PARSIPPANY — Continuing his commitment to ensuring that students have access to a high-quality education, Governor Phil Murphy announced that upon the conclusion of this school year, portions of Executive Order 175 allowing remote learning will be rescinded, meaning that schools will be required to provide full-day, in-person instruction, as they were prior to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
“When schools across New Jersey first closed their doors in March of last year, little was known about COVID-19 and how it spread. But over a year has passed, and we are now facing a very different reality,” said Governor Murphy. “With our health metrics trending decisively in the right direction, the significant progress we have made in our vaccination effort, and vaccines now available to those as young as 12, we are in a position to get our students back into the classroom full-time come fall. We know that there is no substitute for in-person education and know that a full opening of our schools is critical to the well-being of our students.”
“Over the past year we have made the health of our students and school staff a top priority, and stakeholders in all of our school communities have done a commendable job of weathering this storm,” said Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Acting Commissioner of Education. “Now we turn a corner, and students, educators, and parents throughout New Jersey can look forward to the full return to safe in-person instruction at the start of the 2021–2022 school year. Local Educational Agencies will continue to adhere to Individualized Education Programs, 504 Plans, and the Home Instruction needs of their students.”
While school districts will be required to fully open buildings beginning Fall 2021, remote learning will be permitted in the event that there is a localized outbreak or other emergencies. If buildings are open for in-person instruction, parents or guardians will not be able to opt out of in-person instruction.
Summer camps and summer educational programming for Summer 2021 will not be impacted and will still be required to follow relevant health and safety protocols.
PARSIPPANY — The Township Council for the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 7:00 p.m, in the Parsippany Police Athletic League (PAL) Youth Center located at 33 Baldwin Road.
This meeting is an in-person meeting and will follow all the COVID-19 protocols. Formal action may or may not be taken, and any other action reasonably related thereto may also be taken.
MORRIS COUNTY — Jessie’s ideal home would be one where she gets all the attention! She’s a real lap hog. Jessie needs insulin shots twice a day so the family must be comfortable administering these (she doesn’t even flinch!) and be home more often than not. Kids: 10 years or older; Dogs: may be able to live with another relaxed, older dog; Cats: may be able to live with another relaxed, older cat; Crate Trained: Jessie prefers the couch or her bed–she’s a princess! House Trained: Yes. Leash Manners: Enjoys short walks and is fine on leash. She does bark at other dogs when they pass
Personality: Cuddles. Snuggles. Repeat. This is life with Jessie. The kind of snuggle partner family members fight over because everyone wants her on them all the time and she wants the same. Jessie is friendly, happy, and really enjoys the company of other people.
Health: Jessie requires insulin twice a day, 12 hours apart. Her current schedule is to get them at 730am and 730pm time and she needs a family who can commit to this schedule. She was used for breeding to excess and you can see the toll on her stretched-out body. She had untreated diabetes and cataracts and, within two weeks of arriving to WISE, she lost her vision completely and we began the journey to find the right dose of insulin which she requires now twice a day forever.
Why did she come to WISE?: Jessie was no longer useful to her breeder and was surrendered to the rescue after years of overbreeding. If you are interested in adopting, please fill out an application on our website by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — On May 4, the Township Council expressed concern about the proposed special emergency note of $5 million that’s been requested to balance the budget. A special emergency note is a short-term public financing option, which is typically amortized for 1 year. This emergency note, however, will be amortized in 5 years. It’s a one-time exception, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted our Township and so many communities across the country.
Let me be very clear – we are still working our way through the worst health crisis this country has seen in over 100 years. Small businesses, non-profits, schools, banks, and nearly every aspect of the country’s economy have been devastated over the past year.
Revenues for municipalities across the country were ravaged by COVID-19, and our Township was not spared from this fallout. It’s not just Parsippany that is reeling from this.
However, a combination of poor fiscal practices from the previous administration led to an absence of revenue surpluses across all departments. Now, coupled with a global pandemic that shook the country’s financial institutions to their core, Parsippany is facing a budgetary storm that we must address and correct today.
