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Religious Leaders From Across Morris County Join Freeholders, Sheriff, Prosecutor, And Attorney General In Unity Rally

By
Frank L. Cahill
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Prosecutor Fredric Knapp, Freeholders Deborah Smith and John Krickus at Unity Rally – with Attorney General Gurbir Singh Grewal on the far left

MORRIS COUNTY — More than 350 Morris  County residents participated in a “Community Rally Against Hate,” joining together with the Morris County Board of Freeholders, Morris County Sheriff and Prosecutor, the state Attorney General and religious leaders from across Morris County in a special forum held at the Gottesman RTW Academy in Randolph, on Thursday, January 9.

The crowd, clergy and political and law enforcement officials stood united against the hatred and bigotry that recently has targeted the Jewish community and other faiths in our state and nation.

Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon

Emceed by Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, the event featured a wide array of messages from a leaders from across the state and region, including New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, Freeholder Director Deborah Smith and Freeholder John Krickus, and Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp

Attorney General Grewal addresses the unity Rally, and Sheriff Gannon looks on

Video messages were sent by Rep. Mikie Sherrill and state Sen. Anthony Bucco, who were in legislative sessions in Washington and Trenton on Thursday, January 9.

It also included the following religious leaders: Rabbi Levi Dubinsky of the Chabad Center of Mountain Lakes, Boonton, and Denville; Basel Hamdeh of Jam-e-Masjid Islamic Center, Boonton; Rev. Herman Scott of Calvary Baptist Church, Morristown;  Chandu Bhoraniya, devotee of B.A.P.S. Swaminarayan Mandir, Parsippany; Rabbi Mendy Herson, Rabbinical College of America, Morristown; and Moshe Vaknon, Head of School, Gottesman RTW Academy, Randolph.

Rabbi Levi Dubinsky of the Chabad of Mountain Lakes, Boonton, and Denville

Students from the Gottesman RTW Academy offered songs during the event, including the Star Spangled Banner and Hatikvah. Along with Moshe Vaknin, they led a closing song that featured clergy and community leaders singing, hand-in-hand and arm-in-arm.

Freeholder Director Deborah Smith addresses the Unity Rally

Freeholder Director Smith made the following statement: “On behalf of the entire Morris County Board of Freeholders, I thank you and welcome you for being here at this important event. We are dealing with a wave of anti-Semitism and hate-crime attacks against religious institutions across our nation.

“The attack in Jersey City. The horrible event in Monsey, N.Y. The shooting at a Christian church in Texas. And so many more. Even here in Morris County, a Menorah recently was vandalized in a public space in Mendham.

“As a community, we cannot accept this behavior. I can tell you as a leader of county government, and a woman of the Jewish faith, that here in Morris County that we will not ignore it. We will not hide from it. We must confront it. And we will.

“All of our residents must be able to live their lives in our county, state and nation without fear of being harassed or persecuted for their personal and religious beliefs. That is a basic tenet of our democracy. Nothing is more sacred in America.

“So today, we stand as a countywide community in solidarity with our Jewish neighbors and other religions, and we reject hate with one clear voice from all of the people of Morris County.

In the wake of recent attacks, the freeholders reached out to county law enforcement and religious leaders to explore a possible county response, and are asking members of faith-based communities across the county and the general public to join in standing up against hatred, violence and bigotry.

A group of Morris County residents listen to the speakers

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Agenda Meeting – 01-07-2020

By
Frank L. Cahill
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Click here to download the agenda.

Pennacchio: Governor Veto of Greenwood Lake Funding Contradicts Previous Commitment

By
Frank L. Cahill
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Sen. Joe Pennacchio said the veto of his bill to help maintain Greenwood Lake failed the residents of West Milford and Passaic County

MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio was dismayed by Governor Murphy’s absolute veto of legislation to maintain the lake and ensure clean water in Greenwood Lake.

“Trenton has failed the residents of West Milford and Passaic County, and the three millions residents and thousands of businesses that depend on Greenwood Lake for drinking water,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “The Administration abandoned one of our most popular and scenic waterways as a priority while they continually push their own liberal priorities. The veto is very disappointing to the residents of New Jersey.”

The bipartisan legislation (S-2167) received unanimous support from the Legislature, passing the Senate with a 40-0 vote in June 2018, and the Assembly with a 73-0 plurality in November.

