-Troy Hills with the harsh reality of funding these raises along with the ever-increasing cost of health benefits and normal operating cost increases at the risk of cuts to programs.

For the past three contract cycles, the PTHEA’s leadership has painted the Board of Education as unwilling to negotiate in good faith and disrespectful of teachers.  This could not be further from the truth.  As you will see below, teachers have received both respect and consideration for the job they do every day.

  • During the March 2020 shutdown, the Board continued to pay stipends for co-curricular, extracurricular, and athletic responsibilities even though staff members could not oversee, engage in, and complete stipend activities. Those teaching staff members who requested a “spring stipend” received their FULL stipend payment during the spring of 2020.
  • In September of 2020, our building administrators were encouraged to work with our teaching staff to address any personal issues that arose due to the pandemic. Many teachers were permitted to leave to pick up their own children,  visit the doctor, attend to family members, etc. without having to use their contractual sick, personal, or family illness time.
  • In November 2020, the Board approved the Superintendent’s recommendation that teachers be permitted to leave school midday and teach from home/conduct tutorial sessions during the afternoons rather than their classrooms in order to attend to home matters. This accommodation, which was not provided to other district staff, was in effect until June 2021.
  • The Board approved the recommendation of the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources that staff not be penalized for quarantine periods during the 2020-21 school year. No one needed to use sick or personal days for quarantining as many other districts required.
  • The district maintained a Virtual Friday schedule at the K-8 level through November 30, 2020, and at the high school level through May 7, 2021; most staff members were able to work from home on Virtual Fridays in a tutorial/office hour capacity and without the same demands as their regular schedule would require.
  • The District arranged for free of charge vaccinations for staff members and permitted staff to obtain vaccinations without the use of sick or personal time.
  • The Assistant Superintendent for HR and the Superintendent regularly approved teachers’ requests for non-accumulative additional sick leave at full pay less the cost of a substitute in cases of prolonged absence where members ran out of sick time or when they had utilized all of their family ill days.
  • The PTHEA Leadership exerted constant pressure on the Board of Education and Superintendent throughout the 2020-21 school year to remain closed and continue with full remote learning. Even earlier this month, the PTHEA Leadership requested that the district send students home at lunch and run an early dismissal schedule for an indeterminate period. None of this behavior is supportive of students or parents and fails to recognize what all health officials and educators have indicated, children need to be in school.

These actions by the Board do not demonstrate scornful derision but rather respect of our teachers and their individual circumstances during a time when many school districts did not or could not allow flexibility did not or could not pay stipends, or required staff members to exhaust their contractual time when the need arose.

This is done because the BOE and Central Office respects and cares for our teaching staff.

In the past, the PTHEA has started job actions during negotiations and the BOE understands that it seems to be the intent again. While this option is certainly available, after a pandemic-filled two years, district experience shows that the individuals who will suffer most from job actions will be our students.

The BOE wants what is best for our students, community, and teachers at a reasonable fiscal cost.  The BOE is asking that the PTHEA reconsider its stance in refusing to make concessions that would allow the District to maintain its present health insurance, instructional plans, and sustainable salary increases.

Click here to download “Statement Regarding Impasse with PTHEA 12-1-21″

Council President Michael J. dePierro Held Successful 38th Annual Luncheon

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Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Michael J. dePierro at his 38th Annual Fundraiser

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Michael J. dePierro’s held his 38th Annual Luncheon fundraiser at The Mansion at Mountain Lakes.

Jack Ciattarelli and Dee dePierro
Jonathan F. Cohen, Esq. and his wife Olivia
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio, Council Vice President Loretta Gragnani and Jack Ciattarelli
Parsippany Attorney Joseph O’Neill and Planning Board member Gordon Meth
Parsippany resident Nicolas Limanov and Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman Justin Musella
Olivia Cohen, Jonathan F. Cohen, Esq., Morris County Commissioner John Krickus, and Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman Justin Musella
Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, State Senator Anthony Bucco, and Parsippany’s Township Lawyer Michael Lavery, Esq.
Morris County Commissioner Candidate Melissa Florance-Lynch and Jack Ciattarelli
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio and Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling
The dePierro family with Sheriff James Gannon and Nicolas Limanov
Morris County Commissioner Stephen Shaw, Doug Cabana and CD11 Candidate Paul DeGroot
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio, Council Vice Presidnt Loretta Gragnani and Jack Ciattarelli
Former Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce, Mayor James Barberio and Jack Ciattarelli
CD11 Candidate Paul DeGroot and Hanover Township Deputy Mayor Thomas “Ace” Gallagher
Kevin Brancato and Bill Close
The group posed for the camera
John Ingelsino, Michael de Pierro, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, and Hanover Township Deputy Mayor Thomas “Ace” Gallagher