As you may have heard, Parsippany stands to receive over $5.7 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act. This funding will go a long way toward bringing Parsippany back to a fiscally prudent standing, and we have the federal government to thank for this assistance. But this relief won’t be coming to the Township as quickly as we would hope. The most we can expect is half of that before the end of the year. We have bills to pay now. This is not just some abstract allocation of finances. Township operations may be at stake. The water we drink, the garbage that’s collected, the emergency services we rely on, all of them are vulnerable to cease operation if we cannot pay for them to operate.
This is why this emergency note is critical. We will have the money to pay this off, but like thousands of cities and towns have been forced to address, it’s going to take careful and precise financial prudence to work our way back to balance and fiscal responsibility.
It may be convenient for some to forget what our residents and Township have gone through over the past year and a half, in favor of scoring some political points. We have no time to waste playing political games, we must properly implement this funding to help assist our taxpayers now, and make our Township finances whole again. This starts with approving this special emergency note.
PARSIPPANY — A bipartisan group of council members expressed concern about the Soriano administration’s recent budget presentation which is centered on taking out a $5M loan in order to balance the budget. The council was unanimous in voicing their opinion that the administration has not provided sufficient information that would allow them to make an informed decision.
Council President Michael dePierro
Council President Michael dePierro asserted that the budget presented by the administration is not legitimate and will cause a drastic tax increase in 2022. He reaffirmed his position in an email to Parsippany Focus, stating “The $5 million cannot be used as revenue, therefore the administration cannot use it to balance the budget. Until the administration submits a balanced budget to the Township Council, we do not even have a budget to consider.” In addition, the budget received by the council reflects a current fund balance of less than $1,000; $10 to $15M below operating guidelines.
Soriano indicated that he is unlikely to budge on his demand to include the $5M bond and attempted to shift responsibility for the crisis to the council noting in a comment to Parsippany Focus, “The Township Council can either accept the budget by voting yes on the loan and accepting the budget as is, or they could come up with their own plan that could result in a layoff of essential employees and higher taxes for homeowners.”
Councilwoman Janice McCarthy
Councilmember Janice McCarthy said “The five-million-dollar bond is an integral part of the budget. If it is necessary, I will approve it, but so far that has not been demonstrated. Before committing to borrow $5M, I feel it is the council’s obligation to taxpayers to fully understand the budget presented by the administration in early April. Currently, we are in process of speaking with township auditors and seeking clarification on technical issues that were raised. While I would like to approve the Mayor’s budget, if what I have heard so far is confirmed, it appears we could be at a stalemate.”
Councilmember Emily Peterson stated, “The council and finance committee were not given an opportunity to be involved in the budget process in order for a consensus to be reached before the council was asked to vote on the $5M bond at the April 6th council meeting”, adding that the administration was not transparent during the process. “This council has worked together over the years to build trust and a sense of common purpose for the good of Parsippany. This bond is no different. We are currently in the process of getting the information required to make an informed and pragmatic decision and once that process is complete, we can move forward with a clear understanding of the administration’s ask.”
Another issue uncovered during the meeting was the revelation that the Township has exhausted all banked tax increase cap. CFO Juan Uribe acknowledged that while more than a 2% tax increase is likely required to cover the deficit, the town is limited to a 2% increase without making a request for an exception adding, “our backs are against the wall.”
Proposed tax increases in excess of 3% over the past few years have become normality for Parsippany residents with the Soriano administration placing the blame squarely with the prior Republican administration for years of financial mismanagement. While expenditures have steadily increased revenues have not kept pace and budgetary gimmicks that began under the Barberio administration like depleting utility surpluses have been increasingly relied on to cover current fund operating deficits. This has resulted in major increases this year in utility rates for Parsippany residents, with additional increases expected over the next few years. McCarthy pointed out that overutilization of the utility surplus over the past 12 years has created an ongoing operating deficit (estimated at $2M) that remains unresolved.