“The Governor owns this rejection. His message is ‘the State of New Jersey owns the lake, West Milford you pay for its maintenance,’” Pennacchio added.

The measure sponsored by Pennacchio and vetoed today would commit $500,000 annually to the “New Jersey Greenwood Lake Fund.” The funding would be dedicated from existing New Jersey boat registration and renewal fees from the “Maritime Industry Fund.”

“State officials visited Lake Hopatcong, where the lake was threatened by the same issues we have at Greenwood. The Governor was given first-hand knowledge of the challenges our lakes face. The issues of maintenance are recurrent ones. Demanding clean water from these lakes and refusing to fund their own waterways is disingenuous and simply not right.”

Reckitt Benckiser Renews 187,500 Square Feet Lease at LATITUDE

By
Frank L. Cahill
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PARSIPPANY — A joint venture partnership between affiliates of Vision Real Estate Partners and Rubenstein Partners, L.P. announced that Reckitt Benckiser Group, a multinational consumer goods company, has expanded and extended a new 187,500-square-foot, long-term lease at LATITUDE. The owners recently transformed the 700,000-square-foot campus into a next-generation, holistic workplace with an East Coast to West Coast design theme that features collaborative spaces inspired by cities from across the U.S.

Since acquiring the 35-acre, two-building campus, Vision and Rubenstein have set out to distinguish LATITUDE through the creation of a unique, hospitality-inspired environment featuring lifestyle experiences and state-of-the-art office space designed to meet employees’ work-life cycle.

“Work and life do not exist separately from one another, and our approach to redevelopment at LATITUDE is reflective of the growing preference for workplaces that mirror professionals’ dynamic lifestyles,” said Sam Morreale, founding and managing partner of Vision Real Estate Partners. “We are not just adding amenities – we are delivering a unique office experience that is setting a new standard for suburban office environments.”

LATITUDE features two, five-story symmetrical wings comprised of offices, meeting spaces, and lifestyle services and experiences. Both wings are connected through a central glass atrium that features common areas, multiple dining options, fitness centers and city-themed spaces for collaboration. As employees travel from one end of the property to the other, they transition through “time zones” punctuated by artistic and design elements, as well as cuisine options with a distinct East Coast to West Coast flavor. The campus provides flexibility, productivity benefits and an environment mostly only seen in bespoke, single-tenant build-out campuses.

“We continue to see opportunity in rethinking well-located Class A suburban offices,” said Stephen Card, Director of Investments and Principal at Rubenstein. “Through thoughtful redesign and amenity programming, we are making desirable places for the suburban workforce and we continue to add value to our properties along with our partners.”

LATITUDE is centrally located in Morris County among a community of top corporate neighbors with direct access to retail and services. The property is located within 0.75 miles of Exit 42B on Interstate 80 and can be accessed via Cherry Hill Road to Interpace Parkway from the east, and from Route 46 via Interpace Parkway from the north. The NJ Transit Bus Route 79, with service to Manhattan, stops directly in front of the building.

Vision Real Estate Partners is a full-service real estate owner/operator, specializing in development, property management, asset management and construction. The firm is well known for its deep roots and experience in the New Jersey/New York regional marketplace, and for its track record of identifying properties with great potential and transforming them into superior assets. Vision Real Estate Partners currently is developing or redeveloping more than 2 million square feet of space in its local market. The company has over 100 acres of land parcels available for mixed-use and build-to-suit opportunities. Its Vision Management platform also currently oversees property management, financial reporting and overall operational supervision for nearly 1.5 million square feet of office space on behalf of multiple strategic partners. For more information click here.

Rubenstein Partners, L.P., founded in September 2005, is a private real estate investment management and advisory firm with operations throughout the United States.  The firm is led by its founder, David Rubenstein, and a group of senior real estate executives, and is focused on directing and managing office real estate investments in the U.S. Rubenstein Partners’ predecessor companies, The Rubenstein Company, LP and its affiliates, founded in 1969, was one of the largest private owner operators of Class A office real estate in the Mid-Atlantic, owning and operating a portfolio of assets valued at approximately $1.2 billion at the time of its disposition in 2004. Since 2005, Rubenstein Partners has, on behalf of its investors and clients, invested in more than 22 million square feet of office real estate assets throughout the United States.  For more information click here.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Reorganization Meeting 01-07-2020

By
Frank L. Cahill
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“Musical Evening with Morris County’s Lakeland Youth Symphony”

