MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Surrogate’s Office is proud to announce that it is moving forward with a plan to implement fully remote operations by the fall of this year.

Residents seeking probate services in the Surrogate’s Court will be able to complete the probate process from the comfort of their own homes or offices – a valuable tool in this era of COVID-19.

Starting in November, the public will have the option to complete the entire probate online without visiting the county government and court complex in Morristown.

Historically, the probate process usually has involved making an appointment and traveling to Morristown to complete the probate forms in the Surrogate’s office with the help of a probate clerk.

To improve that process, Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling has directed an IT vendor to move ahead with a software modification to allow for remote probate services.

“As an attorney practicing in the Surrogate’s Court, it was apparent to me that a significant segment of the clients this office serves is subject to mobility issues of varying degrees,’’ said Surrogate Darling. “It has been my plan since the day I was elected last year to implement this significant convenience for the residents of Morris County, and now we have found a way to bring it to fruition without any additional expense’’ she added.

Residents always have the right to come to Probate Court. However, this option will create efficiencies that previously did not exist.

Starting in the fall, clients and/or their attorneys will be able to fill in the necessary information online and submit it digitally to the County Surrogate’s Office for a quick review.

If there are issues with form selection or other matters, probate clerks will be available by phone to quickly make modifications. Final documents can immediately be executed at home and returned via regular mail or through an attorney or courier.

Once the documents, including the original Will and Certified Death Certificate, are received with payment, appropriate certificates will be issued from the Surrogate’s Court completing the process.

“This will provide a tremendous benefit to those using our office – a service that is rapidly being created out of necessity caused by Covid-19,” said Deputy Surrogate Christopher Luongo.

Since Covid-19 related building closures, the Surrogate’s Office has been operating by phone and email. In the event of a fall resurgence of the virus, this new online service will enable the Surrogate’s Office to provide full, efficient, and uninterrupted service to Morris County residents.

Surrogates in other counties have expressed an interest in the system being designed in Morris County and may follow the lead by purchasing the program being designed to Darling’s specifications.

PARSIPPANY — It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a major toll on people all around the world, and among those who are greatly affected are people who are at risk of hunger. Food distribution teams have been working nonstop in order to serve those who do not have access to an adequate amount of food.

However, canceled food drives and decreasing numbers of grocery and retail supply sources have left food pantries struggling to provide basic necessities to people in need. With numerous school closures, increasing job disruptions, and major health risks, a growing number of individuals cannot afford essentials and are in desperate need of aid.

In response to these difficult circumstances, the students and student volunteers of Sanatan Mandir Sunday School set up a Virtual Food Drive to help those severely impacted by the virus. This food drive was led by student volunteers Suchit Bapatla, Abhilasha Salunia, and Shreya Shah, and it allowed people to help the cause by making a generous donation to the Parsippany Food Pantry, which contributed to the food pantry’s efforts to end hunger.

Students and student volunteers attending this school also put together a video that showcased creative projects that they were proud of, displayed their talents, and expressed their gratitude towards all coronavirus helpers in addition to explaining the importance of helping the less fortunate and supporting others during these hard times. The video was published on the Sanatan Mandir School Facebook page.

A special thanks to the Sanatan Mandir family and supporters for their gracious donations with which we were able to raise $2,500 for the food pantry. Additionally, thank you the Parsippany Food Pantry for not only allowing us to help families in desperate need of food and supplies but also giving us the opportunity to give back to our community for everything it has done for us.

PARSIPPANY — Carmelita J. Massefski, passed away on Thursday, June 25, 2020.

She was born in Newark, the daughter of Catherine (La Falce) and Michael Fatigante. At East Side High School she met the love of her life, Walter Massefski. Their love continued through 57 years of marriage, until the passing of Walter, and will endure forever.

Carm was a loving mother to her three sons, Walter and wife Heidi of Massachusetts, devoted sons Michael of Bailey, Colorado, Scott, and his caring wife Imara of Lake Hiawatha, and grandmother of seven.

For the past 34 years, Carm worked in the engineering department in Montville Township until she passed. She valued and took great pride in her work, developing many lasting friendships with her co-workers, who were more like family.

Carm was a wonderful, caring, and intelligent woman. It gave Carm great joy attending her grandchildren’s school, sporting events, and milestones. She would be seen quietly cheering them on, glowing with pride. She always put her heart in everything she did, showing those close to her how special they were. We love you and will miss you so much. We lost a great mother, a beautiful grandmother, and an amazing human being.

Carm was pre-deceased by her late husband Walt, mother Catherine, father Michael, dear brothers Michael and Jim. She is survived by and will be terribly missed by her sons and their wives, grandchildren, especially Andrew, Sophia, Max, and Victoria, dear sister-in-law Janet Marlow and husband Ray, sister-in-law Judy, sister-in-law Eleanor, dear brother-in-law Richard, brother Joseph, and wife Maryann, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends whom she loved dearly.

PARSIPPANY — Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is scheduling a Special Meeting to be held on Thursday, July 9, 2020, at 4:00 p.m.

Due to the 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. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss potential water and sewer rate adjustments and personnel matters related to the finance office.  Formal action may or not be taken, and any other action reasonably related thereto may also be taken.

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

  Step-by-Step Guides

• Click this link for a step-by-step guide on registering to attend the meeting.
• Click on this link for a step-by-step guide on joining the meeting through WebEx.

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