“My administration has worked very hard on the 2021 budget this was made difficult because of the unprecedented crisis that we are about to emerge from. Understanding that so many residents are dealing with their own financial hurdles we labored to introduce to the council a fair and fiscally responsible budget with a 1.5% increase. We have done everything in our power to keep your taxes low while maintaining the level of services our residents have come to expect. Because of the 2020 revenue shortfalls that municipalities from all over New Jersey are dealing with, the State will allow us to borrow $5 million to make up that shortfall,” said Mayor Soriano.
Business Administrator Frederick C. Carr stated “No comment on draft budget documents.”
Soriano is running unopposed for re-election in this year’s Democratic primary and will face either former Republican Councilmember Lou Valori or former Republican Mayor James Barberio in November. None of the current members of the Parsippany township council are up for reelection this year with Councilmembers Janice McCarthy and Emily Peterson declining to run.
The Township Council will meet on Tuesday, May 18. Due to recently relaxed occupancy rules, the council announced that it would hold meetings at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center, 33 Baldwin Road. The meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.
PARSIPPANY — Of all the industries devastated by COVID, hotels have perhaps been hit the hardest — and far worse than occupancy rates would suggest.
The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills passed an ordinance on August 12, 2003, requiring a 3% charge for every occupancy of a hotel or motel room in the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills effective July 1, 2004. This amount is the maximum authorized amount approved by the State of New Jersey. (Click here to download ordinance). The Municipal Occupancy Tax is in addition to the State Occupancy Fee and the New Jersey Sales Tax.
The sign that was posted on the door of Fairfield Inn
One of Parsippany’s hotels, as an example, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, located at 3535 Route 46 East at Cherry Hill Road has been closed for months due to COVID-19. They recently reopened on May 6, 2021, after being closed for over a year. Other Parsippany hotels have been experiencing single-digit occupancies during COVID-19 causing Parsippany to lose drastic amounts in Municipal Occupancy Tax.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, located at 3535 Route 46 East at Cherry Hill Road
In 2019, the Township received $2,662,442.93 in Municipal Occupancy Tax revenue.
In 2020, the amount of Municipal Occupancy Tax was a little over 39% of the 2019 revenue or $1,040,512.04.
Municipal Occupany tax from hotels from January through April was down 75 percent from the same time in 2019. That is a difference of over $500,000 just the first four months of 2021.
The Municipal Occupancy Tax is not imposed when the occupant is a New Jersey State or federal agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision; the United Nations; or any other international organization of which the United States is a member as long as the occupancy is paid with government funds; space is rented for the purpose of assembly (e.g. a meeting, seminar, wedding, etc.); or occupancy lasts for at least 90 consecutive days.
MORRIS COUNTY — If you are a world traveler and fortunate enough to take that 8,000 miles plus trip to India, you would probably quickly notice that all along their highways you will find numerous small, rustic, roadside eateries serving whatever local cuisine is common for that region. These comforting and charming eateries, known for their tasty, healthy, satisfying food are called “Dhaba”.
A spacious, classy, and somewhat upscale ambiance awaits you within
Many people must travel far and wide to find a top-notch, truly authentic, traditional Indian restaurant with all those savory and unique tastes and spices that this fare is known for. If you are not up for that 8000-mile trip at this moment but happen to be a long-time fan of Indian cuisine, or just want to experience a different, and fun, culinary adventure, you will find Jashan by Dhaba more than ready to fill that need. Located right on Route 46 West in an attractive looking, stand-alone building, with eye-catching attractive, orange signage, Jashan by Dhaba, which describes itself as an Indian and Indo-Chinese Restaurant and Party Hall, literally translates to “celebration”, or as they like to say, a “celebration of Indian food”, and it just might be the place you are looking for.
Opened in September of 2019 (formerly the site of Mirchi) by the owner, Ankush Punhani, Jashan by Dhaba prides itself on offering a wide variety of dishes from the various regional areas of India, as well as some from Indochina, with an emphasis on Northern Indian fare, while still offering choices from the South. Many would describe Indian cuisine as being spicy, rich, flavorful, and diverse; of course, none of that should scare you off as your dish would be highly dependent on what you order and the degree of spiciness (heat) you prefer. And, when I mention that, I mean it as a good thing, as I personally enjoy my food with a flavorful kick.