By
Focus contributor
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Lakeland Youth Symphony Board Members (Left to Right): Lorraine Leung, Stefanie Nifenecker, Laura Nifenecker, Carol Meiseles, Angel Liu, Pam Heinrich, Sue On, Parsippany Troy-Hills Mayor Michael Soriano, Petko Dimitrov, Pappaparvathi ‘Bobbi’ Patham, Danielle Wilson, Laurence Ibrahim Aibo

MORRIS COUNTY — The young musicians of Morris County’s Lakeland Youth Symphony treated family and friends to a memorable evening of holiday tunes on Sunday, December 15. String players ranging from ages 5 to 18 delighted the audience during the Lakeland Youth Symphony’s Annual Holiday Concert at Parsippany Hills High School.

The beginners of the Prelude class, taught by Ms. Angel Liu, charmed the audience followed up by the Lakeland Strings Orchestra. Violinists, violists, cellists, and bassists ranging in age from 6 to 12 years old comprise this orchestra, which is conducted by Ms. Carol Meiseles.

Ms. Sue On, Youth Ensemble conductor, Ms. Bobbi Patham, LYS Publicity, Parsippany Mayor Michael Soriano

The Youth Ensemble, conducted by Ms. Sue On, progressed to a more advanced level of play with other holiday selections. The audience was mesmerized by the 11 to 18 year olds of the Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Petko Dimitrov. The advanced level of play was demonstrated in sophisticated pieces of music by Ludwig Van Beethoven Symphony No. 7 in A Major Season Finale Music, impressing the audience and creating some of the evening’s most memorable moments.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Michael Soriano participated/performed musical GPS with Youth Ensemble orchestra. He made this season’s musical event more memorable.

Lakeland Youth Symphony’s sparkling holiday gift of a musical evening was one to be thankful for during this season of giving.

Since the 1957-58 Season, the Lakeland Youth Symphony Orchestra has provided musical education and performance opportunities for young string musicians in Northern New Jersey for 61 years.

The Lakeland Youth Symphony is a not-for-profit organization. Most number of students come from Parsippany, Boonton, Whippany, Mountain Lakes, Rockaway, Livingston. A scholarship program exists to make this opportunity accessible to all. If you would like more information about their programs click here.

Image Contribution: Don Heinrich & Bobbi Patham
Article: Pappaparvathi ‘Bobbi’ Patham

RAINBOWS for All Children Grief Support Program Offered

By
Frank L. Cahill
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MORRIS COUNTY — Rainbows for All Children is a peer support program for children who have experienced grief through a death or divorce in the family. Winter-Spring registration is now being accepted. Sessions begin February 4 and continue every Tuesday through April 7.

The meetings are held at Saint Francis Residential Community Center from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 122 Diamond Spring Road, Denville.

Small groups are formed for children ages five years and up. There are no fees to parents. Call Diane Thormann at (973) 627-2134 or Wendy Spector (973) 625-3352 for registration information click here.

Aimee Osterman Named to Dean’s List at York College of Pennsylvania

By
Frank L. Cahill
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Aimee Osterman

PARSIPPANY — Aimee Osterman a junior Early Elementary Education major at York College of Pennsylvania, has been named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2019 semester.

Aimee is a 2017 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School and was a Camp Counselor at Harbor Hills Day Camp.

To be eligible for this honor, a student must be registered for at least 12 academic credit hours and earn a semester GPA of 3.50 or higher.

Located in south central Pennsylvania, York College offers more than 70 baccalaureate majors in professional programs, the sciences, and humanities to its 4,100 undergraduate students. The College also offers master’s programs in business, education, and nursing, and a doctorate in nursing practice. A center of affordable academic excellence, York is dedicated to the intellectual, professional, and social growth of its students. The College helps them develop a concrete plan to attain academic growth and career success; encourages them to try in the “real world” what they learn in the classroom; and prepares them to be professionals in whatever career they pursue.

Morris special election convention set for February 1

By
Frank L. Cahill
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Former Morris County Freeholder John Cesaro
Tayfun Selen

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Republican Committee will hold a special election convention to fill a vacancy on the Board of Freeholders on Saturday, February 1. The convention is set for 9:00 a.m. at the County College of Morris in Randolph.

The election is to fill the seat of Heather Darling  who resigned 11:59 p.m. December 31 to become the Morris County Surrogate.

