MORRIS COUNTY — The public is invited to attend the first annual Morris County National Coming Out Day on Saturday, October 9, from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m. Light refreshments, food, and music.
The event is a collaboration with LGBTQ+ liaisons from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Morris Township Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and Morristown Police Department, and is intended to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community in providing a safe environment. Health and wellness resources will be provided for education and awareness.
Annually observed on October 11, National Coming Out Day is intended to support LGBTQ+ individuals and sometimes individuals outside the LGBTQ+ community to “come out.”
This event will be held at 10 Court Street (between Morris County Superior Court and Morris County Administration Building.
PARSIPPANY — During Tuesday’s Township Council meeting, Mayor Michael Soriano announced that the Township Recycling Center will continue to operate on its normal schedule, which includes 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Saturdays.
The center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on weekdays.
The recycling center is located on Pump House Road, near the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department and the U.S. Postal Service.
“There was concern that keeping the Recycling Center open on Saturdays could result in deeper financial consequences, based on early budget speculations,” said Mayor Michael Soriano. “Finance has now assured us that this won’t be the case.”
MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy’s latest COVID directive requiring children two years and older to wear masks in childcare centers drew the ire of Senator Joe Pennacchio, who called the order “useless and unworkable.”
“Every parent who has ever tried to get a photo of their two-year-old in a Halloween mask knows this rule is futile,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “When you put any covering on a 2-year-olds’ face, they instinctively grab it and pull it off.
“The Governor knows this. He knows his mandate is impossible to accomplish and impossible to enforce.”
The mask requirement was included in an executive order signed by Murphy on Monday giving workers at daycare centers five weeks to be fully vaccinated for COVID or face weekly testing for the virus.
“This is the latest of a long list of edicts that haven’t made any sense,” Pennacchio said. “Masks were required for outdoor visitors to the beaches and state parks, and restaurants were forced to close at 10:00 p.m. as if the virus became more contagious later in the night. Prisons were opened up while orders sealed the virus among the elderly and frail in nursing homes with devastating effects. And now two-year-olds crawling around behind masks. None of this ever made any sense.
“Daycare workers are going to spend all day changing dirty diapers and masks and chasing after kids who lost their masks,” Pennacchio said.
The Senator again questioned where is the science and data to support this type of edict.
Initial COVID studies last year showed that COVID had a minimal effect on young children. A Yale University study of more than 57,000 childcare centers in the U.S. determined that keeping facilities open does not contribute to the transmission of COVID.
A research review of 11 studies measuring virus transmission in child care and preschool settings determined “evidence suggests that early learning programs are not associated with increased risk of contracting COVID-19 when health and safety precautions are in place.”
Pennacchio noted that more recent studies continue to indicate that “young children are at low risk for developing COVID-19 but also don’t play a significant role in the spread” of the virus.
“Trying to force a room full of two- and three-year-olds to keep their masks on for the duration of the workday is a foolish waste of time,” said Pennacchio. “It’s just more nonsense from the front office in Trenton.”
PARSIPPANY —Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills has a Regular Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 21.
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.
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.
PARSIPPANY — Diamond Dance performed a flash mob at the Kiwanis Food Festival held on Saturday, September 18.
Diamond Dance is owned and directed by Tiffany Slowinski a Puerto Rican, Parsippany native.
The Diamond Dance competition team performed in American and Puerto Rican flag tank tops and will be collecting donations to help rebuild Puerto Rico and support youth educational groups.
“When I was 14 years old we moved from Nutley to Parsippany. Most freshman’s in high school would find that extremely difficult but I just found it as another opportunity to meet new people and make (more friends) as I am still in direct contact with teachers and friends from my youth. I think that speaks volumes about my Hispanic heritage and culture. We are lovers, givers, and extremely passionate. It’s important to me to pass that trait on to my dancers. I want them to lead with their heart, befriend their competition, and give back to those in need,” said Tiffany Slowinski.
