On May 3, the State of New Jersey announced the removal of percentage limits on outdoor public gatherings beginning on May 19. Due to the decrease in new cases and transmission rates of COVID-19 across the state and in the Township, the tolerable risk level is at a point where outdoor public events can occur, so long as attendees continue to practice social distancing, mask-wearing, and good hygiene practices when possible.

“I’m thrilled about celebrating July Fourth in Parsippany once again,” said Mayor Michael Soriano. “Our residents deserve to share in the joy of being American and taking part in our summer festivities. It’s been too long since we’ve been together, and I can’t wait to see everyone.”

After a year of canceled events throughout the Township, the Fourth of July ceremony will take place at Parsippany Hills High School, and include music, celebration, and a fireworks display beginning at sundown. Residents attending the event are required to wear a mask, practice social distancing from people outside of immediate family, and wash or sanitize hands frequently.

“We have so much to celebrate this July Fourth,” said Mayor Soriano. “While we celebrate, we cannot forget how much we’ve sacrificed to make this event possible. It’s because of the time-tested practices of being safe and smart with COVID-19 that we are able to host this event. It’s up to each and every one of us to make sure we continue to protect our family, friends, and neighbors, now and for the celebrations to come.”

For more information about this year’s Fourth of July celebration, please call the Parsippany Recreation Department at (973) 263-7257.

MORRIS COUNTY — Preschool Advantage, a Morristown-based nonprofit organization, raises funds to open the doors of preschool and unlock the possibilities beyond by providing preschool tuition assistance to children from struggling local families. Preschool Advantage students attend a full school year of preschool at one of 28 partner schools.  High-quality preschool education gives young children the tools to begin kindergarten prepared to learn and to have a fair chance to succeed throughout their education.

Preschool Advantage will hold a reception on Wednesday, May 12, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the property of the Burnt Mills Cider Company in Bedminster (rain date, May 19).  Both Burnt Mills Cider Company and Preschool Advantage are dedicated to the vibrancy and strength of the greater Morris and Somerset community, and hope the event will introduce new audiences to the work Preschool Advantage are doing to improve access to high-quality early education in our area.

The open-air venue will offer a safe opportunity for guests to enjoy live music from the multi-talented singer-songwriter, Stephen Bard, premium hard ciders brewed on-site, and sandwiches from Angry Archie’s, the Jersey City-based food truck.

The highlight of the evening will be remarks from an alumni parent who will share her experience sending her children to preschool with support from Preschool Advantage, and the impact this has had on her entire family.

For more information and to purchase tickets click here, email info@preschooladvantage.org, or call (973) 532-2501

MORRIS PLAINS — John Velazquez, Alexander Masi, Abby Mahoney, and Gabrielle Trinker! are part of Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Scholarship winners. These young people make a difference in the lives of others.

Chick-fil-A is located at 1711 Route 10, Briarcliff Plaza, Morris Plains.

PARSIPPANY — Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon announced his endorsement of Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce in this year’s Republican Primary election, calling her a fierce advocate for Morris County in the State Legislature while lauding her efforts on behalf of fellow Republicans on the grassroots level for years. “I stand by my friends, and BettyLou is a friend,” said Sheriff Gannon.

“More than that, though, she is a fierce advocate for Morris County families, retirees, and business owners. We are fortunate to have her representing us in the State Assembly and she has earned re-election.”

Gannon added that DeCroce has also been a friend to many local and county Republicans during their campaigns, including his own. “I’ve watched BettyLou knock on doors, stuff envelopes, and raise money for local candidates to help them win tough elections,” said Sheriff Gannon. “She was there for me when I first ran, and I’ve seen her lend a hand to fellow Republicans when it mattered most. We need more people like that in our party, not less. I am proud to stand with BettyLou.”

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its regularly scheduled council agenda meeting Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.

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 council meeting agenda.
• Click this link to access the meeting.

For more information, please contact the Township Clerk’s office at (973) 263-4351 or email pthclerk@parsippany.net.

An ordinance can be found below:

• 2021-09 Emergency Appropriation 5,000,000 COVID

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.

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.
• Click this link to access the meeting.

For more information, please call (973) 263-4286 or email njolie@parsippany.net.

