PARSIPPANY — Building on the Township’s efforts to align with Sustainable Jersey’s environmental goals, the Parsippany Green Team announced plans to crowdsource a township-wide audit of every storm drain through a user-friendly mobile app, called iVolunteer.
Between now and August 15, The Parsippany Green Team needs to get as many volunteers as possible to take part in cataloging storm drains along 900 streets and over 100 businesses in Parsippany.
“It sounds like a lot to do in a short amount of time,” acknowledged Srini Eda, a Green Team volunteer, and creator of the Storm Drain Audit. “But if we can get 100 people to sign up to take part in this, we can have the whole project completed in a matter of a few weeks.”
Users can install the iVolunteer app on their mobile devices, then select from a list of streets needing photos. Users then upload their photos of each storm drain along a street into the app’s database until the street completed.
The biggest reason for this initiative is evident after any significant storm makes its way through Parsippany. Often after storms roll through, bottles, garbage, and debris stretch along gutters and roads, flowing into waterways, and ultimately back into the water residents drink.
Sadly, this is far from an isolated issue. According to recent estimates, the Atlantic Ocean is filled with nearly 220 million tons of plastic waste. This plastic breaks down into smaller particles that fish and other organisms eat, disrupting their ecosystem, and ultimately making its way back into our own food.
“The Storm Drain Audit is an important step in combatting water pollution locally,” said Eda. “Once we know what our storm drains look like, we’ll get a better understanding of what changes are needed to stormwater and runoff management.” This could include adding more restrictive storm drain plates that have been shown to greatly reduce downstream plastic and garbage scattering by containing it at the source.
Volunteers completing 10 or more streets between now and August 15 will be recognized by the Parsippany Green Team. Students in Parsippany schools can even earn Community Service hours by taking part in this effort.
“This stormwater audit project is the first of its kind in New Jersey,” said Eda. “There’s no blueprint on how to do this sort of thing. But we need to come up with real solutions on how we can reduce the plastic pollution in our streams and waterways, and we’re going to need our community’s help along the way. It’s just the right thing to do.”
For more information on the Storm Drain Audit, email admin@keepmystreetgreen.org. To download the iVolunteerApp, click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Come out for the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter Shred Event! Do you have paper piled up? In need of a good shredding? Bring your unwanted paper to the SHRED-A-THON on Saturday, June 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon in the parking lot of Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, 194 Route 10 West.
Watch as your unwanted personal and/or business papers are safely and conveniently shredded and disposed of on-site in a matter of minutes.
We suggest a donation of $10.00 per banker’s box of paper. All proceeds will support the homeless animals at Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter.
PARSIPPANY — On behalf of the students, parents, and staff members involved with Project Graduation for the Class of 2021 they would like to thank the supporters for their continued support of this activity. All contributions are used to defray the costs of supplies, rental fees, and entertainment.
It is because of your continued support that Project Graduation in Parsippany is a success. The parents, students, and staff of the Class of 2021 thank you for your continued support!
A.J. O’Connor Associates Inc.
Acorn Carpet Care
Acorn Home Improvements, Inc.
Action Carpet Care & Maintenance
Advanced Electronic Medical Billing, Inc.
Advocare, LLC
Anthony Franco
Alan Jay Rich, LLC
Alan Rauchberg, DMD Dental Group PA
All-Ways Advertising
Anthony & Sons Bakery
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill
Baldwin Bagel
Baldwin Pizza
Bedding Shoppe
Bharathi Thyagarajan
BJ’S of Ledgewood
Brooklawn PTSA
Caggiano Orthodontics, LLC
Central PTSA
Cerbo Lumber & Hardware
Colonial Heights, LLC
Custom Decorators Workroom, LLC
Cutting Edge Landscaping of NJ LLC
Denville Dental Group
Dia-Dent Designs, Inc.
Dunkin Donuts, Lake Hiawatha
Eastlake School PTA
Council Vice President Loretta Gragnani
Council President Michael J. dePierro
Empirical Labs Inc.
Floyd Hall Arena
Foodtown of Lake Hiawatha
Parsippany High PTSA
Parsippany Hills PTSA
Parsippany-Troy Hills Elks Lodge No. 2078
Partridge Run Management LLC
Patel Family
Paul Miller Porsche
Paul’s Diner
Priola Funeral Service, Inc.
PTF Sports
PTLLW, Inc.
Randy A. Spector – Family Medicine of Morris
Red Iron Technologies
Ritschel Chiropractic & Wellness
Robert J. Iracane
Rockaway Meadow PTA
Roth Children’s Center, LLC
Saint Peter the Apostle Church
Severna Operations, Inc.
ShopRite of Greater Morristown
ShopRite of Parsippany
Fuddruckers of Parsippany
Garofalo O’Neill Ruggierio, LLC
Gourmet Café
Gripp Plumbing & Heating, LLC
Hills of Troy Neighborhood Association
Himanshu & Devani Patel
Hollister Construction Services
Home Depot of Parsippany
I.B.E.W. Local Union No. 102
Intervale School PTA
James N. Greenlees
Kiwanis Club of Greater Pars
Kings Food Market
Knollwood Elementary School PTA
Lake Hiawatha Country Club, Inc.