A capacity crowd of local, County, State dignitaries, friends and family came out on this cold, wintery day to support and celebrate Mike’s long service to the community of Parsippany.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board – January 24, 2022

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PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board – January 24, 2022.

Click here to download the agenda.

 

$325 Million Program for Struggling Homeowners to Launch February 8

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MORRIS COUNTY — On February 8, the State of New Jersey will launch the Emergency Rescue Mortgage Assistance Program (ERMA), a federally financed program for homeowners who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible homeowners may receive up to $35,000, plus free housing counseling services, to cover mortgage arrearages, delinquent property taxes, and other housing cost delinquencies.

This lifeline makes loss mitigation options, such as refinancing, a viable option.

ERMA, which is being administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA), utilizes $325.9 million of federal Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) money under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

ERMA will also provide free housing counseling services to help New Jersey homeowners apply for this program, guide them through all available options, and even work with their loan servicers to achieve the best outcome available for their families. These counselors will also ensure that the process is accessible to those without access to the Internet or those having difficulties navigating the process.

Click here to review program eligibility guidelines and sign up for program updates.

To qualify for the ERMA program, homeowners must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a New Jersey homeowner with a demonstrated COVID-19-related financial hardship occurring after January 20, 2020
  • Own and occupy an eligible primary residence
  • Have an income below 150% of their Area Median Income (AMI).

NJHMFA will provide the centralized application intake platform, eligibility review, and payment of assistance, which will be made directly to the servicer.

Housing counselors are available to assist homeowners with applications or understand all available options. ERMA applications can be submitted using a personal computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet, or call (855) 647-7700 to be put in touch with a housing counselor.

The ERMA application portal will open for applications click here on February 8, 2022, at 9:00 a.m.

NJHMFA will work to accommodate homeowners with disabilities as well as to assist applicants with limited English proficiency. The application portal is available in many languages. Applicants seeking accommodations should contact NJHMFA at (855) 647-7700 for assistance.

To receive updates and notifications on the program via email and/or text, visit the NJHMFA HAF page and complete the “Receive HAF Update Notifications” form by clicking here.

NEW JERSEY HOUSING AND MORTGAGE FINANCE AGENCY

NJHMFA, an independent agency of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, is a statewide and national leader in providing and advocating for affordable housing and homeownership. The Agency provides financing to developers to create quality homes and provides mortgage loans down payments and closing cost assistance to help homebuyers achieve their dream of homeownership. For more information about NJHMFA programs, click here.

Two Armed Robberies at Route 46 Gas Stations Within Minutes

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Parsippany-Troy Hills Police. File Photo

PARSIPPANY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph K. Kimker, and Parsippany-Troy Hills Acting Police Chief Richard Pantina announce an active investigation into a pair of armed robberies that occurred in Parsippany-Troy Hills on Friday, January 21, and are seeking information from the public.

On Friday, January 21, a robbery was reported to have occurred at the Shell gas station on Route 46 East at 7:54 p.m.

A black or dark gray BMW X5 stopped at the station, and the male driver asked for $25 of fuel. When the attendant turned their back, the driver pulled out a knife and demanded money.

The BMW X5 fled eastbound on Route 46. Approximately 10 minutes later, a black or dark gray BMW X5 stopped at the Conoco gas station on Route 46 West.

The male driver asked for the vehicle to be filled up with gas, later walking up behind the attendant, displaying a knife and demanding money.

The suspect pushed the attendant to the ground, returned to the vehicle, and fled west on Route 46. The suspect is described as a black male, with possibly short facial hair, and wearing a black jacket, black pants, possibly black gloves, and a black facemask with a hat.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department at (973) 263-4300, or Morris County Crimestoppers at 1-800-743-7433.

