PARSIPPANY — On June 16, 2020, Emily Cruz, a student at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y., and Parsippany resident started a petition to remove the Christopher Columbus Statue, which is located at Parsippany Municipal Building. The statue faces Route 46.
Parsippany Resident, Robert Quinn, a graduate of Parsippany High School has started a petition to KEEP the Christopher Columbus Statue.
Click here to sign the petition to keep the Christopher Columbus Statue in Parsippany.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Estimated Third Quarter bills were mailed at the beginning of this week. You should be receiving these in your mail in the next few days. This is the only bill you will receive for the Third quarter.
The bill that is being mailed is the Estimated Third-quarter bill. The term Estimated relates to the Tax rate, not the bill. This bill is calculated using an estimated tax rate of 3.107%. The rate is the same for all fire districts.
The fourth quarter bill will reconcile the total tax owed for 2020. In other words, the amount that is owed minus the amounts that were billed for the first, second, and third quarters will leave the balance owed for 2020 to be payable in the form of the fourth quarter bill. The Final 2020 tax bills should be mailed in September.
For more info contact (973) 263-4252.
PARSIPPANY — Wearing masks, social distancing, and other habits we’ve become accustomed to over the past several months are continuing to work.
PARSIPPANY — Emily Cruz, a student at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, N.Y., and Parsippany resident have started a petition to remove the Christopher Columbus Statue, which is located at Parsippany Municipal Building. The statue faces Route 46.
Cruz is a 2017 graduate of Morris County Vocational School of Technology in Denville where she studied in the Academy of Design. She is continuing her education at The College of Saint Rose as a Communications major which a PR/Advertising focus. She intends on pursuing a career in Visual Communications.
“Due to BLM and other minority movements making way across the country, I felt that now was as good of a time as any to make a petition to remove the Columbus statue in Parsippany. We should not, in any way, celebrate or recognize his slaughter and enslavement of indigenous people. This is not someone that our town should be honoring with a statue,” said Cruz on change.org.
To view the petition, click here.
BOONTON – Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, Acting Chief of Investigations Christoph Kimker, and Chief David Mayhood of the Town of Boonton Police Department announce the arrest of Andrew Jennings, 52, of Boonton.
It is alleged that between November 2019 and January 2020, Jennings provided alcohol and marijuana to a child. While the child was under the influence, Jennings engaged in sexual conversations with the purpose to seduce the child, and on at least one occasion, Jennings is alleged to have touched the intimate parts of the child.
Jennings has been charged with two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.A 2C:24-4a (1), crimes of the second degree, and two counts of Criminal Sexual Contact in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-3b, crimes of the fourth degree.
Anyone with information relating to these incidents or any related incident is asked to call Detective Mary Falzarano of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6230 or Sgt. Christian Trowbridge of the Town of Boonton Police Department at (973) 402-9371.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, the Town of Boonton Police Department, and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigations Section, whose efforts contributed to the investigation and charges filed in this matter.
Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — Please be advised, the Township Council of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is rescheduling its regularly scheduled Township Council Meeting that is to be held on Tuesday, June 23.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m. Formal action may or not be taken, and any other action reasonably related thereto may also be taken. Click here to download a copy of the proposed agenda.
Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic Council Meetings will be held via a web conferencing program named ZoHo. This program will allow the public to listen to the meeting and to participate during the public portion session only.
Please be advised that in order for a member of the public to participate they must fill out the registration information using their real name and address, anyone not using their real name and address will not be allowed to speak during the public portion. Click here to access the meeting.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Assembly Labor Committee advanced legislation Monday sponsored by Assemblywomen Serena DiMaso and Aura Dunn capping the fees charged by delivery services like Grubhub and Uber Eats during the public health crisis.
“It’s a margin killer for many of our Main Street businesses,” said DiMaso (R-Monmouth). “They’re keeping 32 percent of the order payment in a restaurant business where margins are maybe 15 or 20 percent.”
The sponsors worked with N.J. Restaurant and Hospitality Association and leading food delivery apps Uber Eats and DoorDash.
Fees would be capped at 20 percent of the order under the bill (A3978); or 10 percent if a third-party is not actually making the delivery, and it’s instead done by a restaurant worker or independent contractor.
The caps would remain effective during any state of emergency longer than seven days and would supersede any local caps already in place.
“Third-party services are no longer fringe experiments, but rather a mainstream piece of the restaurant business,” said Dunn (R-Morris). “For all their hard work to keep afloat, this cap helps those restaurants stay in business.”
