Saturday, August 10, 2024
Home Blog Page 172

Onyx Acquires Nine Mack-Cali Office Buildings in Parsippany

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Onyx Acquires Nine Mack-Cali Office Buildings in Parsippany

PARSIPPANY — In one of the largest office transactions since the beginning of COVID-19, Onyx Equities, along with partners Taconic Capital Advisors, L.P., Axonic Capital LLC, and Machine Investment Group, acquired a ten building, 1.5 million square foot office portfolio in Morris County from Mack-Cali.

The Morris County Office Portfolio follows Onyx Equities’ 2018 acquisition of Mack Cali’s Bergen County office portfolio.

The Morris County office portfolio consists of nine buildings in Parsippany and one building in Madison and complements Onyx’s already diverse base of office holdings throughout the state of New Jersey.

Like the rest of Onyx’s acquisitions, the assets will be upgraded through its classic capital improvement strategy that has been attracting tenants looking for high-quality buildings that are easily accessible to major highways and in close proximity to urban downtowns.  The acquisition venture believes this portfolio will be well-positioned to capitalize on tenants already in the suburbs looking for high-quality space as well as potential tenant relocations from New York City due to COVID-19.

“Historically, Onyx has completed some of our most complicated transactions in difficult economic climates and closing during COVID-19 certainly provided some unique challenges,” said John Saraceno, Jr. Managing Principal for Onyx Equities.  “Special thanks to the effort of the Onyx and Mack-Cali teams for never giving up and finding a path to get this transaction closed.”

“Onyx is excited to close its second large portfolio with Mack-Cali and we look forward to implementing our typical value add capital improvement business plan in order to upgrade assets that we already feel are some of the best in Morris County,” said Stephen Sullivan, Chief Investment Officer of Onyx Equities, LLC.  “Our goal is to continue to attract tenants already in the suburbs and also potential relocations out of New York City who desire both a superior product and the best locations.”

Onyx Equities’ suburban office portfolio includes a diverse base of office buildings in New Jersey, Westchester County, and Long Island.  Onyx is one of the largest office landlords in New Jersey and the largest landlord in Bergen County.

Jones Lang Lasalle facilitated the transaction.

Founded in 2004, Onyx Equities, LLC is a leading, full-service real estate firm, located in Woodbridge, specializing in investment, asset repositioning, and ground-up development.

Friendly Protest “To Save the Animals at Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter”

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Friendly Protest “To Save the Animals at Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter”

MORRIS COUNTY  — People of all ages came out “To Save the Animals at Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter” protest on Saturday, September 19.

The message was very clear: “Save the Animals – Stop Animal Abuse, “Stop the Abuse,” “Honk to end Abuse,” “Animals denied Medicines and Vaccines,” “Animal Welfare Over Profit,” “Save the Animals at Mt. Pleasant Shelter,” “Animals Denied Vet Care,” “No Kill, Check the Freezer,” and “Fire Maureen.”  The Maureen they are referring to is Maureen Ryan-Van Artsdalen. Van Artsdalen was hired as Executive Director on January 2, 2019.

“As a former significant financial contributor to the shelter, I find the current leadership sadly lacking in compassion, direction, and managerial skills. The current Executive Director has used her position to make working conditions miserable for the staff and medically unsafe and unhealthily for the animals warehoused in the shelter. Installed in her position by a long gone, self-aggrandizing director, she is almost uniquely unqualified for the job. The animals and workers deserve far better than this petty tyrant,” said Gary R. v.Rotenbeeg.

You can join their FaceBook page by clicking here.

Sign their petition by clicking here. The petition states “The animals at Mt. Pleasant are being denied the medication and care they need for survival. The Executive Director has no Animal Welfare experience and has created an environment of hostility and secrecy. What was once a well run and compassionate shelter is now an environment that is not in the best interest of the animals. The fosters and employees must sign gag orders that they will not share anything negative that they see within shelter walls with the public. Animals are leaving the shelter without being neutered and spayed. The shelter was operating without a licensed vet supervising for an excess of months well before COVID. There is the improper record keeping of animals that come in and out of the shelter. There were animals in foster they had no record of existing, leaving the animal’s care completely in the hands of the foster with no proper guidance from the staff. Turnover of employees is just about 100% since the new ED took over either due to her firing them for fear they’d speak out or them quitting. The fosters that had worked there for years were fired for challenging the ED’s methods or lack thereof. The ED who has been there for 20 months has never learned or attempted to learn any of the shelter’s operations regarding how they function on a day to day basis. We have reason to believe she is earning over $100k, which is 40k more than any prior ED’s salary, and is money that could be used to treat sick animals that often have to wait weeks to months for much needed medical care/surgeries. They haven’t yet filed the necessary 990 paperwork that will help us confirm her salary. She was hired by the Board of Directors that had a friendship with her, regardless of her lack of animal welfare experience. The Board has been notified of everything listed and to date has done nothing about her behavior. We are demanding the shelter’s ED be replaced with a person with the proper animal welfare experience needed to return Mt. Pleasant to the well functioning organization it was before she joined. We are also demanding that the board add new members that have the animal’s best interest at heart and not just the dollars raised for the shelter.