Lake Hiawatha PTA
Lake Parsippany PTA
Littleton PTA
M. Bernstein & Sons – Newark Tobacco & Candy Co., Inc.
Matthew A. Snyder, CPA, LLC
Matthew Pierone – Pier-Gerald LLC
McDonald’s (Nandrian Corporation)
McDonald’s Parsippany
Michael Konner
Montclair Radiological Association
Morris County Building Trades
Morris Hills Veterinary Clinic
Mount Tabor PTA
Napoli Transportation, Inc. TIA C&L Towing
Northvail PTA
Palermo’s Pizza
Paradise Total Spa and Nails
Parsippany Foot & Ankle LLC
ShopRite STARS Program
St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church
Stop & Shop of Morris Plains
Sunrise Shoprite of Parsippany LLC
Susan Kroeger
The Michael Konner Corporation
Theresa Gerber and Elena Gerber
Thom-Mist, Inc.
Triple Crown Sports
Troy Hills Elementary School PTA
U A Pipefitters Local 274 of Journeymen & Apprentices
of the Plumbing & Pipefitting Industry
Veterans of Foreign Wars – Post 10184
Virginia Hendrickson
Wan Fu Yuan, Inc.
Wegmans – Hanover
Whole Foods of Parsippany
William F. Masters Jr., P.P. LLC
Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills
PARSIPPANY — Want to help out parents of newborns? Here’s your chance! The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, in collaboration with Mutual Morris, is holding a Township Diaper Drive next weekend, June 25-27 at Town Hall, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.
Donate brand new, sealed baby wipes and diapers of any size and we’ll get them directly to families in need.
PARSIPPANY — The Republican Parsippany Primary Election is still not over. As of noon on Friday, June 18, provisional ballots are still pending. The election was held on Tuesday, June 8, or ten days ago and the results are still unofficial.
Morris County has 390,765 registered voters and only 56,086 ballots were cast or 14.35%.
The last update posted on the Morris County Elections website was on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at 10:51 a.m.
Although the Morris County Board of Elections would not disclose how many provisional votes were remaining uncounted in Parsippany, they assured me they would all be counted today and the final numbers will be released by the end of the day. Unconfirmed sources told Parsippany Focus there are approximately 130 provisional votes not counted.
Candidate
Position
June 8
June 16
Additional
Louis Valori
Mayor
2,013
2,108
95
James Barberio
Mayor
2,275
2,308
33
Justin Musella
Council
1,763
1,839
76
Gary Martin
Council
1,629
1,711
82
Frank Neglia
Council
1,758
1,783
25
Deborah Orme
Council
1,485
1,507
22
Robert Peluso
Council
1,269
1,299
30
Council candidate Frank Neglia leads Gary Martin by 72 votes.
A paper ballot (provisional ballot) is used by a voter when there is some problem in establishing a voter’s eligibility. The ballot will be counted only if election officials determine that the person was in fact entitled to vote.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Focus has learned from numerous reliable sources that Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Andrew Miller has submitted his retirement.
According to Peter Koerella, Public Information Officer, he has confirmed that Chief Miller submitted his retirement effective July 1, 2021.
Miller has retired with 30 years of service in good standing.
In addition “At this time the Township has not named an intern or permanent Chief. Parsippany is Civil Service and will be holding a test for eligible candidates. We don’t know the details of the test at this time.”
Police Chief Andrew Miller was sworn in as Parsippany’s Police Chief by Mayor Michael Soriano on Thursday, March 15, 2018.
At the time of his swearing-in, Soriano said he was the eighth chief in the history of Parsippany.
Miller replaced Paul Philipps who retired on February 28, 2018.
PARSIPPANY — There has been an understandable concern in the community about the School Resource Officer program and its essential value to our students, teachers, and the Township.
It has been stated before, but it absolutely bears repeating under no uncertain terms: the SRO program must continue and will continue.
The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is in full support of the SRO program. It is the shared belief of both the Township Council and Mayor Soriano that SRO and Class III officers are as important to our community as our entire police force. There has never been any wavering in support of this program.
As has been stated before, negotiations are ongoing. The discussion has never been about whether or not to fund the program – it will be funded. The discussion centers around where the funding comes from. It’s a critical discussion taking place between the Township, its Council, and the Board of Education. Whether funding comes from Board of Education budget, or the Township budget, the SRO Program is a shared service funded collectively by the Parsippany taxpayer.
The Mayor, Town Council, and the Board of Education all understand that this program is important when it comes to the safety of our schools, our students, and our teachers.
One thing must be emphasized throughout these negotiations: every single person involved in this discussion wants the same thing – to have a strong and supported SRO program. We all embrace the importance and immeasurable value of this program to our community, and it’s up to each and every one of us to come to a fair and equitable agreement in sustaining the program and all the incredible work being done.