Diamond Dance is located at 164 Halsey Road and can be reached by calling (908) 659-8079.
PARSIPPANY — Girls on the Run begins its fall season.
The group meets Tuesdays and Fridays at Veterans Field in Parsippany from 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. and it is for girls in grades 3-5. Meetups are totally outdoors. This is a non-competitive, friendly group, and the focus is on helping girls grow in confidence with lessons that are fun, combined with light jogging/walking at the girls’ own pace.
They can use another two to four girls. You can sign up by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — Another Class A Commercial Building is disappearing from Parsippany.
The building located at Two Hilton Court, previously occupied by Daiichi Sankyo, which relocated to Basking Ridge in 2016, will be demolished and replaced with a warehouse.
Daiichi Sankyo, even though moved out in 2016 maintains the lease on the building until December 2022 and has been paying rent on the vacant building.
Daiichi Sankyo vacated the premises in 2016
The building was purchased in 2020 by Onyx Equities when they purchased a large portion of the former Mack-Cali complex.
In the past year, over one million square feet of vacant office space has been eliminated from the market. Parsippany is a location, location, location town. Approximately 400,000 square feet in the Stanberry Project on Route 10; 400,000 square feet in Lanidex; Two Campus, Four Campus, and 1633 Littleton Road, and this project brings it to over one million square feet.
When Mack-Cali constructed the building in 1991 it was built to specification as a one tenant building, thus making it difficult to lease to multi-tenants, and in the current market it’s considered a “White Elephant.” The Class A office building is complete with a fitness center and restaurant and contains four floors with a total of 181,592 square feet with 726 parking spaces.
The plans submitted to the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills indicate the current building will be demolished and replaced with a 113,000 square foot industrial building containing 102,600 square feet of warehouse and 10,800 square feet of office. The location is very convenient to Route 10 off Dryden Way with access to Route 287, Route 80, and Route 24 within minutes, thus eliminating additional traffic on Littleton Road (Route 202).
In addition in the same complex, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board approved 2 Campus LLC., to construct a 172-unit residential building on the property located at 2 Campus Drive (Block 202, Lot 3.20); 4 Campus Drive (Block 202, Lot 3.2); and 1633 Littleton Road (Block 202, Lot 3.1).
Units
COAH Units
1 Bedroom
76
7
2 Bedrooms
89
21
3 Bedrooms
7
7
Total Units
172
35
Also, the Planning Board approved 1 Campus Associates, 3 Campus Drive, a plan to construct a total of 238 units, with 48 units of affordable housing.
Units
COAH Units
1 Bedroom
104
9
2 Bedrooms
124
29
3 Bedrooms
10
10
238
48
In addition, Stanbery will replace two vacant office buildings at 1515 Route 10 with over 500 multi-family residential dwellings. There is also an office and retail component planned but is being delayed due to COVID-19.
Lanidex Plaza will be transformed into PARQ Parsippany which is a multi-generational, mixed-use development that will encompass townhomes, multi-family residences, retail, expansive and open green spaces, and state-of-the-art facilities.
The approved plan will be implemented in two phases. The first phase includes Multi-Family Building 1, which features 275 multi-family residences, convenience retail, indoor and outdoor amenity space, and ample parking. It will also highlight 75 clustered courtyard townhomes with two-car garages. The townhomes will feature contemporary farmhouse-style architecture with access to a clubhouse and outdoor pool. Convenient, master-down home designs are also available. An athletic field, concession building, restrooms, and playground are also included in the first phase.
PARSIPPANY — Join the Parsippany Police Department for another installment of “Coffee with A Cop,” on Tuesday, September 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon, at Valley Bank, 800 Route 46, Arlington Shopping Center.
This semi-regular get-together offers local residents the opportunity to chat with our local police force over a multitude of important issues affecting residents and their neighborhoods while offering a glimpse into the day-to-day operations of running our police department.