Formerly the site of Mirchi
With that in mind, do yourself a favor and do not allow a lack of familiarity with the extensive menu, different, aromatic spices, or unaccustomed language to intimidate you. You will be depriving yourself of one of the great cuisines of the world if you do. The attentive wait staff at Jashan, who were all effusive and accommodating during my visit will gladly help guide you along the way; and as I have found, it is not that complicated or confusing once you get a grasp on some basic Indian phrases and cooking techniques. Or you can always follow the old rule of thumb; If you ever find yourself where you do not know the food, take cues from the tables of people who look like they might have grown up with the cuisine. Never a bad tip!
A spacious, classy, and somewhat upscale ambiance awaits you within. A pleasant, nicely appointed, modern, semi-formal setting, that still manages to make you feel cozy and comfortable with ethnic décor throughout, and soft Indian music playing in the background. Sparkling clean and clearly in full conformance with all current health (COVID) protocols, one should feel safe dining at this establishment. A restaurant’s appearance sets a tone, raises our expectations and suggests that the owner cares as much about our comfort as he does about the food they serve. Jashan by Dhaba has made that effort and succeeded.
Asif Naim and Pat Minutillo
A foodie friend of mine, who loves Indian food, has been praising this venue for a while, so I invited him along for this review and as a helpful guide. Our host and waiter, Asif Naim, could not have been more accommodating to our needs. As suggested by Asif, we sat at one of the restaurants several comfortable, plush leather, semi-circular booths. Gave us plenty of room to spread out! The very amiable and personable General Manager, Purushottam-Pudasaini, joined us at our table to welcome us, and we had an opportunity for a very enjoyable chat. Puru, as he told us to call him, prior to managing Jashan grew up in Nepal and started his career in the food industry as a dishwasher before eventually finding his way to Dubai, where he managed the Ritz-Carlton for 13 years, then onto San Diego, where he managed 5 different Indian restaurants at the same time. In 2019 he found his way to Jashan by Dhaba. Puru told me that “he loves what he does and finds it very personally rewarding”. He went on, “making people happy, organizing special events in people’s lives, setting up corporate and private events, and ensuring great service and customer comfort is very important.” When asked what he likes about New Jersey, he stated, “I like the four different seasons the most, as they remind me of growing up in Nepal”.
Soya Chop Achari
As soon as we were seated our wine was uncorked, poured, and placed in an ice bucket as we began to peruse our phone-generated menu. By the way, I should mention that Jashan is a BYOB, so bring along your favorite. The large menu offers a nice selection of vegetarian, meat, fish, and egg dishes. There is an emphasis on lamb, goat, and chicken for your meat selection. For you steak lovers, you will not find that on the menu. Asif, our waiter, was there to helpfully answer our questions, offer advice, and provide guidance along the way.
We started with the Galouti Kebab; minced lamb patties that came with two of the chef’s special sauces. Very moist and flavorful, and the sauces were a great accompaniment. Three nice-sized patties, so there was plenty to share. Asif then returned with a complimentary dish that he thought we would like; Soya Chop Achari. This vegetarian dish, made primarily from soybeans, was delicious. The taste was nicely textured, somewhat chewy, and creamy inside with a slightly crispy shell. The seasoning was perfect and spicy. There was certainly a lot going with multiple layers of flavors and spices hitting your taste buds. The spiciness was also perfect, not too hot, but just enough to hit you with a few waves of pleasant heat.
Goat Vindaloo
For entrees, I chose to go with Goat Vindaloo, while my friend chose the Saffron Chicken. Goat Vindaloo was not on the menu (lamb is), but they gladly made it for me. I was given a choice of my heat level, from 1 to 10. I chose a 7, but I could have gone higher. Next time! The goat meat was fall off the bone savory and delicious, tender, and juicy. The taste of goat is slightly less sweet than beef and not the least bit gamey (as some people believe), and blended perfectly with the saucy, spicy, curry dish, Vindaloo. The Saffron Chicken, which I did get to taste, was extremely flavorful. A spicy dish, yet sort of sweet, aromatic, and earthy, with the scent and flavor of saffron clearly prominent. This was the first time I tried this gorgeous golden-colored dish, and its complexity demonstrates why Indian cuisine is considered one of the most flavorful cuisines in the world.