Poster the protester prepared to get their word out

According to their FaceBook page “Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter is a non-profit 501(c)(3) animal welfare organization that is 100% funded through donations. Our animals are our family until they become yours.”

In an email sent to their volunteers Sharise Spence, Volunteer Coordinator, “they were advised that Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter has canceled all weekend volunteer activities for this weekend only. Volunteer activities will resume on Monday, September 21, 2020. Thank you for all being an important part of what we o at Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter. Your support is greatly appreciated.”

In addition, the shelter had a planned fundraiser set for Saturday, which was abruptly canceled on Friday. On their FaceBook page they announced “Unfortunately, we are postponing our shredding event. We will update everyone when we have a new date.”

Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter also hired the East Hanover Police Department to monitor the premises during the protest.

Based on complaints from fosters, adoptees, and ex-employees the protest group compiled a list of demands for change at the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter.

“After reviewing all the evidence presented to us, we believe the following is critical for the health and safety of the animals in the care of Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter.”

  1. Replace Executive Director with a competent individual who has experience running an animal shelter.
  2. Make sure the Veterinarian and Vet Techs expedite medical care for sick and injured animals in their care.
  3. Train ALL staff in proper record keeping.
  4. Promote foster and volunteer relationships that benefit the welfare of the animals.
  5. Maintain basic equipment, supplies, medicines, and vaccines necessary for the health of the animals in their care.
  6. Stop bullying tactics to staff and volunteers by rewriting agreements and remove non-disclosure language
  7. Have financial records audited by an outside accounting firm and present a final report to the public via the website.
  8. Add/replace all members to the Board of Directors with members that can be trusted to oversee the shelter with compassion for animal welfare.
  9. Show transparency on the website by including the last 3 years of 990s, financial records, meeting minutes, and by-laws.
  10. Board meetings will be announced via the website and be held publicly.
  11. Return the shelter to an open environment where fosters, employees, board members, and volunteers have open communication throughout that benefits the welfare of the animals.
  12. Make Mt. Pleasant the amazing and compassionate shelter it was before the Executive Director took over.
  13. Rewrite the job description of the Executive Director.
  14. Create a separate position for a Fundraising Manager.
  15. All problem areas will be corrected in a timely manner in order to facilitate change at the shelter to benefit the animals, as well as the employees, volunteers, fosters, adopters, and the public at large.

Focus called Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter for comment and was told Maureen was not in but was transferred to Cindy who could speak to me.  The call went to voice mail and Focus left a message, and hasn’t received a return call. Focus also reached out to Maureen on FaceBook, but messages went unanswered.

Focus will update this article when we receive comments from Mt. Plesant Animal Shelter and/or Ms. Maureen Ryan-Van Artsdalen.

On Monday, September 21 at 9:10 a.m., Ms. Maureen Ryan-Van Artsdalen submitted the following comment: “Mt Pleasant Animal Shelter provides excellent medical care for the dogs and cats waiting for their forever homes. We are very proud of this and will not be discouraged by unverified and inaccurate accusations.”

Peaceful Rally Scheduled for Sunday in Parsippany

Press Release
-
0
Peaceful Rally Scheduled for Sunday in Parsippany

PARSIPPANY — A peaceful rally is scheduled for Sunday, September 20 at 11:00 a.m. in support of the President of the United States; Law Enforcement, and Small Business Owners.

The event will take place in the parking lot outside 51 Gibraltar Drive in Powder Mill Plaza in Parsippany.

There will be music, hot dogs, live broadcasts, voter registration and volunteer opportunities, and excellent guest speakers. Among the speakers scheduled to address the crowd are Rosemary Becchi, candidate for Congress in Parsippany’s district, Senator Joe Pennacchio, State Assemblyman Brian Bergen, County Clerk Ann Grossi, Surrogate Heather Darling, Freeholder Tayfun Selen, and many others.

The event is said to be ‘fun, energetic, pro-America and peaceful”, said the event coordinator Mayor of Mendham Borough Christine Glassner.

For questions, contact morrisgop@gmail.com.

Parsippany High School Accepting Nominations for Hall of Fame

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Parsippany High School Accepting Nominations for Hall of Fame

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School is accepting nominations for its Hall of Fame.  The PHS Hall of Fame recognizes and honors PHS graduates and staff members who have distinguished themselves during their time at PHS and/or in their careers in their fields of work or service.

Recognition will be given but not limited to accomplishment in the fields of Music, School Services, Fine Arts, Medicine, Business, Journalism, Politics, Athletics, Education, Science, Armed Forces, Community Service. The person being nominated must have graduated from PHS at least ten years ago (2010 or earlier).

In the case of a staff member, the nominee must have been a member of the professional staff (including non-teacher coaches and activity advisors), who has retired or left the employ of Parsippany High School at least three years ago (prior to 2017).