MORRIS COUNTY — The New Jersey Department of Health issued guidance on COVID-19 health and safety protocols for outdoor organized sports activities which are set to resume as of June 22.
The guidance permits practices and competitions for low-risk sports (golf, tennis) that do not involve contact, and modified no-contact practices for medium-risk (soccer, baseball, softball) and high-risk (football) sports. Traditional practices and competitions for medium-risk sports are expected to be allowed as of July 6, and on July 20 for high-risk sports. As of now, only outdoor activities will be permitted.
“Sports provide an opportunity for healthy exercise and skill-building,” said state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “This guidance will enable these activities to resume while protecting the players, coaches, and staff – and the larger community – from the spread of COVID-19.”
Under the guidance, (Click here for guidelines) outdoor athletic facilities are permitted to open and be available for organized youth and adult sports activities. Municipalities retain the discretion to open or close municipal fields or facilities for these activities.
Each sports program is required to develop a preparation plan that includes social distancing, staggered schedules, screening, equipment cleaning/sanitation, and face-covering protocols, among other measures. Programs should consider consistent groups of the same staff, volunteers, and athletes, and avoid mixing between groups. Athletes are encouraged to bring their own water bottles and equipment to practices, and equipment sharing should be limited.
Practices and games must follow outdoor gathering limits including athletes, staff, and any visitors or spectators.
Staff and parents/guardians/visitors are required to wear cloth face coverings at practices and games. Athletes are encouraged to wear masks during downtime, but not during physical activity. Nonessential visitors, spectators, staff, volunteers, vendors, members of the media, and activities involving external groups or organizations should be limited as much as possible.
The guidance does not apply to professional sports activities or US national team activities. High school sporting activities under the jurisdiction of the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) must abide by NJSIAA protocols, which shall consider state Health Department guidance, and per Executive Order No. 149, may not resume before June 30.
Youth sports summer camps, which are permitted to open July 6, must follow camp standards in addition to the guidance of the organized sports. (Click here for more information)
PARSIPPANY — Last week, the township opened up expedited applications for outdoor dining. I’m happy to report that 17 restaurants have already applied and been approved, and will be open for service either today or very soon.
PARSIPPANY — On June 3, Governor Phil Murphy issued Executive Order 150 which permits restaurants, bars, and other food or beverage establishments to provide in-person service at designated outdoor areas (“Outdoor Dining Area”) for food and/or beverage consumption (“Outdoor Dining”) subject to certain conditions effective Monday, June 15. (Click here to download Executive Order 150). Indoor dining has yet to be allowed, as the disease spreads more easily in confined spaces, according to Murphy. A week before the announcement, The New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association started the #OpenOutsideDining campaign, asking people to tweet, email, call and Instagram message Murphy and urge him to lift the ban on outdoor dining so restaurants could begin serving again.
In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order, the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills allows Outdoor Dining in order to revitalize the local economy and help local businesses recover from the devastating economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parsippany-Troy Hills waived the $25 permit application fee during the State of Emergency and has expedited the permit process.
All Outdoor Dining Areas shall be open during the normal business hours of the establishment, but in no case shall open for business prior to 11:00 a.m. nor remain open for business after 11:00 p.m. No patrons are permitted to remain in the Outdoor Dining Area for any reason after 11:00 p.m. Parsippany Focus was told there will be exceptions to the rule, but the applicant must apply for a waiver. For example, IHOP, which opens up at 7:00 a.m. for breakfast can receive an exception to allow them to open for breakfast.
Limit seating to a maximum of eight customers per table and arrange seating to achieve a minimum distance of 6 feet between parties. It is highly suggested to call the restaurant and make a reservation.
For those food establishments looking to start outdoor dining, please contact Zoning Board Director Jennifer Vealey at (973) 263-4287 or jvealey@parsippany.net to start the process.
Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce, with the cooperation of Parsippany Focus, has published a free WHAT’S OPEN for businesses to promote their business during these times. Many area restaurants list their hours, delivery services, and whether they have outdoor dining. To view WHAT’S OPEN, click here.
If you are a local business, click here to list your business.
Executive Order 150 further notes that municipalities are permitted to use their existing authority to allow food or beverage establishments to expand their footprint to outdoor areas, both within their property and among municipally-governed areas, including but not limited to sidewalks, streets, or parks.