Chatham Township Mayor Tayfun Selen, Pequannock Councilwoman Melissa Florance-Lynch, former Pompton Lakes Councilman Christian Barranco and former Morristown Councilwoman Alison Deeb, are in the race for the seat vacated by Heather Darling.

The race changed last month when Attorney General Gurbir Grewal charged former Freeholder John Cesaro, with accepting a bribe from a cooperating witness, attorney Matthew O’Donnell. As of now Cesaro did not drop out of the race to return to the freeholder board.

Parsippany Township Council Holds Reorganization Meeting

By
Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Michael dePierro and Council Vice President Loretta Gragnani

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council held its Annual Reorganization Meeting on Tuesday, January 7.

Longtime Councilman Michael dePierro was named Council President and Loretta Gragnani was named Council Vice President.

dePierro has served six years on the Parsippany School Board and 36 years on the Parsippany Township Council, serving as President and Vice President at various times over the years. He served for 24 years on the Planning Board and have also served on the Open Space Committee, Traffic Committee, Municipal Alliance Committee, the Day Care Center, and many others.

Also at the reorganization meeting, The Township Council assigned Liaisons to the numerous committees and filled vacancies or re-appointed the following members:

Economic Development Advisory Committee
Council Liaison – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) Loretta Gragnani
Member – 3 Year Term (12/31/22) John Beehler
Member – 3 Year Term (12/31/22) Steve Mandel
Member – 3 Year Term (12/31/22) Raviram Medapati
Member – 3 Year Term (12/31/22) Robert Peluso
Member – 3 Year Term (12/31/22) Thomas Williams
Member – 3 Year Term (12/31/22) Adam Kandil

Emergency Services Council Council
Council Liaison – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) Paul Carifi

Environmental Advisory Committee
Council Liaison – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) Janice McCarthy
Member – 3 Year Term 9 (12/31/22) Michele Gaynor
Member- 3 Year Term 9 (12/31/22) Susan Lynn Persson
Member- 3 Year Term 9 (12/31/22) Harshad Anjaria

Fire Prevention Bureau
Council Liaison – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) Paul Carifi

Historic Preservation Advisory Committee
Council Liaison – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) Emily Peterson
Member – 3 Year Term (12/31/22) Mary Purzycki
Member – 3 Year Unexpired Term (12/31/21) Barbara Seaman
Member – 3 Year Unexpired Term (12/31/21) Sharif Shamsudin

Knoll Country Club Golf Advisory Committee
Council Liaison – 3 Year Term (12/Lloyd 31/22) Mike dePierro

Library Board of Trustees
Council Liaison -1 Year Term (12/31/20) Emily Peterson

Morris County League of Municipalities
Representative – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) Janice McCarthy

Municipal Alliance Committee
Representative – 2 Year Term (12/31/21) Loretta Gragnani

Municipal Government Transparency Committee
Council Liaison – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) Emily Peterson
Member – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) John Beehler
Member – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) David Kaplan
Member – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) Patricia Petaccia
Member – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) Nancy Snyder
Member – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) Chris Mazzarella

Open Space Committee – Chair – Mayor Michael Soriano
Council Member – 4 Year Term (12/31/23) Mike dePierro
Member-  3 Year Term (12/31/21) Unexpired Term Len Lipkins
Member – 3 Year Term (12/3122) Ruth Palmeri

Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce
Representative – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) Paul Carifi

Parsippany Child Day Care Center
Council Liaison – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) Loretta Gragnani

Planning Board
Class III Member – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) Mike dePierro

Police Athletic League
Council Liaison – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) Paul Carifi

Recreation Advisory Committee
Member – 3 Year Term (12/31/22) Paul Carifi

Traffic Advisory Committee
Council Liaison – 1 Year Term (12/31/20) Mike dePierro
Member – 3 Year Term (12/31/22) Nancy Snyder

Zoning Board of Adjustment
Regular Member – 4 Year Term (12/31/23) Dave Kaplan
Regular Member – 4 Year Term (12/31/23) Nancy Snyder

Surrogate’s Office Partners with Morris County Bar Association to Provide Reduced Fee Attorney Referrals

By
Frank L. Cahill
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Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County’s new Surrogate Heather J. Darling, Esq., has announced a partnership between the Surrogate’s Office and the Morris County Bar Association’s Reduced Fee Referral Program to match attorneys with residents who cannot afford legal services and do not qualify for free or pro bono legal services.