Please note RSVPs are necessary for this event. Please RSVP to Ildiko Peluso at (973) 263-0601 or email here.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department has announced several roads will be closed Saturday, September 18 because of a run/walk event. Closures and detours will take place in the area of Campus Drive, Sylvan Way, Entin Way and Dryden Way.
Also, expect an increase in traffic in the area when the event ends at noon. Here’s when and where the closures will take place, according to Parsippany police:
7:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon: Campus Drive will be closed from Hilton Court to Dryden Way.
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon: Century Drive will be closed.
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon: Dryden Way will be closed at the intersection of Campus Drive to Sylvan Way. Traffic coming from Route 10 onto Dryden Way will be turned around just south of the intersection of Campus Drive.
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon: Sylvan Way will be closed from just west of Century Drive to the entrance to Wegmans.
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon: Entin Road will have no access to Sylvan Way. Traffic attempting to get onto Sylvan Way will be turned around just prior to the intersection.
8:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon: If you need to access the Hilton Hotel or Hampton Inn, use the entrance off of Route 10 West.
PARSIPPANY — The Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire Department was requested to the Morris County Conservation Center for a vehicle that was hanging off of a half wall, on Tuesday, September 14 at 11:29 a.m.
Upon arrival, the driver was still in the vehicle and uninjured, but we did not want to remove the victim until the vehicle was stabilized for fear of the weight shifting.
A veteran front-end loader operator was on scene and with his help, we were able to stabilize the vehicle enough to have the patient step out safely.
The vehicle was eventually removed from the wall with minimal damage. Thanks to Morris County Office of Emergency Management/EMS and the County Fire Marshall for their assistance! Chief 1, Engine 12, Engine 15, and Rescue 14 responded. The Parsippany Rescue and Recovery Unit was dispatched and canceled en route once the patient was safely removed.
Pictures courtesy of Mount Tabor Volunteer Fire Department
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council voted on Tuesday, September 7 to approve Mayor Soriano’s 2021 Budget, 4-1. Councilman Paul Carifi voted against the budget.
Municipal tax rate increase (including Public Library) is 4.28%. This will increase the average homeowner assessed at $311,780 and an additional $97.62 (per year) on the municipal portion of the tax bill.
The total municipal budget for 2021 is $79,733,383, and increase of $2,676,609 over the 2020 budget of $77,056,774. (The 2020 finally adopted budget was $76,333,905.78 subsequently modified by various grants received for a total budget of $77,056,774.70)
“A very challenging budget season for various reasons but in the end, the overall tax rates will be hovering around 2%, including the Fire Districts,” stated Parsippany’s Chief Financial Officer Juan Uribe.
“I originally voted to keep the $1.1 million in the budget so that the tax increase for our residents would remain at 2.15%. By removing that money from the budget raises the taxes to 4.28% which I do not want to do. We already had to increase the sewer and water rates by 39% this past year because our surplus no longer exists. That increase still keeps us in the middle of the county as far as water and sewer rates and those rates have not been raised in 12 years but still counting that and the effects of the COVID pandemic and many residents losing their jobs I just feel increasing taxes above and beyond what was proposed at this time is not fair to our residents.I did my due diligence as I always do and spoke to many residents in the town and every single person that I spoke to said to me please do not raise my taxes any more than what is being proposed and it is for these reasons I voted not to raise taxes more than what was being proposed,” stated Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr.
Parsippany Republican Committee Chairman Lou Valori stated “I urged on behalf of our overwhelmed taxpayers at a Council Meeting with Council President Michael dePierro not to raise taxes.”
Council President Michael dePierro said “The Township is halfway through the third quarter of the year before the Mayor can find enough gimmicks to balance his budget. The Mayor has pushed most of the Township’s deficit into the 2022 budget. The 2022 budget will prove to be a nightmare for Parsippany taxpayers. In an attempt to pay down some of that deficit in 2021, the Council rejected the Mayor’s request to borrow $1.1 million from the 2022 budget. We still have a serious overestimate of Revenue and a serious underestimate of Expenses. As of this writing, the CFO has not been able to provide a calculation for Municipal Taxes or the Tax Rate.”