Additionally, a special ruling by the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) will temporarily permit establishments with liquor licenses to expand their licensed premises into outdoor areas that are either contiguous or non-contiguous to their permanently licensed premises. Establishments may apply through the POSSE ABC Online Licensing system, and if approved will be issued a temporary permit effective on June 15 that will run until November 14, 2020. ABC will not take action on any application until it receives an endorsement or approval by the appropriate governing body officials, and it is the responsibility of the licensee to comply with local ordinances and site plan requirements.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Library will begin curbside service for books, music, and other library materials over the next two weeks, as permitted by the state’s announced relaxation of COVID-19 rules for all libraries in New Jersey.
Drop-off services will resume via the library book drops starting on Monday, June 15. Pickups of new materials will begin on Tuesday, June 23.
Patrons will not be allowed to enter the county library, as the state is allowing only pick-up/drop-off services at this time via contactless delivery at the library curbside.
“We are absolutely delighted to be able to at least partially reopen our county library, which serves thousands of Morris County residents, and is such a vital resource for students and seniors and children,” said Freeholder Director Deborah Smith.
“We ask you to take advantage of this great resource once our staff has the curbside program ready to operate. And we look forward to a time in the not-too-distant future when we all can come back inside the library,” added Freeholder Stephen Shaw.
County Library Director Darren O’Neill explained that his staff will follow safety and health protocols at all times while handling materials that may pose a risk of COVID-19 exposure. The library only will allow a return of materials via book drops, with returned items moved to a designated area for quarantine of at least 72 hours.
More details will come soon on when patrons can place holds on library material for curbside pick-up.
All Morris County Library materials that are currently checked out by patrons will have late return fees waived at this time. Patrons are asked to return them starting on June 15.
The Morris County Library is located in Hanover Township (for GPS) at 30 East Hanover Avenue, Whippany, directly across the street from the Morris County Park Commission’s Frelinghuysen Arboretum.
Due to COVID-19 the county library has canceled all scheduled in-library programming and use of conference and public meeting rooms until further notice. Patrons are encouraged to visit the library on Facebook and Instagram for updates and information on virtual programming and online learning opportunities.
If you have any questions, use the feedback form by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — The Rainbow Lakes Community Club proudly displaying a newly purchased American Flag with a ceremony. Thank you William Lanza for performing the reading about Flag Day and also a brief history of the Flag of the United States of America. The ceremonies concluded with the Pledge of Allegiance.
MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy and Superintendent of the State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan announced an Administrative Order which permits libraries to allow curbside pickup, beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15. The order also clarifies rules affecting a number of different businesses.
“Libraries are an important resource in normal times, but are even more critical now as many New Jerseyans utilize the numerous and often free resources that they have to offer,” said Governor Murphy. “Reopening our libraries for curbside pickup will ensure that families in our state can continue to have access to literature, arts, and so much more than these institutions provide.”
The Order will take effect at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15.
PARSIPPANY — “Parsippany Supporting Our Town” is ever so present in Parsippany.
Last week, Andy Sadowski said “while I did not think any landscaper would be able to pull off such a last-minute request, Yuliano Landscaping went above and beyond to help out the Brooklawn Middle School Graduating Class of 2020. When I placed the call, I had no idea that the owner of the landscaping was once a Brooklawn Knight back in 2004 and roamed the halls our kids now roam.”
Faced with so many missed opportunities, such as not having the formal dance, the trip to Dorney Park, and formal in-person graduation, tomorrow is the big day when they will pick up their diplomas. Being this may be the last time they return to Brooklawn Middle School, the sign out front was neglected in the past several months being that schools were closed. Faced with a deadline of 9:00 a.m. Friday, June 12 (with less than 14 hours until the deadline) Louis Yuliano was assured the job would get done.
Sadowski said “As a parent of an eighth-grader, I am so thankful when I got the picture that the job was complete within hours of calling to see if this was even feasible. Without a doubt, this is a case of a small business in Parsippany, supporting the community that he calls home.”
A big thanks to Louis at Yuliano Landscaping for going above and beyond so that the Brooklawn Middle School graduating class of 2020 are not posing in front of dead plants.
Yuliano Landscaping can be reached by calling (973) 944-8862.
PARSIPPANY — Holocaust Survivor Edward Mosberg, 94, held a flag-raising ceremony at Powdermill Heights Apartments. Attending the event was Mayor Michael Soriano; Council President Michael dePierro; Major Brian Polite, New Jersey State Police; Port Authority Officers; Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officers; Rabbis; Friends; and Mr. Mosberg’s two daughters, Caroline and her husband Darren Karger and Louise Levine, along with his grandchildren. Rosemary Becchi, candidate for Congress in the 11th District, was also in attendance.