This new program is offered at no cost to the taxpayers of Morris County.

“As a practitioner in the Surrogate’s Court for many years, I am familiar with the difficulties people face in trying to navigate the guardianship or probate processes without legal counsel when necessary legal counsel is unaffordable for them. For this reason, I am pleased that we were able to work with Jennifer McAndrew Vuotto and the Morris County Bar Association to bring this program to the citizens of Morris County,” Darling said.

Matters within the Surrogate’s Office, which are currently included in this program, are wills, guardianship and probate issues.

Guardianship includes a declaration of incapacitation to handle one’s own affairs. It can be a complicated matter for people who had been caregivers without the need for a court intervention.

Probate is another difficult matter for family members once a loved one has passed and grieving survivors learn the difficulty in administering the decedent’s estate.

In New Jersey, Title 3B is the statute which addresses guardianship and probate. The statute can be complex and difficult to navigate without legal training and practice.

“Bottom line, this program will be a way to bridge the gap for those who have been legally left behind,” said Deputy Surrogate Chris Luongo, Esq.

To participate in the program, individuals must qualify financially by demonstrating they fall within certain financial criteria, with eligibility limits higher than those of most pro-bono services.

“When we started this program, we wanted to ensure that as many people as possible had access to counsel as they navigated the Court system. There are many litigants who do not qualify for assistance, yet still, have difficulty affording an attorney. Those are the litigants we set out to help and have succeeded in helping the most,” said Vuotto, who is co-chair of the Morris County Bar Association Reduced Fee Referral Program.

Attorneys who want to participate in the program can apply through the Morris County Bar Association. They must have a demonstrated knowledge of matters within the Surrogate’s Court and the ability to undertake said matters in a timely and productive fashion.

Freeholders, Sheriff, Prosecutor, Clergy To Hold Community Rally Against Hate

By
Frank L. Cahill
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MORRIS COUNTY —  Morris County residents are invited to a special “Community Rally Against Hate’’ on Thursday, January 9, at 5:00 p.m. in Randolph, with a goal of standing united against hatred and bigotry that recently has targeted the Jewish community and other faiths in our state and nation.

The event, to be held at the Gottesman RTW Academy at 146 Dover Chester Road is sponsored by the Morris County Board of Freeholders, in coordination with Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon and Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, and clergy from across the county.

CCM Fine Art Professors Display Their Work at The Center for Contemporary Art

By
Frank L. Cahill
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Pride by Keith Smith, acrylic paint on clayboard, that will be on display at the REPRESENTING: Artwork of the County College of Morris Fine Art Faculty exhibition at The Center for Contemporary Art.

MORRIS COUNTY — The artwork of 14 fine art professors from County College of Morris (CCM) is being featured in an exhibition at The Center for Contemporary Art in Bedminster as one of its first exhibits of the new year.

Titled REPRESENTING: Artwork of the County College of Morris Fine Art Faculty, the exhibition takes place January 17 through February 27. An opening reception, featuring talks by several of the artists, takes place Friday, January 17, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Center for Contemporary Art is located at 2020 Burnt Mills Road, Bedminster, NJ 07921.

Fine Art Professor Keith Smith is curating the exhibition. Smith’s artwork has been exhibited at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, The Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio, the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton and the Morris Museum in Morristown.

REPRESENTING showcases the work of CCM professors who teach the foundational and intermediate art courses that lead to an Associate of Fine Arts degree. Each member of the CCM fine arts faculty is an exhibiting professional artist.

“Although the artwork in this exhibition spans a variety of media and styles, it is linked by exceptional craft and creative competence,” says Smith.

Full-time professors participating in the exhibition, along with Smith, are Clayton Allen and Todd Doney. Also participating are adjunct faculty members Marco Cutrone, Kathy DeFilippis, Patrick Gallagher, Andrea Kelly, Deborah Kelly, Charles Mulford, Barbara Neibart, John Reinking, Robert Ricciotti, Eileen Sackman and Leah Tomaino.

To learn more about the Fine Arts Program at CCM click here.

Representative Sherrill Introduces Legislation to Prevent Methane Leaks

By
Frank L. Cahill
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Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill

PARSIPPANY — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-At Large) introduced H.R. 5542, the Mitigate Methane Now Act, legislation to encourage the replacement of old, home distribution pipelines which are a major source of methane leakage across the country and to help mitigate climate change immediately.