As all parties involved look forward to an amenable agreement, it is important to remember that these negotiations are a process, guided by sound fiscal practices, and a commitment to protecting our schools. We are all confident that a fair solution to this matter will be reached in the weeks to come.
MORRIS COUNTY — Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker announce the promotion of several members of the investigative team within the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. The following members will be promoted and assigned as indicated:
Acting Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Deputy Chief Robert McNally, and Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker
Captain Robert M. McNally will be promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief of Investigations and will oversee the Investigative Division. A graduate of the West Point Command and Leadership Program and a United States Marine Corps veteran, Deputy Chief McNally began his law enforcement career in 1996 with the United States Customs Service. In 2003, he was hired by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office as a detective and was initially assigned to the Intelligence Unit and the Professional Standards Unit. In 2005, he was re-assigned to the Major Crimes Unit where he worked for approximately the next 12 years, being promoted to sergeant in 2011. After being promoted to lieutenant in 2013, he was transferred to the Specialized Crimes Division, where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Professional Standards Unit, Financial Crimes, Missing Persons, Juvenile and Domestic Violence Units. Promoted to captain in 2016, he most recently oversaw the Courts and Administrative Division, which encompasses the General Investigations Unit, the Pre-Trial Services Unit, and the Firearms/Training Unit.
Deputy Chief McNally has earned several recognitions during his law enforcement service, including being honored as “Detective of the Year” by the Morris County Detective’s Association in 2007 for his work on a homicide investigation, and his direct involvement in a federal, one million dollar currency seizure related to narcotics smuggling. He is also a Firearms Instructor, Hostage Crisis Negotiator, a former member of the Tactical Narcotics Team, and a bagpiper with the Morris County Police Pipes and Drums.
Acting Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Captain Steven Brylinski, and Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker
Lieutenant Steven M. Brylinski will be promoted to the rank of Captain and command the Tactical Division. Captain Brylinski began his law enforcement career with the Investigative Division of the Waterfront Commission of the New York Harbor in 2002, assigned to the Port Newark, New Jersey, field office. He joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 2005 as a detective assigned to the Professional Standards Unit, the Sex Crimes/ Child Endangerment Unit, the Arson/ Environmental Crimes function within the Major Crimes Unit, and in 2012, was reassigned to the Major Crimes Unit. While assigned to the Major Crimes Unit, Captain Brylinski has earned recognitions from the Morris County Detective’s Association and New Jersey Homicide Investigators Association. Promoted to the rank of sergeant, in 2015, he was transferred to the Sex Crimes/ Child Endangerment, as the unit sergeant, until being promoted to the rank of lieutenant and remaining with the Sex Crimes/ Child Endangerment Unit. In 2019, he was assigned as the lieutenant to supervise the Professional Standards Unit, the Arson/ Environmental Crimes Unit, and the Financial Crimes Unit. Captain Brylinski holds a Bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University and a Master’s degree from Seton Hall University.
Sergeant Mark L. Castellano will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and will continue to be assigned to the Firearms, Training, and Humane Law Enforcement units. Having begun his law enforcement career in 1999 with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Lieutenant Castellano joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 2002, being assigned to the Special Enforcement Unit. Promoted to detective supervisor in 2006, he was transferred to the Professional Standards Unit. While at this rank, he was assigned to the Intelligence Unit, Community Affairs Unit, Fugitive Unit, Juvenile/Missing Persons Unit, Special Enforcement Unit within the Special Operations Division, Training/Firearms Unit where he was the Training Coordinator and Supervising Firearms Instructor, and General Investigations Unit. In 2018, he was promoted to the rank of detective sergeant, where he assumed the responsibilities of Training Coordinator/Supervising Firearms Instructor, Chief Humane Law Enforcement Officer, Master Resiliency Trainer, and Master Implicit Bias Trainer.
Lieutenant Castellano has been a member of the Tactical Narcotics Team and the Rapid Deployment Team, and he is a Firearms Instructor, Police Training Commission Certified Instructor, Field Training Officer, Accreditation Manager, Defensive Tactics Instructor, North Region Master Resiliency Trainer, ASP Instructor. He has taught at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy for the last fifteen years.
Sergeant Michael J. Gomez will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and will be assigned to supervise the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment and Megan’s Law units. A United States Army veteran, Lieutenant Gomez started his career in law enforcement as a patrol officer in Randolph Township. He joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 2013 and was assigned to the General Investigations Unit, and later the Juvenile/Missing Persons Unit, the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, and Major Crimes Unit. In 2016, Lieutenant Gomez was promoted to the rank of detective supervisor within the Major Crimes Unit. In 2018, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant within the Intelligence /Homeland Security and High Tech Crimes Units. In 2020, he was transferred back to the Major Crimes Unit in the role of sergeant.
Lieutenant Gomez holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and a Master’s Degree in Justice Administration and Public Service. He has been awarded multiple Life-Saving awards and other honors, including the Bronze Star Medal by then-Secretary of the Army John McHugh. Lieutenant Gomez still serves in the US Army Reserves and is currently assigned as a Special Agent within the Army’s Criminal Investigation Command.