Barberio to Participate in NJ Coalition for Education & Positive Choices Seminar on Suicide Prevention

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Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio

PARSIPPANY — Mayor James Barberio will be participating in The NJ Coalition for Education & Positive Choices Suicide Prevention Seminar on the following dates:

Dates: Thursday, March 24 (Adults & Parents) and Thursday, March 31 (Teens)
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location:  Abundant Life Whippany, 43 South Jefferson Road, Whippany
Light refreshments will be served.

Suicide is a serious health concern and is the second leading cause of death among adolescents aged 15 – 24.  It is complicated and tragic but it is preventable.  Knowing the warning signs and how to get help saves lives.  How can members of communities work together to prevent suicide? In conjunction with the Mental Health Association, Abundant Life Whippany, and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office. The NJ Coalition for Education & Positive Choices (NJC4EPC) has worked to develop goals and strategies to increase awareness and prevent suicide. This high-powered group invites the public to attend these sessions to learn how to prevent suicide by learning the warning signs and risk factors. Learn how by asking non-judgmental questions you can get a child to share his or her thoughts with you.

The teen session will include a brief presentation focusing on what signs to look for in a friend who might be suicidal and provide some tips on what they can do. This will be followed by a peer-led discussion on teen mental health delivered in a safe, supportive space.

Hosted by:

  • Mayor James R. Barberio, Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills
  • Mike Corcoran, Public Service Director, Town of Morristown
  • Thomas “Ace” Gallagher, Deputy Mayor, Hanover Township
  • James Gannon, Morris County Sheriff
  • Mike Loock, Chief of Police, Hanover Township
  • Mental Health Association
  • Pastor Vernon Outlaw, Abundant Life Whippany
  • Mayor Joe Pannullo, East Hanover Township
  • Darnel Richardson, Chief of Police, Town of Morristown
  • Steven Shaw, Morris County Commissioner
  • Mayor Mark Taylor, Florham Park

For more information contact: acegallagher@gmail.com

 

Lou Valori Appointed to the Morris County Park Commission

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Parsippany resident Lou Valori

MORRIS COUNTY — Parsippany resident Dr. Lou Valori was recently sworn into the Morris County Park Commission.

His appointment was approved by the Morris County Commissioners.

Valori said, “I want to thank the Morris County Commissioners for being reappointed to the Morris County Park Commission and I’m looking forward to working with my fellow Park Commissioners to protect, preserve and promote Morris County’s precious environmental elements and recreational resources and programs.”

The Park Commission oversees one of the finest park systems in New Jersey. Provides over 20,000 acres of specialized park areas and facilities for recreational, leisure time, and educational needs of three million annual visitors. Includes ice skating arena, outdoor education centers, arboretums, golf courses, a marina, swimming-boating areas, trails (including one for the blind), para course fitness trails, camping facilities, a living farm, an operating mill, riding stable, and concerts. Offers nature study and horticultural education classes in its education center.

For more information click here.

 

Parsippany Office Building Sells For $6.4M

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A Parsippany office building sold for $6.4 million

PARSIPPANY — Newmark Associates CRE, LLC, announced the recent $6,400,000 sale of a premier office property at 28 Eastmans Road, Parsippany, and the $1,100,000 sale of 6 Bartley-Chester Road, Flanders, both in Morris County.

Nancy Stanton-Tuckman, Executive Vice President exclusively managed the Parsippany transaction for the owner whose company, Millennium Systems International, occupied the entire building. The purchaser, Micrologic Associates, a technology company, will be the new tenant.

Unique to this transaction was the buyer’s immediate need for the building and the urgency to finalize the sale in 2021. Within approximately two months of bringing the property to market, Ms. Tuckman received multiple offers and closed the sale quickly in spite of a challenging office market due to the ongoing pandemic. With such incentives, both companies worked closely together to orchestrate a closing before year-end.

Ms. Tuckman highlighted a major aspect of the sale: “Both seller and purchaser are in very similar businesses, the sale of management software systems. Millennium, the majority of whose 250 employees had elected to work remotely, resulted in the determination to sell the building. Micrologic, car wash and quick lube management system experts, needed to expand their marketing department and required additional office space. It really was a win-win situation.”