New Jersey is home to some of the oldest natural gas infrastructure in the country. These aging pipes that bring natural gas to New Jersey homes leak harmful gases like methane into our atmosphere. Methane is 100 times more potent than carbon dioxide – and though a relatively short living gas, it’s effect on warming the climate cannot be understated: the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reports that methane is more than 80 times as effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, making it a prime culprit for our warming temperatures.

States through the Northeast have been working with their utility commissions to strategize on how to replace these old and leaking pipes. Typically, costs of essential pipeline repair and replacement are passed on to consumers. This bill will help ensure that lower- and fixed-income consumers are protected from increases in their monthly bill when these important repairs and modernization efforts occur. H.R. 5542 provides money to states to offset rate increases for low-income consumers.

“New Jersey’s aging infrastructure is an issue for our families and our environment,” said Representative Sherrill. “While there is interest in our communities to accelerate the replacement of worn distribution pipelines for safety, reliability, and environmental benefits, a variety of barriers exist, including cost. Our bill will help replace old pipelines, mitigate methane emissions, and have an immediate effect on our efforts to tackle climate change.”

“I am proud to introduce this legislation today with Rep. Sherrill. Repairing and replacing old, leak-prone infrastructure in the natural gas distribution system will protect our communities from potentially dangerous explosions, save consumers money, and reduce potent methane emissions that fuel climate change,” said Representative Blunt Rochester, a member of the House Energy & Commerce Energy Subcommittee. “This bill is good for the environment, good for our economy, and good for Delaware.”

DeCroce bill aiding victims of crime who seek compensation clears committee

By
Frank L. Cahill
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Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce

PARSIPPANY — Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce and renowned crime victims’ lawyer and advocate Richard Pompelio testified before the Assembly Appropriations Committee in support of her bill (A3391/S498) that increases financial support for victims of crime. The bill was unanimously approved by the committee and awaits a vote by the full Assembly.

“Since 1989, since Rich’s son was murdered, I’ve been an advocate for victims of crime. I’ve worked closely with Rich and my late husband Alex to fight for the rights of victims in this state and I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished to date,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). “This bill is going to help more victims of crime and get them the compensation they deserve without affecting taxpayers.”

The compensation is funded by state criminal penalties and fines, prison commissary fees, payments under the Sexual Assault Treatment Fund, criminal restitution, and the Federal Victims of Crime Act.

“It’s probably one of the most important bills in the history of victims of crime in this state,” said Pompelio, who runs the New Jersey Crime Victims’ Law Center. “You have areas in the inner cities that have not been treated appropriately by the system. The Victims of Crime Compensation Office is a safety net for victims that have no other resources to help them pay for the costs of crime. With this bill, there are literally going to be thousands of people who will be able to receive free legal assistance and of course the compensation they need to help pay for things like funeral costs, bereavement assistance and child care.”

The state office of victim compensation has been under criticism for failing to achieve its objectives. Since, 2009 the denial rate for compensation has consistently exceeded 50 percent.

“We needed to reform the victim compensation system in New Jersey,” said DeCroce. “This bill will right many of the current wrongs and make sure victims of crime and their family members find fairness, respect and compassion.”

The bill increases the legal fees benefit from $3,000 to $10,000 so that more victims of crime may receive pro bono legal assistance. In addition, the bill updates the definition of a victim to match existing state law so that a person who suffers personal, physical, or psychological injury or death resulting from a crime may be awarded compensation. The bill also expands the list of crimes for which a victim can receive compensation to include simple assault, disorderly conduct and leaving the scene of an accident, and increases the time limit on filing a claim from three to five years.

The Senate version (S498) passed by a 38-0 vote in June.

Letter to the editor: Unfriendly Official Town Website Continues!

By
Frank L. Cahill
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

Despite several complaints at Council Meetings, phone calls and personal contact, Parsippany’s official website continues to be user unfriendly. Absolutely no former user friendly or positive aspects of the former webpage were incorporated. Why have not one Council member or the Mayor himself looked into this?

Having been brought to your attention, on several occasions. The website continues as before. How are “concerned citizens” suppose to find relevant times and places to organize, with problems or concerns which affect our lives?

Jack the webmaster seems apathetic; ignoring this situation. The fact that he had to offered classes how to use the site, says much. No one apparently attended these classes of inconvenient nature; most likely because no one could find them on the website.