The person being nominated does not have to be a college graduate. Posthumous nominations WILL BE accepted. As many as ten nominees may be inducted in any given year.

Nominees selected for induction into the PHS Hall of Fame will be honored at an annual ceremony (date to be determined).  Each inductee will receive an engraved memento and will be recognized on a perpetual plaque in the main hall of Parsippany High School. Nominations may be submitted by any Parsippany High School graduate or by a relative, friend, or co-worker of the person being nominated. The committee evaluates each nominee on three criteria:

  1. Recognized excellence in one’s field/profession.
  2. Service and dedication to PHS.
  3. Contributions to professional/civic organizations and/or publications, presentations, and recognition.

Nomination forms can be found on the PHS website by clicking here. Be sure to include all requested information.  Reasons for nomination and written description may be submitted on separate sheets of paper (not to exceed three sheets and must be stapled to the nomination form).

Please email to dmulroony@pthsd.net or mail to
Parsippany High School Hall of Fame
309 Baldwin Road
Parsippany, NJ  07054.
c/o Dr. Mulroony.

All forms are due by October 30, 2020

Parsippany Hills High School 9th Grade Parent Orientation Presentation

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Parsippany Hills High School 9th Grade Parent Orientation Presentation

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Hills High School 9th Grade Parent Orientation Presentation

Members of “Reform LPPOA 2020” Take Control of Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Members of “Reform LPPOA 2020” Take Control of Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association

PARSIPPANY — A heated election was held on Sunday, September 13 for the election of officers for Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association (LPPOA). 372 ballots submitted of the 499 eligible voters* or 75% came out to vote. Click here for a complete breakdown of the results.

Due to COVID-19 LPPOA hired Election Buddy to conduct the process. Eligible voters will be able to vote from the safety of your home, or members could vote at The Clubhouse. The Clubhouse was open from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for those who do not have the use of a computer.

*LPPOA determined that the eligible voters were members who paid full membership dues, and NOT any member that paid the current assessment fee.

Lake Parsippany residents who paid the assessments were turned away from the polls and was not permitted to vote

The newly elected officers are President: Pulkit Desai (2-year term); Vice President: Danny Desai s (1-year term); Financial Secretary: Tarak Bhatt; District 1: Rinam Shah; District 2: Casey Palermo; District 3: Rajinkant Patel and District 4: Deepa Tailor.

Trustee Positions are two-year terms and alternating between President/Vice President and Treasurer/Financial Secretary allowing one position available every election year.

Director Positions are three-year terms, allowing one position available in each district every election year.

The new officers will be officially sworn in mostly like via Zoom due to COVID-19.

Parsippany Focus sent an email to the current officers but they refused to comment on the election results.

Friends and neighbors joined to celebrate the results of the election
Winners pose with Mary Purzycki

In October 2016 members who paid the membership fees for Calendar Year 2016 voted on the assessment fees. The vote was 101 for the mandatory easement and 16 against mandatory easement. The remaining 2,087 residents were not allowed to attend any of the original meetings and were not allowed to vote. Less than 5% of the residents affected by the mandatory easement were permitted to vote.

Cedarcrest Property Management, hired by LPPOA, sent the 2,204 residents an “invoice as of 12/31/16”, for $115.00. The invoice further states that “payment is due January 31, 2017.” The Invoice was accompanied by correspondence which indicated that if payment is not received by March 15, 2017, “a late notice will be mailed to include a $25.00 late fee asking for payment immediately.” However, there is no contract between the parties, and no statute, that would authorize the LPPOA to charge any late fee. The threat of a $25.00 late fee was intentional and was intended to intimidate and harass the property owners into paying the Assessment.

The LPPOA is a shell of an entity that exists to operate a social club that is comprised, significantly, of individuals who are not even Lot Owners. Under the circumstances, the LPPOA has no authority to levy the Assessment against the Lot Owners and has no authority to institute collection actions against the Lot Owners for non-payment.

A dozen neighbors in Lake Parsippany, including Mary Purzycki, decided in October 2016 after the LPPOA membership voted to impose a mandatory assessment fee on the 2,204 property owners, to form a group to seek legal advise. The “No Assessment Group” decided to pursue a legal representation on this issue.

The group was formed by Lake Parsippany resident, Mary Purzycki who lived here for 50 years and served on the Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association Board of Directors for ten years and was a representative to the Coalition of Lake Associations. At one of the Coalition’s meetings the Easement Assessment Theory was presented, she brought the information back to the LPPOA Board of Directors. The board agreed to investigate the assessment theory.

She said “After much thought, she knew it would put a financial burden on a majority of the people living in the lake. The Broad decided after reviewing not to pursue the idea any further.”

“The conclusion the board came to then, in my mind, has not changed today. The fact that low and moderate-income families moved here because of the affordable housing market, has not changed. In addition, most senior citizens are on fixed incomes, and some families live from paycheck to paycheck that has not changed,” said Purzycki.