Located on 4.82 acres of land, this Class A building with 47,500 SF of office space on three floors, holds 9,000 SF of storage on the lower level accessed by a freight elevator and an outer loading dock – providing exact specifications for the buyers’ needs. Ample parking of 150 spaces was another attractive feature for Micrologic who will occupy the building with employees returning to offices. The floor plan of the building includes several communal areas for collaborative work with an office set up for Green screen and video production.

Built-in 2000, the property was sold In 2012 to Millennium who had upgraded all aspects of the office building including the lobbies, elevator, and amenities which now include a Tuscany Wine Room.

In addition to the sale of the Eastmans Road property, Ms. Stanton-Tuckman was responsible for the sale of 6 Bartley-Chester Road, Flanders, a 10,000 SF industrial use building.

Built-in 1980, this two-story, well-maintained warehouse zoned CR3 for multiple uses, is situated on a private, wooded lot, and half occupied by a daycare center with ample parking and an outdoor recreation area for the center.

Attractive to the buyer, whose business formerly occupied several leased spaces, was that this investment property with an existing tenant affords them the opportunity to create a future office environment inside the existing building with functional flex space for their business, all in one location.

Representing the seller, Ms. Tuckman commented: “This sale presented multiple challenges relevant to the presence of the daycare center and its requirements for this type of use on the property. It was the working relationship and ability of both brokers to problem solve all these challenges that allowed for the final sale of this building. It was a cash offer with no contingencies that awarded the property to the buyer.”

Ms. Tuckman can be reached via email at ntuckman@newmarkrealestate.com or via cell phone at (973) 216-7107.

Newmark Associates CRE, located in Cedar Knolls, is certified as a woman-owned business by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and registered as a Supplier Diversity provider with corporate members. Celebrating more than 30 years in the commercial real estate industry as one of the top brokerage companies in the state, Newmark Associates has been recognized repeatedly with awards by both NJBIZ magazine and the CoStar Commercial Real Estate organization. Specializing in lease and sales transactions of office, industrial, retail, land, healthcare, and mixed-use properties, Newmark customers range from regional, entrepreneurial firms to Fortune 500 companies.

The Morris County Republican Committee Leads the Way In Innovation by Announcing the First Political NFT Launch

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Morris County Republican Committee will be the first political party in the state to pilot an Non-Fungible Token

MORRIS COUNTY — Chairwoman Laura Marie Ali announced that the Morris County Republican Committee (MCRC) will be the first political party in the state of New Jersey to pilot an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) launch as part of its 2022 Digital Marketing Campaign and Fundraising Strategy. In fact, MCRC will be the first Republican organization in the country to do so.

“Morris County Republicans are committed to leading the way in innovation and technology that delivers results. We are excited that our initial launch will be three categories of NFTs at different price points as part of our 2022 digital marketing strategy this month. We are confident that this strategy will both attract new, engaged members and donors to our party”, Chairwoman Ali said.

“With more donors attracted to our organization through NFTs, we can raise the money needed to power our campaigns against the state’s deep-pocket Democrats. Republicans in New Jersey have to avail themselves of every opportunity to grow the party and win elections,” added the Chairwoman.

Ali said she believes the MCRC is the first Republican County organization in the nation to embrace fundraising through NFT’s. “The Morris County Republican Committee is uniquely positioned to implement this new way for people to engage with the Republican Party and the Morris County Republican brand. NFTs have exploded in the areas of art, games, and collectibles with over $24.9 billion worth of NFTs sold in 2021 with $5 billion sold in January of 2022 YTD so far”.

An NFT is a non-fungible token: non-fungible” meaning that it is unique and has a way of recording proof of ownership on a blockchain, giving the buyer confidence that what they are buying is authentic. It also provides provable scarcity and demand which gives NFTs their value. This one-of-a-kind digital asset can be bought and resold by the owner.

Owning one of this limited edition NFT Collectibles comes with special perks and benefits like admission to a party, VIP seating at conventions, and special offers.

The sale of the NFT’s will begin Thursday, January 27 when 39 Platinum level NFTs, 199 Gold, and 500 “Take Back NJ” digital buttons will be available. The Platinum NFTs will sell for $1,000 apiece; the Gold for $500 and the buttons will sell for $50 each. To get on the list to learn more about the NFTs and make a purchase go to nft.morrisgop.org.   The NFT can only be purchased with a credit card. The purchase of the tokens is compliant with New Jersey’s Election Law Enforcement Commission donor regulations.