If it was not for Frank Cahill/Parsippany Focus, no one would know anything. The fact is this “new website” format is not conducive to the public or local democratic involvement in municipal issues. It is a mistake to allow it to continue this way. The prior site had very visible and obvious presentation of meetings and agendas; their only flaw was at times, failure to provide agendas and minutes; especially for Planning, Zoning Boards.

The new website is a detriment to public communications.  It is challenging to find meetings and data on meeting dates, has been incorrect.

No one on the town council or in the administration seems to care. This is another attempt at corrective criticism. Does “we the people” mean anything anymore on any level of governance anywhere in this nation?
Nick Homyak

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Re-Organization Meeting Planned

By
Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Reorganization Meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 7. The Annual Organization Meeting will start at 6:30 p.m.

The regular agenda meeting will commence at 7:00 p.m.

Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the American with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours prior to the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to make a request for an auxiliary aid.

New Course Proposals presentation given at the December 19 BOE meeting

By
Frank L. Cahill
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156 Dwelling Units Planned for land behind St. Christopher’s Church

By
Frank L. Cahill
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The complex will be built on a parcel to be subdivided from the property currently occupied by St. Christopher's Church

PARSIPPANY — GTP Acquisitions, LLC, has applied to the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills for a “Senior Living Facility” on a parcel to be subdivided from the property currently occupied by St. Christopher’s Church.

Parcel will be subdivided from the property currently occupied by St. Christopher’s Church

The property known is as 1050 Littleton Road, Block 166, Lot 96. The application is comprised of 156 dwelling units with a mix of assisted/memory care and independent living units. Amenities include a central social court, fitness center, café, open workspace, outdoor recreation areas, hardscape and softscape landscaping, and a promenade walking area.

Access to the property will be from Rita Drive and circulation and parking will be independent of the church.  GTP Acquisitions, LLC will also purchase the property located at 21 Rita Drive, (Lot 84, Block 166).

The house at 21 Rita Drive, next to Parsippany Hills High School entrance, will be demolished and become the entrance/exit for the complex

This application is now on the Zoning Board’s agenda and a public hearing has been ordered for Wednesday, January 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.

There are signs on most of the properties on Rita Drive except for 21 Rita Drive

According to corporate documents filed with the State of New Jersey, the registered agent of GTP Acquisitions, LLC, is David J. Weiner, 171 Fifth Avenue, Paterson. Pike Construction Company is also located at the same address. David Weiner is a managing member and principal of Pike Construction Co., LLC and has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of the general contracting and real estate development business. Upon graduating from Hamilton College with a B.A. in Economics, David began his career at Pike in the field as an assistant superintendent, then project superintendent.

 

Two five-story, 56,363-square foot apartment buildings planned for Cherry Hill Road

By
Frank L. Cahill
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The site is located at 100 Cherry HIll Road, corner of Upper Pond Road

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board will be hearing an application for Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan Approval filed by Morris Corporate Center VI, L.L.C.

The application is seeking to construct two five-story, 56,363-square foot apartment buildings. The buildings would hold a combined total of 325 dwelling units, with 162 dwelling units in one building and 163 in the other building. Twenty percent of the total units (or 65 units) would serve as affordable housing.

The Applicant also proposes to install 608 parking spaces (with an additional 31 spaces to be banked). Of those 608 parking spaces, 268 would be indoors, on the first floor of the two buildings, and the remaining 340 spaces would be uncovered, surface parking.

The property is located at 100 and 120 Cherry Hill Road and designated as Block 136, Lots 44 and 76 on the Tax Map of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills.

The Property is located in the Affordable Housing District 7 zone.

Additionally proposed are ancillary site improvements, including but not limited to driveways connecting to Upper Pond Road, sidewalks, signs, landscaping, fences, and a retaining wall. Construction would also require minor demolition, including the removal of existing pavement, curbs, light poles, trees, parking lot islands, sidewalks, sanitary pipes, inlets, and manholes.

The existing parking lot on Upper Pond Road would also require minor demolition, including the removal of existing pavement, curbs, light poles, trees, parking lot islands, sidewalks, sanitary pipes, inlets, and manholes

Any person interested in this application will have the opportunity to address the Planning Board at the public hearing on Monday, January 6 at the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard, Parsippany, NJ 07054 beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Trees facing Cherry Hill Road

A search of tax records indicate the land value is $8,904,000 with a 2019 property tax of $237,113.

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