Sergeant Joseph M. Soulias will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and will supervise the Professional Standards, Insurance Fraud/Financial Crimes, and Arson/Environmental Crimes units. Lieutenant Soulias began his law enforcement career in 1986 as a State Trooper with the New Jersey State Police. He was assigned to the Organized Crime Unit, the Official Corruption Unit, detective sergeant of the Missing Persons Unit, detective sergeant first class of the Document Fraud Squad, and the lieutenant of the Missing Persons Unit. In 2013, Lieutenant Soulias joined the Morris County Sheriff’s Office as a detective assigned to Cold Case Homicide Investigations. He joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 2015, being assigned to the General Investigations Unit and Financial Crimes Unit. In 2017, he was promoted to detective supervisor assigned to supervise the Financial Crimes, Insurance Fraud, Professional Standards and
Arson/Environmental Crimes Unit of the Specialized Crimes Division. He was promoted to detective sergeant in 2018 and assigned to supervise the Financial Crimes, Insurance Fraud, Professional Standards, and Arson/Environmental Crimes Unit of the Specialized Crimes Division.
Lieutenant Soulias holds a Bachelor’s degree from Trenton State College and a Master’s degree from Seton Hall University. He is also a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist and has been a member of the Morris County Crisis Negotiation Team since 2015.
Acting Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Sergeant Sasha L. Gould, Sergeant Janine M. Buchalski, and Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker
Detective Supervisor Janine Buchalski will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant and will be assigned to supervise the Professional Standards, Insurance Fraud/Financial Crimes, and Arson/Environmental Crimes units. Sergeant Buchalski started with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office as a victim advocate in 2004. In 2008, she was promoted to the rank of detective and during that time, assigned to the General Investigations, On-Call Missing Persons, Domestic Violence, and the Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Units. In 2012, she joined the Division of Criminal Justice, where she was assigned to the Government Corruption Bureau. In 2015, Sergeant Buchalski joined the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation as a special agent. She returned to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 2017 and was assigned to the Professional Standards Unit, where she was promoted to detective supervisor in 2020. She is the first female Morris County Prosecutor’s Office fire investigator.
Sergeant Buchalski has been recognized by the Morris County Detective’s Association and is a classroom, firearms, defensive tactics, and physical training instructor.
Detective Supervisor Sasha L. Gould will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant and will be assigned to supervise the Major Crimes Unit. Detective Supervisor Gould began her law enforcement career in 2009 with the New Jersey Transit Police Department, where she worked as a police officer, in both a uniform and plain-clothes capacity, and was assigned to a robbery and narcotics task force with the Newark Police Department. In 2013, she joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office as a detective. During her tenure with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Sergeant Gould has been assigned to the Professional Standards Unit, Financial Crimes Unit, Bias Crimes Unit, Major Crimes Unit, and Intelligence/Homeland Security Units. Promoted to detective sergeant in 2019, she was assigned to the Major Crimes Unit, Missing Persons, Juvenile Unit, and Domestic Violence Unit.
Sergeant Gould holds a Bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University and has received commendations for her Morris County service.
Acting Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Sergeant Thomas M. Joiner, and Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker
Detective Supervisor Thomas M. Joiner will be promoted to the rank of Sergeant and will be assigned to supervise the Intelligence/Homeland Security units. Starting with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office as an intern in 2009, Sergeant Joiner was hired as an analyst in 2010 and became an agent. In 2012, he was promoted to detective. Following graduation from the Basic Police Academy, Sergeant Joiner was assigned to the General Investigations Unit before being transferred to the Intelligence Unit, which integrated the Homeland Security Unit. In 2018, he was promoted to detective supervisor and assigned supervision of the Intelligence Unit, the Homeland Security Unit, and the High Tech Crimes Unit. In 2020, he supervised the new Morris County Auto Theft Task Force, created in conjunction with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and the Morris County Police Chiefs Association.
Sergeant Joiner holds a Master’s degree from Northeastern University and is certified as an expert witness in Electronic Surveillance and Mobile Device Technology. He has served as president of the Morris County Detectives’ Association since 2016 and Quartermaster of the Morris County Rapid Deployment Team since 2015. He is also the County Terrorism Coordinator for Morris County and the Intelligence liaison with both the NJ OHSP and the NJ State Police.
Detective Jimmy W. Atoche will be promoted to the rank of Detective Supervisor and will assist in supervising the Special Enforcement Unit. A United States Army veteran, Detective Supervisor Atoche began his law enforcement career in 2014 with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, responsible for courthouse security and the personal protection of Superior Court judges and their immediate families. In 2015, Detective Supervisor Atoche joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, where he was assigned to the General Investigations Unit and the Domestic Violence Unit before ultimately being assigned in 2016 to the Special Enforcement Unit. In 2019, Detective Supervisor Atoche was assigned to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Transnational Organized Crime and Drug Trafficking Enforcement Task Force.
Detective Supervisor Atoche sits on the Board of Directors for the New Jersey Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association. He has received numerous individual and unit awards and commendations from the NJNEOA and the Special Enforcement Unit. While in Afghanistan, Detective Supervisor Atoche was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge.
Acting Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Detective Supervisor Stephen D. Carro, Detective Supervisor Luis D. Goncalves, and Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker
Detective Stephen D. Carro will be promoted to the rank of Detective Supervisor and will continue to be assigned to the Fugitive Unit. Detective Supervisor Carro embarked on his law enforcement career in 1998 while working at the Juvenile Detention Center. In 1999, he was hired by the Morris County Sheriff’s Office where he worked in Protective Services, Warrants, was a Firearms Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, and was sent on loan multiple times to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. He spent 14 years on the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team, where he was a point man and also a team leader. In 2013, Detective Supervisor Carro joined the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, where he served in the Homicide Task Force, Special Victims Unit, and Firearms Unit. In 2015, Detective Supervisor Carro returned to Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, where he has been assigned to the General Investigations Unit, Major Crimes Unit, Training Coordinator, Firearms Unit, Weapons Return Unit, and currently the Fugitive Unit. Detective Supervisor Carro has held numerous instructor positions and certifications, including being Police Training Commission Certified: MOI Instructor, Firearms Instructor, PT Instructor, and Defensive Tactics Instructor, as well as MEB and PR-24 Instructor.
Detective Luis D. Goncalves will be promoted to the rank of Detective Supervisor and will continue to be assigned to the Arson/Environmental Unit. Detective Supervisor Goncalves began his law enforcement career in 2006 as a police officer with the New York City Police Department, assigned to the 5th Precinct. In 2008, he became a police officer with the Madison Police Department, where he was appointed corporal within the Patrol Division. His duties included serving as a Field Training Officer, an Arson Investigator, a member of the Emergency Services Unit, a member of the Morris County Rapid Deployment Team, a firearms instructor, and was also a past president of the Patrolman Benevolent Association Local 92. He joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 2017 and was assigned to Pre-Trial Services Unit, General Investigations Unit, Insurance Fraud Unit, and Arson/Environmental Unit. He is also is a member of the Crisis Negotiation Team, a member of the Tactical Narcotics Team, a Firearms Instructor, and a trustee with the Patrolman Benevolent Association Local 327.
Detective Supervisor Goncalves attended college at the Bergen Community College, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and is continuing his education with Excelsior College. He is a past volunteer firefighter with the North Arlington Fire Department and served on the executive board of the Portuguese American Police Association. He is a Certified Arson Investigator with the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, a New Jersey Hazmat Technician, and an ATF-trained post-blast investigator. He has received various commendations and recognitions.
Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, Keith J. Franco, and Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll
In addition to the promotions, Keith J. Franco was sworn in as a Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Detective and will be assigned to the Professional Standards Unit. Prior to joining the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Detective Franco served as a detective in the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, a member of the Organized Crime/Gangs Bureau and Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor. He has also held positions as a disability claims manager and project controller in the private sector. Detective Franco holds a Bachelor’s degree from the College of New Jersey, a Master’s degree from Stevens Institute of Technology, and has completed various professional training courses. Formal ceremonies were held on June 14 and June 15, 2021. Acting Prosecutor Carroll said, “We all know that law enforcement is a challenging career. These promotions elevate each promotee to a position of higher trust and sensitivity and reflect our confidence that they will meet and exceed the high standards demanded in professional policing today. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is fortunate enough to have such dedicated and skilled law enforcement professionals, and am I proud to initiate these well-earned promotions to individuals who have demonstrated leadership and distinguished performance.”
PARSIPPANY — Students from Parsippany, Mount Olive, and Randolph have been named as Mayo Performing Arts Center’s June 2021 Music Students of the Month – Outstanding Pianists.
The students will receive a certificate for their honor from MPAC and will be featured on the Music Student of the Month page on the MPAC website.
Typically, MSOM honorees are recognized onstage prior to an MPAC event. Due to restrictions from the pandemic, that is not possible, but MPAC believes it remains important to recognize the achievements of area music students now more than ever.
Students were nominated by their teachers and were chosen by the Theatre’s Education Department based on their commitment to and excellence in the performing arts. The Theatre will honor a group of students every month throughout the season and invites area teachers to nominate students for this honor.
The 2021 Music Student of the Month program is supported by The Walter F. and Alice Gorham Foundation, Inc.
June 2021 MPAC Music Students of the Month:
Jonathon Spirock – Grade 10 – Parsippany High School (Nominated by Gregory Dalakian)
Jonathan Spirock has been a dedicated member of the PHS Bands for the past 2 years. He is primarily a trombone player but learned the marching baritone for the PHS Marching Band before his freshman year and has done a really great job as both an individual player and a role model to his peers. He has continually improved on the trombone these past two years, amidst the challenges of the pandemic, and has excelled in both our Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble. In addition to being a talented musician, Jonathan is reliable and always willing to help the program in any way.