Garlic Naan
For sides, we went with some tasty Garlic Naan, and Biryani Rice. The Biryani Rice was courteously prepared for us as a special sample of the rice typically served with a traditional Indian Biryani dish. This delectable rice dish derives its, multitude of flavors, and special tastes through the blending of many diverse spices. I do not know how they do it, but it was excellent!
Staying in gavone mode, despite being totally satiated, I still had to try their dessert; Gulab Jamon. I mean, you have to do what you have to do, right! Round, milk-based, fried delicacies, sweet-tasting treats that melt in your mouth, soaked in a rose-watered scented syrup, it was a perfect way to cap off this feast. Jashan by Dhaba is certainly a “celebration of Indian food.”
Beautiful Ambiance and Vibe
Great food, outstanding, friendly, and attentive service, beautiful ambiance and vibe, very reasonable prices, large private parking lot, BYOB. I would recommend you stop in and enjoy an evening at Jashan.
अच्छे भोजन अच्छे दोस्त
Jashan By Dhaba is located at 252 Route 46 West, Parsippany. (973) 521-9100. Click here to view the website.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 no longer need to wear masks or physically distance — whether indoors or outdoors in most circumstances.
“We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a media briefing Thursday afternoon.
“Based on the continuing downward trajectory of cases, the scientific data on the performance of our vaccines, and our understanding of how the virus spreads,” Walensky said, “that moment has come for those who are fully vaccinated.”
The new recommendations come more than a year after the CDC first suggested that Americans should wear masks to protect against spreading or catching the coronavirus. At that time, the U.S. was logging more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths a day.
A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the last dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. That gives the immune system enough time to develop antibodies against the virus. According to CDC data, more than 35 percent of the population has now been fully vaccinated.
There are a few caveats, however. People who have compromised immune systems, for example, should talk to their doctors about continuing with mitigation measures. And even fully vaccinated people may still be asked to wear masks in certain places, such as in hospitals or other health care settings, as well as public transportation.
“Right now for travel, we’re asking people to wear their masks,” Walensky said. “We still have the requirement to wear masks when you travel on buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation.”
Even though the vaccines work well, they are not perfect, and breakthrough infections can occur. Of the more than 117 million people in the U.S. who have been fully vaccinated, 9,245 later tested positive for Covid-19. Those illnesses have generally been mild.
For now, the CDC guidance only applies to those who have been fully vaccinated. Soon, that group will include kids ages 12 and older, now that the CDC and Food and Drug Administration have both signed off on Covid-19 vaccines for that age group.
The CDC is expected to update its guidance on children in school and summer camps soon.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Center at the Rockaway Townsquare Mall began vaccinating children aged 12 and up this morning, under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) issued by the federal Food and Drug Administration allowing the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for use on children younger than 16 years old.
While expanding the vaccine use, anyone under 18 years old will still be required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian to receive the vaccine. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have only been approved for those 18 years and older.
Vaccinations at the Rockaway Township facility will be provided to any New Jersey resident, and walk-ups at the facility will be accepted from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The hours of been extended today to 7:45 p.m. for walk-ups.
Starting this weekend, the Center will be closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Appointments also are available and offer a wider range of hours.
If you or someone you know are homebound and needs a vaccination, you can contact the Morris County Homebound COVID-19 Vaccination Program at (973) 326-7828.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany High School music department is proud to present the return of Live Music and will be performing a “Spring Concert Showcase” on Friday, May 21, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. at the PHS Turf Field, 309 Baldwin Road.
Performances by: Winter Guard, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble & Concert Band, Choir & Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, Women’s Ensemble, Men’s/Lower Vice Ensemble, and special guests, the PHS Marching Band!!