“Residents who addressed the council praised the fact that this budget didn’t use millions of dollars in utility reserves to balance the budget and at the same time asked the council to approve a budget with a 2.2% tax increase that was achieved by using millions of dollars in reserves. They were just different reserves. There are no more utility reserves to use and those reserves are what replaced revenue and kept taxes artificially low for too many years. The council’s decision not to approve $1.1 million in reserves along with a 4.2% tax rate is intended to slightly increase cash and revenue and hopefully lessen a higher tax increase next year, but more importantly, it begins to limit the use of reserves to compensate for revenue and introduces a degree of accountability,” said Janice McCarthy.
PARSIPPANY — Governor Phil Murphy visited three of the Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI)-Owned Businesses on Beverwyck Road, on Sunday, September 12.
Governor Murphy walked with Mayor Soriano and council candidates Cori Herbig and Judy Hernandez from Asia Grocery & Halal Meat, to Kabab Paradise and then to Pakwaan Indian Take Out.
Governor Phil Murphy visited three of the Asian American Pacific Islanders Owned Businesses on North Beverwyck Road
Every business owner expressed how business has changed over the last year and a half. Kabab Paradise now has a bustling outdoor eating area and commended Mayor Soriano for the town’s quick and efficient approval process for outdoor dining at the height of the pandemic. Pakwaan Indian Take Out has become a take-out-only restaurant after its catering and fine dining establishments struggled amidst the COVID-19 surges. “We were thrilled to welcome Governor Murphy to Parsippany to visit some of our amazing Asian American-owned businesses in town. We are committed to supporting all small businesses in Parsippany and ensuring that the rich cultural diversity of our business community thrives. Cori Herbig, Judy Hernandez, and I look forward to working with Governor Murphy for another four years,” said Mayor Michael Soriano.
Governor Phil Murphy visits Kabab ParadiseThe group walking on North Beverwyck Road
PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its Planning Board meeting on Monday, September 13, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.
Please be advised that in order for a member of the public to speak during the public portion, they will need to provide their first name, last name, address, and city accurately. Anyone not using their real name and address will not be allowed to speak during the public portion.
PARSIPPANY — Elections were held for the Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association on Sunday, September 12.
The new officers’ motto is: “Transparency and unity are what we will work towards this year to bring the Lake Parsippany Community together.”
2021 Election Results:
Below are the preliminary unofficial results for the election:
Vice President: Nirav Patel (Winner)
Candidate Votes Percentage
Nirav Patel 383 75.50%
Tony Suprum 121 23.90%
Treasurer: Patty Ellis (Winner)
Candidate Votes Percentage
Patty Ellis 466 97.50%
Recording Secretary: Daniel Nazzaro (Winner)
Candidate Votes Percentage
Daniel Nazzaro 254 83.30%
Chris Savino 23 7.50%
District 1 Directors: Manisha Mansura and Marilyn Ammirata (Winners)
Marilyn Ammirata 51 31.30%
Manisha Mansuria 108 66.30%
District 2 Directors: Darshana Kalavadia, Barbara Perentin, and Jagdish Prajapati (Winners)
Candidate Votes Percentage
Darshana Kalavadia 81 40.10%
Barbara Perentin 58 28.70%
Jagdish Prajapati 57 28.20%
District 3 Directors: Raul Carandang, Don Phelps and Tony Suprum (Winners)
Candidate Votes Percentage
Raul Carandang 117 47.60%
Don Phelps 45 18.30%
Tony Suprum 35 14.20%
Matthew Kilic 27 11.00%
Chris Savino 17 6.90%
District 4 Directors: Mary Free and Harsimran Kaur (Winners)
Candidate Votes Percentage
Mary Free 86 36.10%
Harsimran Kaur 84 35.30%
Debbie Savage 34 14.30%
John Scrivens 32 13.40%
Front Row: Deep Tailor, Danny Dejai, Riham Shah, Tarak Bhatt and Pulkit Desai. Back Row: Nirav Patel, Patty Ellis, Manisha Manjaria, Darshana Kalavadia, Barbara Perentin, Jagdish Prajapati, Raul Carandang, Mary Free, and Harsimran Kaur.