Purchasers of the Platinum and Gold NFTs will receive certain benefits provided by the MCRC.

“We have been working with an exceptional partner on this project since the summer that has made the end-user buying experience easy. There is no need to own or understand cryptocurrency. They have been working hard to develop an ELEC-compliant front end to enable new users to purchase these one-of-a-kind NFTs. Buying one is easy with one-click signup and a credit card. All initial NFT purchasers will have special access to our next NFT launch this Spring to coincide with our annual convention”, said Chairwoman Ali. “Also, by putting your name on our contact list by clicking here, you will be entered into a free drawing for a free NFT.”

You can watch our explainer video and find out more information about the actual launch and benefits of NFT ownership by accessing the pre-launch webpage by clicking here.

Councilman Musella Holds Office Hours

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Councilman Justin Musella speaking to a resident at Starbucks as part of his campaign promise to listen to residents

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman Justin Musella spoke to a resident at Starbucks as part of his campaign promise to listen to residents.

Musella won a seat on Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council by securing the highest number of votes in the General Election held in November.

He took the Oath of Office on January 1.

The next “Office Hours” will be on February 19 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Starbucks, 1429 Route 46, Parsippany.

Barranco Sworn In New Jersey General Assembly

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Christian Barranco was among the new Republican members of the New Jersey General Assembly sworn in on Tuesday, January 11

MORRIS COUNTY — Christian Barranco (R-Jefferson) was among the new Republican members of the New Jersey General Assembly to be sworn in on Tuesday, January 11 in Trenton as the Legislature begins the 2022–2023 session. He will receive an annual salary of $49,000/year.

Christian Barranco graduated from Don Bosco Technical High School in 1987. Barranco earned a B.A. in political science and government from Montclair State University in 2017. His career experience includes owning Flowers Right Now, LLC, and working as a project manager with McPhee Electric, a journeyman and wireman with IBEW Local 102, and a project manager with Beach Electric Company.

Christian Barranco (R-Jefferson)

Christian received 29.3% of the vote or a total of 45,224 votes.

Members of the New Jersey General Assembly serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. New Jersey legislators assume office at noon of the second Tuesday in January following the election.

His current term ends on January 9, 2024.

Woman’s Club Donates Two Digital Microscopes to Library

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The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills donated two digital microscopes to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Library

PARSIPPANY — The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills was pleased to donate two digital microscopes to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Library. One of these microscopes will be available at the Main Library and the other will be available at the Lake Hiawatha branch.

The digital microscopes will allow students to view items through a flip-out screen rather than a traditional eyepiece, making viewing easier. The screen is adjustable and can magnify items up to 300x. It comes with a set of slides that are included in the case or they can view everyday items like their fingerprint! These microscopes can be borrowed for 14 days at a time by Parsippany residents.

Head of Children’s Services, Rose Schulman expressed her thanks to the Woman’s Club stating “Thank you again to the Woman’s Club for thinking of us and for taking the time to see us this morning. The Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library System is very excited to add these items to our Library of Things. Our community will benefit greatly from having the opportunity to check out this equipment to try at home!”

Special thanks to Woman’s Club Education Chairman, Betty Lagitch, for reaching out to Melissa Kuzma, Library Director to see how we can help the library.

Donations like these are made possible by the various fundraising activities the Woman’s Club conducts throughout the year. Please consider supporting our club with these efforts so we can continue to support various community organizations. The Woman’s Club will be having a Tricky Tray to support our Education/Scholarship Fund on July 12 at the PAL,  Baldwin Road. This will be our major fundraiser for the year, so please stay tuned for more information and ways you can help us make this a successful event.

The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) and the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs (NJSFWC), which are the largest volunteer women’s service organizations in the country/state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service.

General Meetings are held the fourth Monday of each month September through April at 7:00 p.m. at the Parsippany Fire & Rescue Building at 100 Centerton Road, Parsippany.

If you would like to attend our next General Meeting call Marilyn at (973) 539-3703 or e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com. Check us out on the web www.parsippanywomansclub.org .or follow the club on FACEBOOK or Twitter.

Pictures Courtesy of the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills

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