She continued “The LPPOA did not take any of these factors into consideration when they voted to impose this mandatory assessment fee. The fact some people cannot afford the extra $115.00 fee expense was not considered. It should have been one of their primary concerns. The fact that the 2,204 voices of the residents were not heard or cared about is unconscionable. It is unfortunate that the association did not realize that people should come first and the association’s possible financial problems are second to that. The community is now divided. This assessment fee has only promoted animosity and hostility. It is time to stop the assessment fee and bring back the united friendly neighborhood, I knew and love.”

After reviewing the options, the group decided to retain the services of Brian Rader, Esq. from the law firm of Jardim, Meisner & Susser to represent them.

The Court found Lake Parsippany is a common interest community and that each of the 2200 property owners had been granted rights to the use of the common properties, including the lake, by virtue of an easement in their chain of title to their property, and by the fact that their lots are depicted on a map filed with Morris County at the time of the original development of the community.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting – September 15, 2020

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting – September 15, 2020

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting – September 15, 2020.

Click here to view the agenda.

Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce Endorses Rosemary Becchi For Congress

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce Endorses Rosemary Becchi For Congress

PARSIPPANY — Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce (District 26) endorsed Rosemary Becchi for the 11th District Congressional seat, issuing a statement that said there is “no one better suited for the job in these troubled times.

“Our economy and job market are being destroyed by the pandemic, but instead of working on meaningful solutions to get our nation on its feet again, the hyper-partisan politicians in Congress are focusing only on appeasing the radicals destroying our cities and saving their own political skins. It’s time to get serious people in Washington. It’s time to elect Rosemary Becchi.

“I’ve been working with Rosemary since she launched Jersey First to take on the mounting taxes and government regulations making New Jersey unaffordable for hardworking families. This is the woman responsible for creating tax-free college funds that help American families afford the crushing cost of higher education. Rosemary has the intellect, savvy, and no-nonsense approach to problem-solving that is completely lacking in government these days.

“We cannot afford to keep sending people to Congress who only pay lip-service to the needs of New Jersey families, but just follow the partisan marching orders of their rabid political leaders, like Nancy Pelosi, when it comes to taking action in Washington.

“While we lose out on education funding in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, we are being targeted for increased annual taxes. While our tax dollars are funneled to urban corners of the state, our suburban neighborhoods are ignored when it comes to aiding and even punished for being fiscally responsible.

“We need a Congressional representative who knows what she is doing, who knows how to work across partisan lines to get things done and who fully understands the daily challenges faced by working families in New Jersey.

“We need to send Rosemary Becchi to Congress. There is no one better suited for the job in these troubled times.”

Mayor Michael Soriano Delivers 100th Video Update in Wake of COVID-19 Outbreak

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Mayor Michael Soriano Delivers 100th Video Update in Wake of COVID-19 Outbreak

PARSIPPANY — Mayor Michael Soriano delivered the Township’s 100th Video Update today, a milestone in supplying residents with video outreach that has spanned nearly six months. The Township began the updates as an effort to keep the public informed during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a localized explanation of state mandates, as well as information and recommendations on how to stop the spread of the virus in the community.

Mayor Soriano Recording A Video Update From His Office (Photo Credit Peter Koerella)

The Township broadcast the Mayor’s first video update on April 3, after Mayor Soriano declared a State of Emergency and Public Health crisis for the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. Topics have focused mainly on COVID-19-related issues, including:

– COVID-19 symptom information and testing locations.
– Social distancing, hand-washing, and disinfecting methods.
– COVID-19 case and death statistics for the Township.
– Proper ways to select, use, and discard face coverings.
– Information for re-opening restaurants and businesses in town.
– Information on donating PPE and non-perishable food.
– Continuation of municipal services.
– Information on contact tracing.
– Unemployment and small business assistance.
– Food distribution events.

With the initial uncertainty of the scope, scale, and inherent dangers from the COVID-19 outbreak, the nearly daily updates became an important channel for relaying information quickly to Township residents. The videos have been watched by thousands as a way to keep residents informed during uncertain times.

“Those videos help us feel a little more connected in a time when we’re feeling so disconnected,” said Marc Julius, a Parsippany resident who has watched every daily update since they began in April. “[Mayor Soriano] keeps us informed. It’s like knowing somebody cares for you and is taking care of the town. I can see it; he wears a mask when he’s supposed to, he’s always at one food bank or another taking care of those who can’t help themselves.”

The 100th Video update (which is available to view today on social media and the Township’s website) discusses the importance of getting a flu shot to reduce the strain on an already over-burdened healthcare system, in addition to reducing the risk from the seasonal disease that can be deadly on its own.

“Getting a flu vaccine this fall is more important than ever,” says Mayor Soriano in the video. “Our healthcare system could be overwhelmed treating both patients with flu and patients with COVID-19. As with COVID, protecting yourself against the flu will also protect people around you.”

Every video update is available to watch on the Township website at www.parsippany.net/updates, and can also be seen on the Township’s YouTube, Facebook channels and posted on Parsippany Focus.