PARSIPPANY — Super proud to announce that the Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company (Parsippany District 2) came home from the Boonton parade with four amazing trophies, during Labor Day Weekend. Best overall pumper, best appearing pumper three months to five years old, Best Appearing Fire Company in Parade Uniform under 10 men without music, and third place Best Appearing Fire Company Color Guard in Parade Uniform.
Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company came home from the Boonton parade with four amazing trophies.
“I’d like to thank everyone for their extremely hard work in getting everything prepared for today. I’m proud of every single one of our members and we can’t wait for next year,” said Joe Reeber, Chief RLVFC.
If anyone is interested in joining our extremely dedicated crew, stop by any Monday at 7:00 p.m. and speak to one of our members. Their address is One Rainbow Trail, Denville.
Call (973) 627-0184 for non-emergencies; For all emergencies dial 911.
MORRIS COUNTY — Embark on a well-paying career in advanced manufacturing by taking part in paid-on-the-job training through the County College of Morris (CCM) CareerAdvance USA apprenticeship program.
The first step to becoming an apprentice in the CareerAdvance USA program is to take part in a boot camp to learn the basic skills needed for employment in advanced manufacturing. The boot camp covers all the advanced manufacturing basics and gives students the opportunity to earn college credits over a six- to a nine-week timeframe. Training takes place in the college’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center, featuring the latest equipment in a high-tech environment.
The Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center at County College of Morris
While the apprenticeship program is offered at no cost, there is a $3,750 fee, plus the purchase of supplies, to take part in the boot camp. There are opportunities for scholarships, funding for those unemployed or underemployed, as well as structured payment options.
It is estimated that over the next decade advanced manufacturing will need to fill 3.4 million jobs with most of those positions being related to the pending retirement of baby boomers. Along with good job prospects, the field pays well with an average starting salary of $45,000 to $65,000 plus benefits after completing an apprenticeship.
If a career in advanced manufacturing interests you, join one of the Virtual Info Sessions to learn how to prepare for an apprenticeship. The sessions take place on Wednesdays. The upcoming sessions are:
September 15 at 12:00 noon
September 29 at 2:00 p.m.
October 13 at 5:00 p.m.
October 27 at 9:00 a.m.
November 10 at 2:00 p.m.
November 17 at 5:00 p.m.
December 8 at 2:00 p.m.
To learn more about CCM’s advanced manufacturing apprenticeship program and to register for an information session click here or email CareerUSA@ccm.edu.
PARSIPPANY — Sons of Italy Morris County Chapter 2561 recently donated to Local Charities.
Sons of Italy purchased over $1,500 in gift cards and donated them to local charities and families. They were donated to help families for the start of school. They help whenever they can. Some of the charities included Parsippany Food Pantry, JBWS Women’s Shelter among others.
The Morris County of the Order of Sons of Italy Lodge 2561 is an affiliated member of the Order of the Sons of Italy In America Association, the largest and longest established Italian-American organization in the United States.
Morris County Lodge was founded as a non-profit organization, which contributes thousands of dollars to worthwhile local charities and families. The lodge is proud to be able to serve a small portion of needs to our local communities. Donations include, but are not limited to, The Parsippany Food Pantry, High School Scholarships, Gift cards to families in need, The Valerie Fund, Alzheimer’s, and many more.
For more information on how to join, please email John Ionero, President, at MorrisSOI2561@gmail.com.