“My name is Edward Mosberg. I am a Holocaust survivor. My wife of 72 years, Cecile Mosberg of blessed memory, was also a Holocaust survivor. We know what an American flag is. We were liberated from the German concentration camps by American soldiers who were carrying an American flag. These soldiers sacrificed their lives to liberate the prisoners from the German occupations. The prisoners were of all different backgrounds and this did not make a difference to the liberating American soldiers. For this reason, we should not forget the American flag which represents freedom. We must honor the American flag because it gave the prisoners, including me and my wife, our freedom back,” said Edward Mosberg.
He continued “It is now my honor, and if my wife were here with me now, it would be her honor as well, to raise the American flag. I now raise this flag not only in memory of those prisoners who were liberated by American soldiers who were carrying an American flag but also in honor of those American soldiers who sacrificed their lives to give freedom back to the prisoners of war. It is my honor to salute the American flag, a symbol of freedom for all. God bless America and God bless you all.”
MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 154, allowing personal care service facilities to reopen to the public on Monday, June 22 at 6:00 a.m., provided the facilities comply with standards issued by the Division of Consumer Affairs and Department of Health.
“We’re able to confidently announce this important step in our restart and recovery because the health metrics tell us we can,” said Governor Murphy. “With the proper health and safety protocols in place, personal care business owners who are anxious get back to serving their customers and communities will have the opportunity to do so.”
Under the Governor’s Executive Order, personal care service facilities include:
1. Cosmetology shops;
2. Barbershops;
3. Beauty salons;
4. Hair braiding shops;
5. Nail salons;
6. Electrology facilities;
7. Spas, including day spas and medical spas, at which solely elective and cosmetic medical procedures are performed;
8. Massage parlors;
9. Tanning salons; and
10. Tattoo parlors.
The Division of Consumer Affairs issued an Administrative Order that includes comprehensive health and safety standards that personal care services who are licensees of the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling and the New Jersey Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy must abide by. Safeguards include:
1. Limiting services to appointment-only;
2. Performing health screening, including temperature checks, on clients and staff prior to entry to the facility;
3. Requiring the use of personal protective equipment, and requiring clients to wear face coverings at all times, regardless of the service they are receiving, unless face down on a massage table or where doing so would inhibit an individual’s health;
4. Ensuring that all staff-client pairs maintain at least six feet distance between other staff-client pairs, unless separated by physical barriers;
5. Adopting enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices; and
6. Staying informed about new developments and guidance related to COVID-19.
The Order further directs the Commissioner of the DOH to issue health and safety standards for use by tattoo parlors, tanning salons and other locations in which personal care services are offered by individuals who are not acting within the scope of a license issued by a professional board within the Division of Consumer Affairs.
Nothing in the Order shall prevent the provision of services to a person that is confined to their home and unable to travel due to a disability, if these services 1) are permitted under existing statutes and regulations and 2) are provided in a manner that substantially complies with standards issued by the Division of Consumer Affairs and DOH.DOH issued an Executive Directive today that includes comprehensive health and safety standards for these locations.
Cosmetology schools or other places that provide instruction and training for personal care services shall remain closed at this time.
For a copy of Executive Order No. 154, please click here.
For a copy of the Division of Consumer Affairs’ Administrative Order, please click here.
For a copy of the Department of Health’s Executive Directive, please click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Lakeside Refrigerated Services, a Swedesboro establishment, is recalling approximately 42,922 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The raw ground beef items were produced on June 1, 2020. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]
1-lb. vacuum packages containing “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P-53298-82.
1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES” and a use or freeze by date of June 27, 2020, and lot code P-53934-28.
3-lb. vacuum packages containing three 1 lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN / 7% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53929-70.
1-lb. tray packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53944-10.
4-lb. tray packages containing 10 ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 80% LEAN / 20% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53937-45.
1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/27/20 and lot code P53935-25.
1-lb. vacuum packages containing “VALUE PACK FRESH GROUND BEEF 76% LEAN / 24% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53930-18.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 46841” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.
The problem was discovered during routine FSIS testing. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.
Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea, and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.
FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160°F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature click here.
Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact the Lakeside Processing Center Call Center at (856) 832-3881.
PARSIPPANY — Littleton Elementary School Moving Up 2020
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
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