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will hold a public hearing next month concerning its application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program, for a proposed minor diversion of parkland owned by the Township.

This application is subject to NJDEP Commissioner and State House Commission approval and is available for review at the Municipal Clerk’s office, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard, by calling the Township Clerk at (973) 263-4358 or the Township website by clicking here, at the Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library, 449 Halsey Road, and at the NJDEP Green Acres Program offices (address below).

The public hearing will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2021, at 7:00 p.m., to be hosted via a virtual meeting platform. Due to the State of Emergency and Public Health Emergency declared by Governor Murphy, and in an effort to prevent further spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of Township residents, this meeting is being held by electronic remote access via WebEx Meeting (https://bit.ly/3ugbh1T, entering First Name/Last Name/E-mail Address when prompted) or via the conference line (844-621-3956, PIN: 631180).

All interested parties are invited to attend and participate in the public hearing. In addition to oral comments presented during the hearing, written comments may be submitted to the agencies listed below. All written comments must be received within two weeks following the hearing, by Thursday, May 27, 2021.

The proposed parkland diversion would involve the construction of a 0.164-acre portion of Block 736, Lot 9.01 on the official tax map of the Township, by the Township’s water department of a replacement well, pump house, and access drive in support of the Township’s drinking water system. In accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:36-26.5(a)1, as compensation for the proposed minor diversion, the Township proposes to remit $19,311.22 to Green Acres for deposit into the Garden State Preservation Trust Fund.

This application also requires a minor diversion from the Morris County Board of County Commissioners.  The proposed minor diversion of a 0.164-acre portion of Block 736, Lot 9.01 forms part of the open space lands preserved, in part, with funding assistance from the Morris County Open Space, Farmland, Floodplain Protection, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund as part of the Smith Road Sheep Farm (Block 736, Lots 9.01 and 9.02) in 2005.  Compensation for the proposed minor diversion will be determined in accordance with the Morris County Open Space, Farmland, Floodplain Protection, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund Rules.

All written comments should be submitted to the Township of Parsippany Troy Hills Water Department, with a copy to the NJDEP Green Acres Program and Morris County, at the following addresses:

Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills
Water Department
1001 Parsippany Boulevard
Parsippany, NJ 07054
Attention: John Wieworka
JWieworka@Parsippany.net

NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Green Acres Program
Bureau of Legal Services and Stewardship
Mail Code 501-01
P.O. Box 420
Trenton, NJ 08625-0420
Attention: Morris County Steward
Adam.Taylor@dep.nj.gov

County of Morris
Office of Planning & Preservation
P.O. Box 900
Morristown, NJ 07963-0900
Attention: Joseph Barilla, PP/AICP
jbarilla@co.morris.nj.us

Due to remote working arrangements during the current state of a public health emergency, e-mail comments are preferred.

PARSIPPANY — A group of more than two hundred Sewa International North Jersey chapter volunteers and their families cleaned up the Jersey City Reservoir to commemorate Earth Day.

In conjunction with the town of Parsippany, volunteers met at Parsippany PAL, busing their way to the reservoir to clean, beautify and protect it. The event began at 9:30 a.m., continuing until 1:00 p.m. as volunteers cleared debris and trash, making the water supply safer.

“When Parsippany called on us to clean up the reservoir, we were more than happy to help. It was great to see so many people who care about our planet come together to make this place cleaner, safer,” said Sewa North Jersey Chapter Coordinator, Rashmita Shanbag.

Among the volunteers were high school students from Sewa North Jersey’s LEAD program, an internship that trains students in community engagement, promoting volunteerism and environmentalism. “It is a privilege to give back to our community and make a difference,” said Sewa’s Director of Projects and Programs Prem Pusuloori.

Sewa is committed to supporting activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources, sustainability, and foster harmony between communities and the environment.

PARSIPPANY — Holi is a festival of colors that announces the arrival of spring. After a long-white-cold winter, what could be more symbolic to welcome chirping of birds, sprawling green blanket of grass, new green leaves, and colorful flowers than COLORS? Holi is celebrated in many parts of the world usually in March or April. These months are usually still not warm enough in the United States so we improvise and play Holi in May.

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its Planning Board meeting on Monday, May 3, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.

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 planning board meeting agenda.
• Click this link to access the meeting.