Frank Cahill Awarded with the “Carrington Swain Fellowship Award”

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Frank Cahill Awarded with the “Carrington Swain Fellowship Award”

PARSIPPANY — New Jersey Kiwanis District Governor Gordon Meth presented Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill with the “Carrington Swain Fellowship Award.”

Meth explained, “Cahill was awarded this prestigious award for attracting new members to the Greater Parsippany club, but also him being instrumental in forming a new club, Kiwanis Club of Tri-Town, serving Boonton, Boonton Township and Mountain Lakes.”

Carrington Swain Fellowship Award The New Jersey Kiwanis Foundation Board of Trustees created the Carrington Swain Fellowship Award in 1998. It is named in honor of the two Kiwanis International Presidents from our great district.

Dr. William I. Carrington (1934‐1935) from the Kiwanis Club of Atlantic City, and Charles A.ʺNickʺ Swain (1963‐1964) from the Kiwanis Club of Cape May.

First-time Carrington-Swain Fellowship members receive a lapel pin, plaque, and a medallion bearing the likeness of our two presidents suspended from a green and white ribbon.

It is intended to be worn at high visibility District and Intemational functions. From supporting sponsored programs such as CircleK, KeyClub, Builder’sClub, K‐Kids and Aktion Clubs, to scholarships and club grants, your Kiwanis Foundation sponsors and supports a wide range of New Jersey Kiwanis initiatives and programs.

Indeed, it is a vehicle by which all members of the New Jersey District can reach beyond their homes, clubs, and communities to make a real difference in many people’s lives in New Jersey.

Parsippany Community Update September 16, 2020

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Parsippany Community Update September 16, 2020

PARSIPPANY — This year’s election is being conducted primarily by mail, with the option of in-person voting. There a number of changes in place that you should be aware of. Click here for DropBox Locations. Click here for a list of Polling Locations.

While the November 3, 2020 election is being conducted primarily with a vote by mail ballots, with each active registered New Jersey voter receiving a vote by mail ballot, there will still be at least one polling location available in every municipality in the state and each county will operate at least 50% of its normal polling location capacity. Voters who do not receive a vote by mail ballot or who prefer to vote in person will cast a paper ballot at their designated polling location. Voters with disabilities that prevent them from voting by paper ballot will have access to a voting assistance device.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education Meeting

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education Meeting

PARSIPPANY — Board of Education of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will hold a Virtual meeting on Thursday, September 24, 2020, Closed Session 6:00 p.m. Regular Session 6:30 p.m.

The members of the Public can click here to join the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting includes Technology Update, Personnel, Award of Bids, Payment of Bills, Transfer of Funds, and General Business Items.

Action may be taken on these and such other matters.

Council Passes Resolution for Energy Savings Improvement Program

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Council Passes Resolution for Energy Savings Improvement Program

Article was written by Matt Kavanagh, Parsippany Green Team

PARSIPPANY — Energy efficiency and renewable energy present a fantastic way for public entities to save money and tax dollars while reducing their carbon footprint thus demonstrating a commitment to environmental and fiscal stewardship for its citizens.

In keeping with Parsippany’s long history of environmental leadership, on Tuesday, September 15 the Township Council voted on taking the next step with its Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP) to pass a resolution on an aggregated project for 13 municipal buildings.  The resolution will allow the opening of a request for proposal (RFP) soliciting bids on an Energy Savings Plan (ESP) for the municipal building portfolio.  This is a program that will save Parsippany thousands of dollars by accessing an NJ state funding mechanism that enables retrofitting facilities with energy conservation measures (ECMs) without new capital investment.

An ESIP is an important step for the town to access funds and kick start a plan to reduce the energy demand on these buildings, save costs, and minimize the combined environmental impact of the facilities.  NJ towns such as Denville, Marlboro, Montville, Pittsgrove, and many others have completed these programs and saved millions over the life of their respective ESIPs.  Additionally, this is an action initiated by the municipal and citizen Parsippany Green Team in the pursuit of Gold Certification in Energy through the Sustainable Jersey program and in support of NJ’s Energy Master Plan for greenhouse gas reduction.

Approved into NJ law in 2009, an ESIP is a financing mechanism using refunding bonds or lease-purchase agreements without upfront capital to integrate ECMs saving on energy costs, upgrading building infrastructure, and reducing consumption.  For the ESIP, the utility costs savings from upgrades offset the upfront costs of the projects whereby savings are stretched over the 15-20 year service life of the equipment.  By law and from year one, the ESIP in aggregate must be cash flow positive every year of the program reducing the utility expenses to the town.  In addition to energy savings, state and federal incentives and funding will be integrated into the plan to supplement further improving economics.

The request for proposal is first approved by the NJ Board of Public Utilities before the public RFP is circulated to NJ approved Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) listed under the Division of Property Management and Construction. This is the second step in the ESIP process after the town completed free Local Government Energy Audits (LGEAs) through the NJ Clean Energy Program on all the buildings following tracking and analysis of the utility energy consumption profiles in the summer of 2019.