MORRIS COUNTY — New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS), which provides blood for local patients, is looking for a few good volunteers.
The blood drive volunteer is an integral member of our team whose tasks include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical background necessary. Volunteers should be outgoing to provide friendly customer service and be able to perform tasks as needed. Must have transportation.
All training is provided including additional precautions for the safety of our team and blood donors. For additional information call or text Sharon Zetts, Manager, NJBS Volunteer Services at (732) 850-8906, Monday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
To apply online as a blood drive volunteer click here.
PARSIPPANY — Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills has its own mail-in ballot drop box at Town Hall, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.
The Ballot Drop boxes are all outside and under surveillance 24/7. They resemble a USPS Blue Mailbox, but are Red, White & Blue and display “Morris County – Official Ballot DropBox.” The ballots will be picked up by county representatives. All security measures will be followed when collecting and transporting the ballots back to the Board of Elections.
For a list of the other Ballot Drop boxes located in Morris County click here.
Additional locations may be added before the next election. You can deposit your ballot approximately 45 days prior to each election. All Ballot Drop boxes will be closed at 8 pm on Election Day.
The Powerball jackpot for Saturday’s lottery drawing has climbed to an estimated $157 million, with a cash option of $108.2 million. The drawing will be held at 10:59 p.m. and televised on WABC-7 in New York City and Fox 29 in Philadelphia. NJ.com will publish the winning numbers immediately following the conclusion of the drawing. No one across the country hit Wednesday’s $143.6 million jackpot. A pair of $1 million, second-prize tickets were sold — one in Michigan and one in Florida. Both tickets matched five numbers but not the Powerball A third-prize, $50,000 ticket was bought at Leonia Ne…
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Officer Elvin Giordano reported to the Waterview Park and Ride on Friday, April 9 at 5:15 a.m. on a report of debris in the roadway.
The 2011 White Econoline van was sitting on the curb of the bus stop
Upon arrival, Officer Giordano observed a 2011 White Econoline van unoccupied with heavy front-end damage sitting on the curb of the bus stop. The van was traveling westbound on Route 46 going over the concrete curb, striking the brick wall, continuing through the bus shelter before coming to its final resting place behind the Waterview Park and Ride sign.
The vehicle was left in this position by an unknown driver.
Ajaco Towing towed the vehicle and the owner, Inglesia Dedios Eman of Montclair was notified. The van was stolen from outside of Parsippany-Troy Hills.
I have had the pleasure of working with Judy Hernandez for the past three years on the Parsippany Environmental Advisory Board and I am happy to consider her my friend. I support her campaign for Parsippany Township Council.
Judy has dedicated her life to making the world a better place by becoming an Environmental and Civil Engineer. She has professional experience by working on projects from the proposal, to contracts and planning stages, to design and constructions.
She is a 21 year resident of Parsippany, raised her family here and she has been involved locally with school, community groups, and township committees.
Judy has worked to support the world around her and in her current role as the Vice-Chair of the Parsippany Environmental Advisory board and the Mayor’s appointee on the Planning board, she is working to make the planet and Parsippany more sustainable.
I have lived in the Mount Tabor part of Parsippany all of my life, raised my children here and now my children are raising their children here, and I believe Judy is one of the most qualified individuals to serve on the Town Council. She understands that helping people of our community comes before politics and will always strive to do the right thing.
Judy is open to new ideas, listens carefully by considering all sides, and will work with the mayor and the rest of the council to address the issues that affect our community and our people.
I have complete confidence in Judy and her passion to keep Parsippany on the road to sustainability for future generations. She will do whatever she can to keep Parsippany the best town for every single resident who lives here.
I am making the right choice for Parsippany and voting for Judy Hernandez for Town Council.
LIVINGSTON — On Tuesday, May 4, Team Barberio held its first $900 per-person fundraiser at Nero’s Grille in Livingston. The gathering featuring a prime rib dinner included Parsippany’s former Township Attorney John Inglesino, Ryan D. Graham, Director of Business Development for Fairview Insurance Agency, and dozens of other professionals who served the township under Barberio during his initial eight years as mayor. Fairview Insurance handled Parsippany’s Employee Benefits.