Isobel Stroh – Grade 7 – Brooklawn Middle School, Parsippany (Nominated by Joseph Stella)
Isobel is a very fine French horn player from Brooklawn Middle School. Originally one of our strongest trumpet players, Isobel volunteered to help the balance within the band this year by agreeing to try something new: the French horn. Since her start, she has really done an outstanding job in learning this new instrument and has become a solid player who has tackled many difficult and exposed musical lines with ease. Aside from her musical talent, Isobel is also a very pleasant, polite and respectful student.
MORRIS COUNTY — Bills signed into law without public testimony and meeting notifications without an agenda are pushing one GOP lawmaker to legislate good governance.
“I refuse to let public officials silence the people of New Jersey,” Assemblywoman Aura Dunn said. “Transparency in government is essential to maintaining public trust.”
Dunn currently sponsors a constitutional amendment (ACR144) to require every bill and joint resolution introduced in the Legislature to be heard in committee and is introducing a bill requiring municipal governments to post agendas prior to public meetings.
“We are a government of the people, not over the people,” Dunn (R-Morris) said. “At the very least, advocates and community members should be given an opportunity to voice their concerns, support, and opinions. That is impossible to do when people don’t know what will be discussed at a meeting or meetings are canceled altogether.”
Dunn says the secrecy at the statehouse during the pandemic has been of particular concern. Gov. Phil Murphy and the Democrat majority in Trenton have faced criticism from Republicans and the public for their lack of transparency during the Covid-19 public health emergency.
“From refusing to comply with public records requests to rushing legislation that allows Murphy to maintain many of his executive pandemic powers, the majority party has essentially closed the door on bipartisanship and public input,” Dunn said. “The majority party has kept the majority of New Jersey in the dark for far too long. It’s time we bring more than one party to the table.”
Dunn also noted that Boards of Education are currently only required to alert the public of the location, date, and time of a meeting. Dunn said she is drafting a bill requiring that local governments follow the same announcement rules as the legislature to make sure the public has the opportunity to attend and speak during the public portion.
“Parents have a right to speak to the issues that affect their child’s education,” Dunn explained.
“Both of my bills come back to good governance. It should be a shared experience. Not a one-sided show.”
Out of the approximately 100 bills being considered by Senate and Assembly committees Wednesday, only seven are sponsored by Republicans.
MORRIS COUNTY — Greater financial transparency is needed to lower Medicaid costs for taxpayers and prescription drug prices for beneficiaries says Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce.
A bill she sponsors requiring pharmacy benefit managers working within the Medicaid program to disclose certain financial information to the N.J. Department of Human Services was cleared by an Assembly committee Monday.
Under the bill (A1259/S249), a pharmacy benefits manager providing services within the Medicaid program would be required to disclose all sources and amounts of income, payments, and financial benefits received on behalf of a managed care organization (also known as a health plan), ingredient costs and dispensing fees or similar payments made to pharmacies, and administrative fees.
“By properly monitoring pharmacy benefit managers’ profits, their payment models and use of spread pricing, New Jersey will be better equipped to put a stop to practices that are costing taxpayers and Medicaid beneficiaries,” DeCroce (R-Morris) said.
Spread pricing occurs when pharmacy benefit managers keep a portion of the amount paid to them by the health plans for prescription drugs instead of passing the full payments on to pharmacies. Studies in other states have estimated that prohibiting spread pricing could save Medicaid programs up to $43 million annually.
“Everyone is negatively affected as the prices of prescription drugs rise. For our lower-income residents who forgo important medications to pay the bills to our taxpayers who are suffering under increased state spending, it’s time we reign in these runaway costs,” DeCroce said.
Data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services show that from 2013 to 2017, average state and federal Medicaid spending on prescription drugs increased by more than 14.8% annually. Average Medicaid prescription drug spending as a percentage of state budgets has increased by more than 89% over the past 10 years.
The bill passed the Senate unanimously in February 2020.
PARSIPPANY — Matt Clarkin, Mayor Michael Soriano’s former Chief of Staff, was unanimously re-elected as Chairman of Parsippany Democratic Club.
“Thank you to everyone for unanimously supporting my re-election tonight. I’m proud to say that together, we’ve built an organization that matches our community’s drive, character, and diversity. Together, we’ll keep Parsippany moving forward,” said Clarkin.
Matt has served as Chairman for the past five years.
Betty Lagitch, Co-Chair for Membership, installed new members Susan Byrne and Connie Marchese on Monday, June 14 at the Bi-Annual Salad Supper held at Knoll Park by the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills.
Connie and Susan join an enthusiastic group of volunteers brought together in fellowship and service to promote projects that produce positive outcomes in the areas of education, culture, and civic betterment of the community
New members are always welcome to join the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills, established in 1954. Our club is one of over 200 clubs that make up the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC.
NJSFWC is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service. For more information call Marilyn at 973-539-3703, e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com, check us out on the web www.parsippanywomansclub.org .or follow the club on FACEBOOK, Twitter, and Instagram.
PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on Wednesday, June 16, at 7:30 p.m. This is a continuation of the May 19 meeting. To review that meeting, click here.
Continued hearing the application for GTP Acquisitions, LLC, for a “Senior Living Facility” on a parcel to be subdivided from the property currently occupied by St. Christopher’s Church.
There are signs on most of the properties on Rita Drive except for 21 Rita Drive
In the year-long delay, mainly due to COVID-19, the application has been modified and the access to the project has been revised. All ingress and egress shall be from Littleton Road. The previous design showed ingress and egress from Rita Drive. This has been deleted and is no longer a part of this application.
The project “Thrive at Parsippany” will include a total of 156 units (proposed and future). The project will also include 270 parking spots. 4 spots for Handicapped spaces; 205 spots 9′ x 18′ spaces; 19 spots 8′ x 20′ spaces; 21 garages and 21 driveway spaces.
Proposed Senior Independent / Assisted Living Facility
Assisted / Independent Living
-One Story, Two Bedroom Cottages = 29 Units
-One Story, Two Bedroom Cottages with Garages = 21 Units
Assisted / Independent Living
-One Bedroom Apartments = 38 Units
-Two Bedroom Apartments = 12 Units
Memory Care
-One Bedroom Apartments = 28 Units
– One Bedroom Apartments = 28 Units (Future Use)
According to corporate documents filed with the State of New Jersey, the registered agent of GTP Acquisitions, LLC, is David J. Weiner, 171 Fifth Avenue, Paterson. Pike Construction Company is also located at the same address. David Weiner is a managing member and principal of Pike Construction Co., LLC and has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of the general contracting and real estate development business. Upon graduating from Hamilton College with a B.A. in Economics, David began his career at Pike in the field as an assistant superintendent, then project superintendent.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will be held via a web conferencing program named WebEx. This program will allow the public to listen in to the meeting and to participate during the public portion session only. This program uses a “raise hand” button in the software to address those who wish to speak during the public portion.
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, email address, address and city accurately. Anyone not using their real name and address will not be allowed to speak during the public portion.
Click here to download the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting agenda.
PARSIPPANY — On Thursday, June 10 at approximately 7:55 p.m., Mr. Kevin Zarro, Parsippany, was traveling Westbound on Route 46 West, in the left lane of travel, at the intersection of Cherry Hill Road.
Mr. Bing Han, Mountain Lakes, was traveling Southbound on Cherry Hill Road, in the left lane of travel, at the intersection of Route 46 West.
Mr. Han was making a left turn from Cherry Hill Road onto Route 46 East. Mr. Michael Sacks, Westfield, was traveling Southbound on Cherry Hill Road, in the right lane of travel, at the intersection of Route 46 West. Mr. Sacks was traveling straight and crossing over all lanes of Route 46.
Mr. Zarro stated that just prior to reaching the intersection of Cherry Hill Road he was experiencing glare from the sun. He stated that by the time he got his hand over his eyes to block the sun, the front bumper of his vehicle made contact with the front end of Mr. Han’s vehicle, pushing the Han into the right lane of Route 46 West. The front bumper of Mr. Zarro then struck the driver’s side of Mr. Sacks’ vehicle, pushing the Sack vehicle onto the curbed median between Route 46 East and Route 46 West.
Mr. Zarro then struck the curb and the front bumper made contact with a traffic signal pole, causing it to fall into the roadway and obstruct all lanes of Route 46 East.
A witness statement confirmed the events listed.
Investigating Officer Jesse Hughes said “As stated by Mr. Zarro, *sun glare was a contributing factor to the crash*, and Zarro is at fault due to disregarding a traffic control signal.
Zarro was issued two summons, one for Failure To Observe A Traffic Signal (39:4-81) and Driving an unregistered motor vehicle (39:3-4).
Mr. Kevin Zarro, 59, was transported to Morristown Medical Center.
The Zarro vehicle, a 2008 Dodge Dakota was towed from the scene by Eagle Towing.
The Han vehicle, a 2021 Mercedes GLC was also towed from the scene by Eagle Towing.
The Sacks vehicle, a 2019 BMW X3 was also towed from the scene by Eagle Towing.
The traffic light remained on Route 46 Eastbound until cleaned up by the DOT
PARSIPPANY — On Friday, June 4 at approximately 4:15 p.m., Ms. Victoria Oneill was driving a 1998 GMC Truck and making a left turn from Freneau Road onto Parsippany Road.
The vehicle right off the roadway and crashed into a curb, went over the curb, crashed into
various bushes, a fence, and a tree before coming to rest on the property of 380
Parsippany Road.
Oneill stated that as she was making a left turn when she experienced an issue with the steering wheel that did not allow her to properly correct the wheel after initiating the turn.
Both occupants of the vehicle were evaluated for injuries on scene by Par-Troy Emergency Medical Services and refused any further treatment or transport.
The registered owner arrived on the scene and advised that the vehicle recently had mechanical issues with regard to its steering, but underwent repair prior to the crash.
Investigating Officer Denis DeMuro was on scene and observed roadway conditions as wet. He observed the vehicle with disabling front end damage, due to the head-on impact with the tree. Extensive damage to other property was observed, including a fence, various bushes, and a 6″-8″ caliper tree, which fell over as a result of the impact from the vehicle.
No summons was issued and the vehicle was towed from the scene by Eagle Towing.
PARSIPPANY —Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Meeting will hold a regular meeting, Tuesday, June 15 at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. and portions of the meeting are open for public comments.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education President and Republican Candidate for Council responds to the previous press release. (Click here to read article)
I was disappointed to read the Mayor’s press release putting politics above our duty to Parsippany’s students.
Politics do not have a place in these SRO agreement negotiations.
I have always put our community first, having spent 15 years on the school board, five and a half years as Board President, 25 years as president of our Little League Program, over 20 years as chairman of the Recreation advisory committee, and I have served the Challenger League for special needs children. I am proud to have been named citizen of the year twice for my work with children.
Our students’ needs have always and will always take priority over my own.
Mayor Soriano refused, first a three-year SRO agreement, then a one-year SRO agreement and is now passing the buck onto the School Board.
Leaders lead, failed politicians point the finger.
The attorney for the Board of Education was told that “Mayor and Council” rejected both the traditional three-year deal as well as a proposed one-year deal which would allow the administration to “figure out” the “costs” associated with those officers. However, the cost of this program has already been built into the Board’s approved budget.
Because this mayor cannot manage a budget, and as noted by our Board Attorney, he is asking “the Board to renegotiate the terms of even a one-year agreement with only weeks left in the school year. We need to remember that these are all taxpayer dollars – it comes out of the same pocket.”
The Mayor can point the finger all he wants, but ultimately, we need a deal NOW to secure the SRO Program to protect our students.
MORRIS COUNTY — Unmask Montville Township is a group for parents who are disturbed that their children are being forced to wear masks all day at school. They are looking to end-mask mandates in our school system.
The group wants to “support parental choice and encouraging our district to speak up for our children.”
“The BOE will present a plan Tuesday that will be going to the state. We need our voices heard before that plan is sent. We have requested the board and superintendent to send a letter to the governor encouraging him to support parental choice with face coverings. When that was denied we asked them to conduct a survey to see if parental support was there for it and that was also denied. We conducted our own poll and the results were overwhelmingly in favor. We can no longer be ignored and need to make a statement In a positive way,” posted by the group.
Mask free school districts include Upper Saddle River, River Vale, West Milford, Aura, Delsea, Scotch Plains, Paramus (high school and elementary), Fairfield, Wayne, Point Pleasant Boro, Mantua, Pittsgrove Township, Gloucester Township, Jackson, West Milford, Vernon Township, Plumsted Township, Little Egg Harbor, Old Bridge, Toms River, Pleasant Valley, Brick Township, Deptford Township, South River Primary School, Central Regional/Bayville, Cherokee, Lower Alloways Creek, Sewell, Bollendorf, Ocean Gate, Franklin Lakes, Marlboro, Medford Lakes, Triton, RV, Memorial, Cape May County (Avalon, Stone Harbor, Wildwood Crest, Middle Township, Lower Township, Upper Township, Wildwood Catholic), Freehold, Howell, Manalapan, Middletown, Roxbury, Lacey, Clark, Wyckoff, Oakland, Southern Regional, Pine Hill, Berkeley, Lenape, Harrison Township, Stafford, New Egypt, Manasquan, Keansburg, Waterworks, Lumberton and Washington Township schools.
Assemblyman Jay Webber and Assembly Republican Candidate Christian Barranco, Phil Rizzo were among the attendees.
Approximately 100 parents showed up at a morning rally across the street from Lazar Middle School
Assemblyman Jay Webber and State Senator Joe Pennachio speaks to parents about unmasking their children
The following letter was mailed to the local Senators and members of the Assembly.
Dear Honorable Senator or Assemblyperson:
I write to express my opposition to proposed assembly bill A5777, which purports to end the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Unfortunately, the bill does not end the emergency. In fact, it continues the emergency and many of its measures, including the mask mandate on school children.
The bill grants Governor Murphy and all the administrative agencies in the Executive Branch unprecedented powers to dictate the minutia of New Jersey citizens. The bill keeps school children fully masked in school and opens the possibility that, in order to remove masks, school children will have no option but to be vaccinated with non-FDA-approved vaccine candidates with emergency use authorization substances over the will and consideration of their parents. This is coercive and unnecessary. There is no reason or scientific exigency that would require such extreme powers or measures as it is widely known and accepted that children bear the lowest risk and are virtually at 0 risks of hospitalization or death.
Moreover, bill A5777 does nothing to end the State of Emergency declared under EO 103 pursuant to the Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act, NJSA App. A:9-30 et seq., which remains in full force and effect indefinitely. There is no rational justification for a continuing state of emergency other than for the Governor and his executive departments to hold the extraordinary power to send National Guard troops to enforce executive policies and directives. The present facts and circumstances do not support the necessity for A5777 or the continuation of its heavy-handed, draconian measures. The Governor and his executive departments do not need such immense power. Accordingly, I respectfully and strongly urge you to oppose the passage of bill A5777.
The following letter was mailed to the local Senators and members of the Assembly.