The RFP will kick off a lengthy process to review and select an ESCO to design a comprehensive Energy Savings Plan after extensive investment grade audits are completed on each building.  Qualifying energy conservation measures encompass a broad range of improvements that result in lower energy consumption including energy efficiency enhancements, water conservation, integrated renewable energy systems, building envelope improvements, and accompanying control systems.  Prior to municipal adoption of an ESIP it must be approved by the Board of Public Utilities and verified by a third-party and the town has an option to purchase energy savings guarantee from the ESCOs further strengthening the investment.

Access the NJ state website for more information by clicking here.

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Friends of the Library Book Sale

PARSIPPANY — The Friends of Parsippany Library is holding an Outdoor Book Sale on September 26, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Main Library, 449 Halsey Road. Hundreds of books, all collected before March 15, will be sold for $5.00 per bag.

All proceeds will be used by the Parsippany Library for books and programs for adults and children.

Moravian College Welcomes Nicole Zinckgraf

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Moravian College Welcomes Nicole Zinckgraf

PARSIPPANY — In August 2020, Moravian College welcomed more than 500 new students, including Nicole Zinckgraf to their Bethlehem, PA campus for a semester that is unlike anything the college has seen before. Zinckgraf is a 2020 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School.

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Moravian welcomed students to a mix of in-person and online classes.

Moravian College is the nation’s sixth-oldest college, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees that blend liberal arts with professional programs.

For more than 275 years, the Moravian College degree has been preparing students for reflective lives, fulfilling careers, and transformative leadership in a world of change. Moravian College is a member of The New American Colleges and Universities (NAC&U), a national consortium of selective, small to mid-size independent colleges and universities dedicated to the purposeful integration of liberal education, professional studies, and civic engagement. Visit moravian.edu to learn more about how Moravian College focuses on education for all prepares its students for life-long success.

Virtual Learning Toolkit: Resources for Families and Teachers

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Virtual Learning Toolkit: Resources for Families and Teachers

PARSIPPANY — A Message from Kevin Dehmer Interim Commissioner of Education

As the new school year commences, remote instruction will play a large role in districts and homes across the state. To help parents, students and teachers effectively adjust to online instruction, the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) is pleased to announce the launch of the Virtual Learning Toolkit, a comprehensive set of resources for school communities.

The toolkit contains links to information and supports for families and school districts, as well as pre-recorded professional learning modules to help educators virtually engage, instruct, and assess students. The resources provided focus on six key areas:

1. Devices and Hardware – Help with computers and tablets;

2. Connectivity and Broadband – Information about internet service and wi-fi connectivity;

3. Software and Learning Platforms – Help with videoconferencing and popular learning platforms;

4. Training and Professional Learning – Resources for engaging students through hybrid and remote instruction;

5. Tech Support and Digital Literacy – Help and supports for using technology and troubleshooting information; and

6. Funds and Financial Support – Possible funding resources for districts.

Resources will be added to the toolkit as new information becomes available.

Contact information

Please direct inquiries to Christopher Cox, director of the NJDOE’s Office of STEM, at Christopher.Cox@doe.nj.gov

A Message from Dr. Barbara Sargent

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
A Message from Dr. Barbara Sargent

PARSIPPANY — A Message from Dr. Barbara Sargent, Superintendent of Schools.

Dear Parsippany-Troy Hills Families,

I hope this letter finds you all well and anticipating a great school year and athletic season. We are fortunate to be in a position to run a Fall Sports Season. This is entirely the result of a healthy Summer Conditioning Program, coaches who maintained strict safety standards, and students who followed our district protocols faithfully. Thank you for your assistance with this.

We are excited to begin practices again on Monday and for our first scrimmages/games to start on Friday, September 25. I would like to direct you to our current game schedule at the “Athletics” page of the district website. Please understand that schedules are fluid, and your daughter/son’s coach will provide specific information as the season progresses.

Our Fall Sports procedures require all parents of student-athletes at the high school level to continue to use the same forms and links used for summer session practices. These are different from the daily screening forms used for Cohort A/B attendance.

It is expected that student-athletes will wear a mask when checking into practice/game and at the end of practice/game, provide their own water/hydration drink, bring hand sanitizer for themselves, and maintain social distancing prior to and after the practice/game.

For Practices and Games (Not Football), tickets will not be required for these events. Spectators must adhere to social distancing and wear masks if they are in close proximity to others.

For Home Football Games/Scrimmages, the district will provide each Senior player with two tickets and other athletes, Band members, and the Cheer team with one ticket each. Your school will provide a link for ticket ordering. This link for ticket purchase is critical so that we may trace contacts should an infection occur. This is the procedure we will follow for the week of September 21 and September 28. We will monitor this and make necessary adjustments for the following weeks’ games. We understand that this means few students may be attending the games for now. It is imperative that we maintain a safe environment and adhere to social distancing. Games will be Live Streamed to a YouTube link for viewing in the comfort of your home.

There will not be Concession Stands at any of the games; no outside food or drink is permitted. Large bags and backpacks are also not allowed.

Spectators must sit in the bleachers in designated sections. There will be no leaning on fences or gathering near the field or other areas. The bleachers will be marked off to appropriately space spectators out; please adhere to the markings and sit in the designated spots.

For Away Football Games, there will be a certain number of tickets available for purchase in advance. For the week of September 21 and September 28, only the athletes will travel to the game. Band and Cheer Team members will not attend away games. We will review this and consider adjustments once we understand how health protocols are followed.

Thank you for all the support you provide our community and programs. Students benefit from athletic and extracurricular activities and this Fall season will be a great opportunity for our school community to cheer our students. We also have students who may be scouted for college scholarships, making it extra important to keep our school district healthy. Please remember the importance of maintaining social distancing – both at school events and in the community – and of restricting your child’s exposure to large groups. As I’ve said before, all our school guidelines will be for nothing if students let down their guard on weekends and after school.

Please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s coach, Athletic Coordinator, principal, or me should you wish to address any aspect of this information.

Sincerely,
Dr. Barbara Sargent
Superintendent of Schools

Italian American, African American & Hispanic Police Officers Collected School Supplies

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Italian American, African American & Hispanic Police Officers Collected School Supplies

MORRIS COUNTY — Due Labor Day weekend, the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey partnered with (BLESC) Blacks in Law Enforcement Serving the Community & Hispanic Law Enforcement Association of Union County to collect another truckload of needed school supplies at area ShopRites.

These three law enforcement organizations are working hard together to build bridges with the community while making sure inner-city children have the supplies they need for the Fall in school.

Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Law Enforcement Achieves 8th Prestigious Accreditation Award

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Law Enforcement Achieves 8th Prestigious Accreditation Award

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders has applauded the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Bureau of Law Enforcement for achieving national reaccreditation, a demanding process that measures compliance with the most advanced standards on policy, procedures, operations, training, administration, and support services.

The prestigious, advanced reaccreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) is the first accomplished by the administration of Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, who was sworn in as the 77th Sheriff in January 2017.

The agency first was awarded CALEA accreditation on March 21, 1998, and has now been reaccredited seven consecutive times.

Sheriff James M. Gannon with CALEA Assessors Thomas Clark and Charles Groover

“I and the entire Freeholder board commend Sheriff Gannon and his officers for maintaining these nationally recognized standards of excellence and for being accountable, fair-minded, and community-oriented in how they deal with the citizens of Morris County. This is a very important achievement, particularly in this volatile era when some citizens and law enforcement are clashing in other parts of this nation,” said Morris County Freeholder Director Deborah Smith.

Sheriff Gannon and Sheriff’s Office Detective Captain Denise Thornton were among Sheriff’s Office sworn Officers who were joined at a virtual Freeholder Board work session on Wednesday by CALEA Executive Director Craig Hartley and CALEA Regional Program Director Paul MacMillan, who provides on-going accreditation guidance to the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.

Executive Director Hartley gave the Freeholders a glowing appraisal of the accreditation efforts of the Bureau of Law Enforcement, which met 361 rigorous reaccreditation standards.

“These efforts take strong leadership of course, as well as technical support, but they also require every member of the organization, both sworn and non-sworn, to embrace the concepts of accreditation and consider the implications of their actions in regard to our standards,” Executive Director Hartley said.

Sheriff’s Officer Travis Somerville, Detective Captain Denise Thornton, Corporal Laura Bertelli, Investigator Ashley Craig, Officer Kayla Santos

“Although I don’t think there has been a difference in this in the course of history, now more than ever, it’s critical for law enforcement agencies to commit to doing the right thing, the right way, and having accountability as a part of their organizational make-up.  Again, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office embraces this concept through accreditation and allows CALEA as an independent body to examine its most sensitive and complex operations to confirm its commitment to this important business philosophy,” Executive Director Hartley said.

Sheriff Gannon also commended the agency for maintaining the highest quality standards.

“Achieving reaccreditation is a rigorous process but necessary, I believe, to show the community that the Morris County Sheriff’s Office strives for excellence and transparency. I asked the assessors to kick the tires and look into everything because we welcome the scrutiny. It’s a true credit to everyone in the Bureau of Law Enforcement that its quality has again been affirmed,” Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon said.

The Morris County Sheriff’s Office is one of just two Sheriff’s Offices in New Jersey to be nationally accredited. Statewide, 17 law enforcement agencies have achieved national accreditation, including the New Jersey State Police.

A voluntary process for law enforcement agencies, CALEA accreditation demonstrates that an agency has a proven management system of written directives, clearly defined lines of authority, sound training, robust service delivery, excellence in leadership, and compliance with best practices related to life, health and safety procedures.

The Sheriff’s Office accreditation team spent the years 2016 through 2019 meeting annual, web-based prongs of the accreditation process that prepared the agency for a climactic, four-day visit in October 2019 by CALEA Assessors, former Law Enforcement professionals Charles Groover of Georgia and Thomas Clark of Virginia.