In the Republican Primary to be held on Tuesday, June 8, Team Barberio which includes Barberio for Mayor and council candidates Frank Neglia and Deborah Orme will face off against mayoral candidate Lou Valori and his team of council candidates Justin Musella and Gary Martin. Also running for council is former Council Vice President Robert Peluso.
In 2017, Peluso challenged Barberio in the primary and lost. Then in the general election, Barberio lost to the current Mayor Michael Soriano, by approximately 800 votes.
The winner of the Republican primary will face off Soriano and his council candidates Cori Herbig and Judy Hernandez during the General Election in November.
Since leaving office, Barberio was the Business Administrator in Englewood Cliffs. His reappointment was rejected in 2019 by the council, which was made up of five Democrats and just one Republican.
He then surfaced in Hunterdon County, where he is the administrator in two towns – Tewksbury and Lebanon. He splits his time between both. Ironically Justin Marchetta, of the law firm Inglesino, Webster, Wyciskala & Taylor was appointed Township Attorney in 2020.
As for the mayor’s race in general, former county freeholder John Cesaro was at one time considered a candidate. But that ended when Cesaro was charged by the state Attorney General’s Office with accepting bribes from a “cooperating witness” who wanted legal work if indeed Cesaro became mayor. That case remains pending.
Back in early February 2020 current Parsippany Mayor Michael Soriano gave his “state of the township” address. It wasn’t remarkably divisive, although the mayor did criticize the tax policies of Barberio. He said that when the GOP ran the show, property tax increases were avoided in 2013 and 2017, two election years. But this had nothing to do with fiscal prudence, just politics. Soriano asserted that artificially avoiding increases in election years just means the bill has to be paid later.
“Barberio held the first event as a mayoral candidate is a high-dollar fundraiser located in Essex County. It makes me wonder how passionate he is about taking this seat back from the Mayor he lost it to in 2017,” said Robert Blake in an email to Parsippany Focus. “Parsippany businesses are hurting as a result of the pandemic. We have a multitude of options right here in the township that would suit any type of political event. Hosting his kickoff event in Livingston is a slap in the face to the hardworking business owners of Parsippany who have been hanging by a thread for over a year now.”
Parsippany Focus reached out to Barberio but he didn’t answer our questions.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA proves every day that there is no age limit on eating healthy, getting active, and being social. May is Older Americans Month and the Y is emphasizing the importance of being active and involved, no matter where or when you are in life. All individuals are encouraged to develop behaviors that are crucial to healthy aging, including healthy eating, increasing physical activity, and social interaction – especially adults over age 50.
The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is a community organization focused on healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development. In fact, at the Y “older adults” are not called “seniors”, but rather are referred to as “active agers”. Adults 50 years and older currently make up more than 30 percent of the U.S. population, and will soon represent 45 percent of all Americans. Here in the Morris County area, adults 50 and older make up 41 percent of the population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that adults 50 and older have a 70 percent chance of developing at least one chronic disease. While these numbers seem daunting, the good news is that making small lifestyle changes that include increasing physical activity, eating healthier, and staying active socially can help older adults live better.
“Due to COVID-19’s potential effect on our older members, we know that many have been staying home for their health. As the community reopens, we know that health is top of mind as people return to their regular routines,” said Alex Martinez, President, and CEO of the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA. “If you need help, support or just a place to get started, community-based organizations such as the Y provide the needed guidance to help older adults age well.”
The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA offers many ways for older adults to live healthier lives, including six evidence-based health initiatives as part of its Chronic Disease Prevention Program. One of them is Enhance® Fitness, a 16-week evidence-based physical activity program proven to increase the physical, mental, and social functioning of older adults – particularly those with arthritis.