Public input was welcomed, with 13 individuals, business owners, and representatives from state, federal, and local law enforcement agencies calling the assessment team to offer positive opinions about the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.  They included a member of the LBGTQ community and a woman whose husband is a client of the Sheriff’s Office Project Lifesaver program.

During the site-based assessment, Sheriff Gannon and his accreditation team took the assessors on a tour of the Morris County Courthouse, which the Bureau of Law Enforcement is constitutionally mandated to protect, and the team showcased the agency’s specialized services and innovative outreach programs.

The CALEA assessors met Sheriff’s Office Detectives from the Bomb Squad, K-9, Crime Scene Investigation (CSI), Evidence, and Community Outreach and Planning Sections.

The assessors in October 2019 also conducted 112 interviews with sworn and non-sworn members of the Sheriff’s Office, community members, and Superior Court personnel, including Superior Court Assignment Judge Stuart Minkowitz, who works closely with Sheriff Gannon on all aspects of courthouse security.

Before CALEA ultimately awarded the Sheriff’s Office four-year reaccreditation in March 2020, it delivered a Final Assessment Report that expressed admiration for initiatives launched by Sheriff Gannon. Those programs include the Hope One mobile substance use and mental health outreach program, the RSVP-3 school threat assessment program, and the RSVP-3 mobile app that allows individuals, particularly students, to anonymously report threats to school safety and other concerns.

“The agency has a community outreach component (that is) very active with businesses, neighborhood associations, citizen groups, civic organizations, and on and on. The programs Sheriff Gannon and the agency have introduced since his administration took over three years (ago) is amazing,” states the report, authored by the assessors.

Sheriff Gannon and the accreditation team had anticipated traveling to Florida in March for the 2020 CALEA Conference, where they would have answered any final questions by a panel of CALEA commissioners before reaccreditation was granted. Instead, the Sheriff and accreditation team members had a final session with CALEA commissioners over Zoom in March, when the reaccreditation was awarded.

Deaths By Suicide in Morris County are 52% Higher

Frank L. Cahill
-
0
Deaths By Suicide in Morris County are 52% Higher

MORRIS COUNTY —  As of September 15, 32 individuals have died by suspected suicide, compared to 21 individuals by that date in 2019 in Morris County. With more than 100 days left in this calendar year, overall suicides this year have exceeded by five the 27 deaths attributed to suicide in 2019.

Emphasizing Morris County’s stigma-free philosophy, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon stressed that services are available and ready to minister to individuals who are in despair or feeling disengaged from family, friends, and healthy relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation, unexpected deaths, and inability to freely grieve at funerals coupled with job losses, civil unrest, and uncertainty about the future have created a maelstrom that can overwhelm the psyche.

“Major disruptions and stress in people’s lives, as many have felt this year, can seriously damage mental and emotional well-being. Social distancing can lead to a disconnection from others and many people have not been able to mourn deaths with traditional wakes and funerals. There are resources to turn to and people who can help others cope, no matter who they are,” Sheriff Gannon said.

Tracy Klingener, Director of Suicide Prevention Services for the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris, said COVID-19 has cut many people off from direct contact with family and friends. Without face-to-face encounters, warning signs that others are depressed or feeling hopeless can go undetected, she said.

“Without face to face interaction, people are not having the conversations they may have previously had with others,” she said.

“At a time like this, people may be in a state of intense tunnel vision about their problems and their lives.  It’s important to remind people that ‘You’re not alone. We’re in this together,” Director Klingener said.

Mental health and overcoming addiction is a cornerstone of Sheriff Gannon’s administration, which launched the Hope One mobile addiction and mental health outreach program on April 3, 2017.

Hope One is partnered with the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris, which links individuals with treatment services, education, and wellness programs. One or more trained mental health advocates are present on every HOPE ONE trip into the community and since April 2017, have connected at least 151 people to mental health services.

RESOURCES:

  • Morris County Sheriff’s Office Hope One program: (973) 590-0300;
  • Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris: (973) 334-3496;
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255;
  • Ricky’s Compass (Click here)
  • Crisis Text Line: Text the word TALK to 741-741;
  • NJ Hopeline: (855) 654-6735;
  • Local meetings of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (Click here)
  • Cop2Cop, a confidential, 24-hour helpline for police officers and their families: 1-866-COP2COP.
1...171172173...583Page 172 of 583

EDITOR PICKS

MEET THE MERCHANT

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

Parsippany Focus is a digital news organization that provides news coverage of Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey. The organization was founded in 1989 by Frank Cahill, who currently owns and operates the organization. Parsippany Focus covers local news, events, and community issues, and their content is primarily distributed through their website and social media channels. The organization has been serving as a trusted source of news and information for the Parsippany-Troy Hills community for over 30 years.

Contact us: news@parsippanyfocus.com

FOLLOW US

© 2024 Zoomus Marketing, LLC.

Translate »