According to the CDC, 52 million Americans have arthritis, including about half of all adults over age 65. Almost 23 million Americans report that arthritis limits their physical activity. Research has shown that low-intensity physical activity performed on a regular basis can reduce pain, improve functioning, elevate mood, and delay the onset of disability.
Participants in Enhance® Fitness attend three, one-hour classes per week taught by a certified Y instructor. Classes feature proven aerobic, strength training, balance, and flexibility exercises that are safe, effective, and modifiable for a variety of fitness levels. After four months, fitness assessments are conducted to track participants’ progress. In addition to physical benefits, the program provides a fun, social atmosphere that fosters relationships between program participants.
This program has been popular beyond anyone’s expectations. Those who have taken these classes were some of the first individuals back to the Y when doors re-opened last fall.
In addition to the arthritis program, the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA offers five additional Chronic Disease Prevention Programs. They are the Cardiac Care Maintenance Program for individuals who have recovered from a cardiac incident; Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program for individuals who
have Hypertension; the MS One-Step Program for individuals who have Multiple Sclerosis; the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA Program for individuals with cancer or who are cancer survivors; and the Diabetes Prevention Program for individuals diagnosed with Prediabetes.
Most of the Chronic Disease Prevention Programs are offered at no or low cost, and most do not require a Y membership. For more information on these programs please visit the Y’s website at www.lakelandhillsymca.com or call Anthony Shovlowsky at (973) 507-7040.
You’re Invited: The Y is inviting everyone from the community to participate in their free outdoor “Senior” Health and Wellness event on Wednesday, May 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sponsored by Sunrise Senior Living at Mountain Lakes and Unicity Senior Advisors, the Y is putting the FUN in fitness. Blood pressure checks, fitness classes, memory games, and more! Additionally, an ice cream truck will be there with free ice cream, a 90th birthday celebration for Y members turning 90 years old, and enter to win a free Older Adult membership, whether you are a current member or guest!
While the CDC recommends that older adults get a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate exercise or strength training per day, less than one out of three American’s 65 and older meet these guidelines. Swimming and aquatic programs may reduce the risk of muscle loss as one age and reduce the risk of osteoporosis as well as improve cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and mental well-being. The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA offers aquatic fitness classes in addition to their slate of lessons and programs.
For nearly 60 years, Older Americans Month has been observed to recognize older Americans and their contributions to our communities. Led by the Administration for Community Living’s Administration on Aging, every May offers the opportunity to hear from, support, and celebrate our nation’s elders. For more information on how your family can live a healthy, active life, visit www.lakelandhillsymca.com or call Rosemary Linder Day at rosemaryl@lhymca.com.
As always, no other organization can impact as many, as powerfully, as the Y does every day.
PARSIPPANY — Town hall announced that it will reopen its doors to the public on Monday, Monday, May 24 for regular business. Town Hall and all municipal buildings will be available to residents for in-person business beginning that same day. All visitors must continue to wear a mask, practice social distancing, avoid crowding in the hallways, and wash hands whenever possible.
This announcement comes as a response to the State of New Jersey’s announcement of the removal of gathering percentage limits for indoor business, outdoor business, and places of worship.
According to the Morris County Office of Emergency Management, any business, whether indoors or outdoors, that is subject to a percentage capacity limitation will instead be guided by the rule regarding six feet of distance between persons or groups of persons.
“I’m happy to welcome residents back to our buildings,” said Mayor Michael Soriano. “It’s been a long time coming. We’re 14 months into this pandemic, so we all know the drill. With the help of our residents continuing to be safe and smart, this is a major step in getting our township, our business, and our community back to normal.”
Previously, Town Hall and other municipal buildings were closed to the public, and only open to those with appointments. This will no longer be the case, and residents can access these buildings provided that residents continue to wear masks and practice social distancing while on the premises.
Town Hall is located at 1001 Parsippany Boulevard in Parsippany. For more information, please contact the Mayor’s Action Center at (973) 263-7262.
Ajaco Towing towed the vehicle and the owner, Inglesia Dedios Eman of Montclair was notified. The van was stolen from outside of Parsippany-Troy Hills.
Dear Editor:
