MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Freeholders Deborah Smith of Denville and John Krickus, of Washington Township were sworn into office for second terms, while former Mountain Lakes Mayor Stephen Shaw took the oath of office this evening for his first term on the Morris County Board of Freeholders.

At county government’s 2019 Annual Meeting held in Morristown, Freeholder Doug Cabana also was selected by his peers for a third consecutive term as director of the board, while Freeholder Heather Darling was chosen as deputy director.

Showing their support for those who took the oaths tonight were a host of political dignitaries, including state Sens. Kristen Corrado, Tom Kean and Joe Pennacchio; Assemblymen Anthony Bucco, Michael Patrick Carroll, BettyLou DeCroce, and Christopher DePhillips.

Also on hand was former Freeholder Christine Myers, who declined to seek re-election last year, former Freeholder John Inglesino, and former Freeholder and longtime Morris Plains Mayor Frank Druetzler, who ended more than four decades as mayor on January 1.

“It is an honor for me, and a privilege I take very seriously, to have been chosen again by my colleagues as freeholder director,” said Freeholder Cabana, who hails from Boonton Township and is the longest serving member of the county governing board, starting in 1997.

“My goals in 2019 are to make decisions that benefit all residents of Morris County, to keep close watch on spending while delivering critical public safety and quality of life services.”

Critical issues for 2019, he told an overflow audience in the County Administration and Records Building, include:

• Continuing to preserve the county’s top-ranked Triple A bond rating, and maintain the county’s prudent and responsible financing and budgeting.

• Continuing to make the safety of our residents a priority by providing the best-educated, trained, and equipped police, fire, EMS and first response services across our county.

• Working to ensure a positive environment for our business community, by helping to ensure they have a well-trained workforce that will keep our companies and jobs here in Morris County.
• Working closely with our 39 municipalities on shared services, and incorporating the goals developed in the county’s new Strategic Plan into our county-municipalities’ relationship.

Cabana was mayor of Boonton Township for six years and a member of the township’s governing body for 11 years. He is a member of the 200 Club of Morris County and a former president of the Morris County League of Municipalities.

A past president of the New Jersey Association of Counties, it was under his leadership in 2006 that the association became an initial driving force behind the now popular concept of “shared services.” Cabana will continue in 2019 as Morris County’s representative to that statewide association, a role he has held since 1999.

Some specific projects to be addressed by the county in 2019 include starting up the county’s new Navigating Hope mobile social services operation, building a new $10 million County College of Morris engineering and manufacturing facility, starting work on the new 4.4-mile Pequannock-to-Wayne Recreational Trail, continuing and expanding special training program on school violence for law enforcement and educators.

He also spoke of the need to deal with the infestation of the county’s ash trees by a tree-killing insect, and pursuing the county’s petition to the U.S. Supreme Court to allow historic houses of worship to participate in the county’s historic preservation program.

Also, he said the board in 2019 will take key steps to consider long-term judicial space needs at the county court and government complex in Morristown. He noted that a special information session for the public will be held next Wednesday evening, January 9, in Morristown.

The Morris County Board of Freeholders will hold its first 2019 work session in Morristown on the afternoon of January 9, at 4:30 p.m., and its first regular public meeting at 7:00 p.m.

BOONTON — At the Morris County Freeholder’s  2019 Annual Meeting held in Morristown, Freeholder Doug Cabana  was selected by his peers for a third consecutive term as director of the board, while Freeholder Heather Darling was chosen as deputy director.

Cabana was mayor of Boonton Township for six years and a member of the township’s governing body for eleven years. He is a member of the 200 Club of Morris County and a former president of the Morris County League of Municipalities.

A past president of the New Jersey Association of Counties, it was under his leadership in 2006 that the association became an initial driving force behind the now popular concept of “shared services.”

Cabana will continue in 2019 as Morris County’s representative to that statewide association, a role he has held since 1999.

CEDAR KNOLLS – Do you have questions about the meaning of Life? About the Christian Faith? Have you ever wondered whether Christianity is relevant to your life? Have you ever thought, “There must be more to life than this?”

We invite you to experience ALPHA, where you will be able to explore these questions and share your point of view. There are no judgments, and any question is welcomed!

What to expect at ALPHA:
1) First up there’s a MEAL, a great way to encourage community and get to know each other.
2) Then a Video TALK on the big issues around faith and the basics of Christianity.
3) Followed by small group DISCUSSION, an opportunity to hear from others and contribute your own perspective in an honest, friendly an open environment.

Try ALPHA! The journey begins Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. and will run weekly through April 24, at Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel Church, 75 Ridgedale Avenue, Cedar Knolls.

Register online by clicking here. Contact Barbara and Ed Katona at (973) 214-1657 or email AlphaNDMC@gmail.com.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders will hold a special public session on the evening of Wednesday, January 9, to outline the specific needs and requirements for state judicial facilities in Morris County, and the reasons for the consideration of Morris County Courthouse expansion and renovations.

The special forum will take place during the Freeholder Board meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the County Administration and Records Building in Morristown.

Officials from the Morris County courts, law enforcement, engineering and public safety are scheduled to make brief presentations on the courthouse issue during this special session.

Providing adequate court facilities and securing those facilities are the sole responsibility of each respective county in New Jersey. Previously, the Morris County Freeholder Board commissioned a Space Needs and Facilities Assessment pertaining to the judiciary and county government.

That Space Needs Assessment identified a significant shortfall in criminal, family and civil court facilities.

A redacted version of that Needs Assessment (with sensitive security information blacked out) is posted on the main page of the Morris County website for public review. You can read or download the summary and the full report by <a href=”https://morriscountynj.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/SpaceStudy-Final.pdf” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>clicking here</a>.

At a December 12 meeting, the Freeholder Board, by a unanimous vote following a public hearing process, adopted two capital ordinances totaling $5 million that could finance a design of the proposed new and expanded court facilities.

The need for courthouse expansion will be discussed at the January 9 public session, at which the public will be able to comment. Also, a one-month formal public comment period will commence following the meeting.

<strong>Some Background:</strong><strong> </strong>

In Morris County, the county government, the state courts, and related nonprofit organizations currently operate from the Morris County Courthouse, the Morris County Administration and Records Building, and the Schuyler Annex Building in downtown Morristown, with additional state‐level court services housed in leased space.

Over time, as the needs of the county and the state have grown, so has the need for more secure and accessible facilities from which to operate. Morris County has attempted to meet these needs on a project-by-project basis, utilizing available facilities and space in the most efficient manner possible.

In late 2016, it became apparent that an analysis of existing available space was needed, coupled with a comprehensive and long‐term examination and evaluation of current and future space needs. In early 2017, Morris County retained a team of consultants led by consulting firm Dewberry to undertake this needs assessment and master planning effort.

The study was scoped with addressing the capital facility needs of Morris County for both county government and state court functions, looking at least 20 years into the future, and developing a capital facility master plan level strategy to meet those needs.

Following months of data gathering, interviews with key officials and stakeholders, in‐depth analyses, and development and evaluation of optional solutions, several key findings emerged that defined the recommended solution.

MORRIS COUNTY – Kaufman, Semeraro & Leibman Partner Mark J. Semeraro and associate R. Scott Fahrney have secured a $2.3 million total settlement in a personal injury action on the behalf of their client Stefanida Sloan in the matter Sloan v. Sussex County and Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc., et al.

This lawsuit was filed as a result of a serious head-on collision where Ms. Sloan was struck in her lane of travel, on County Road 565 in Wantage, New Jersey on September 4, 2014.

At that point in time, Ms. Sloan was struck in her lane of travel by uninsured motorist, Matthew Giamanco.  That road had recently undergone micro-resurfacing and the County and its contractors had opened it to the public, without any temporary lines on the road surface and without providing compliant traffic control devices in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

While the contractor and Sussex County argued against any wrongdoing, Kaufman, Semeraro & Leibman, LLP retained the appropriate professionals to provide expert testimony that the County and contractor failed to follow the mandates of the MUTCD, and their failure was a contributing factor to the accident and Ms. Sloan’s injuries.

Ultimately, on the eve of arbitration, the Defendants agreed to settle for $2.2 million, without admitting liability.  In addition, Ms. Sloan’s own insurance carrier contributed $100,000.00 in uninsured motorist benefits, for a total settlement of $2.3 million.

If you or anyone you know has suffered serious personal injuries in a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall, construction site accident, please contact Mark Semeraro at (973) 585-6254.

TRENTON — The New Jersey Division of Taxation reminds taxpayers to take advantage of the New Jersey Tax Amnesty program as the January 15 deadline is fast approaching. Tax Amnesty provides individuals and businesses with the opportunity to pay back taxes or file past returns with no penalties and reduced interest, but Tax Amnesty payments must be paid no later than January 15.

Signed into law in July 2018, the New Jersey Tax Amnesty launched on November 15, 2018. The program applies to outstanding tax filings or payments that are due on or after February 1, 2009 and prior to September 1, 2017. Benefits to Tax Amnesty include waived penalties such as late filing and late payment, and one-half of the balance of interest due as of November 1, 2018.

“Thousands of New Jersey taxpayers have already taken advantage of the benefits of the Tax Amnesty program but time is running out,” said John Ficara, Acting Director of the Division of Taxation. “We strongly urge anyone who qualifies for amnesty to take advantage of the program by the January 15 deadline, to avoid incurring greater penalties.”

Taxpayers who do not take advantage of Amnesty before January 15 will incur a five percent penalty that cannot be waived or abated. This is in addition to all other penalties, interest and other costs authorized by law.

In November, the Division of Taxation mailed a letter to all taxpayers who are known to have amnesty-eligible deficient and/or delinquent accounts. In addition, an extensive outreach program has been undertaken to reach as many taxpayers as possible.

For more information, New Jersey taxpayers or their representatives may contact Taxation representatives at 1-800-781-8407 Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. or click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the New York Football Giants, William J. Heller, Esq. will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of Explorer Post 22. Young men and women, ages 14-20, who are interested in careers in Law are invited to attend. They will meet on Saturday, January 12  from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Patriots’ Path Council, 1 Saddle Road in Cedar Knolls.

Mr. Heller will speak on legal issues such as contract negotiations for players and coaches; licensing, sponsorship and vendor agreements; human resources, workers compensation and privacy issues; legal issues related to operation of MetLife Stadium and Quest Diagnostics Training Center (the Giants’ Training Facility).

This meeting is free but space is limited.  Please register by clicking here.

Law Explorer Post 22 is chartered to the Morris County Bar Foundation. Post advisors Andrew Jacobs, Esq. and Linda Mainenti-Walsh, Esq. lead monthly meetings and invite guest speakers including judges, prosecutors, and attorneys practicing in fields such as criminal, family, environmental, immigration, and intellectual property.

Exploring is Learning for Life’s career education program for young men and women who are 14 to 20 years old.  Exploring’s purpose is to provide real world experiences to help young people decide what field, or area within a field, they will pursue as their career.

For further information please contact Al Thomas, District Executive at (973) 765-9322 ext. 229.

MORRIS COUNTY — An 11-acre surplus parcel from the Loyola House of Retreats is being permanently preserved as an addition to Morristown’s Foote’s Pond Park, it was jointly announced today by the Trust for Public Land, Morris County, the state Green Acres Program, and Morristown.

This acquisition will nearly double the size of the popular park and, with the planned enhancement of the trail system, should add to the attraction of this open space, located just a mile from the bustle of the Morristown Green.

The Morris County Preservation Trust, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program, and Morristown all contributed to the $2.1 million purchase. Morristown will own and manage the property.

“We are excited to have helped preserve another great resource for the community in Morristown,” said Greg Socha, Senior Project Manager for The Trust for Public Land.

The Loyola property has been a priority for conservation for many years. It was highlighted as a preservation opportunity in the town’s 2011 Open Space Plan.

In addition to its enhancement of Foote’s Pond Park, the tract – which is located in the headwaters of the Great Swamp watershed — also is an important element in local watershed protection.

Preventing future development at this location will eliminate potential impacts to an already stressed watershed, and the open space will offer important groundwater recharge.

“The high quality of life in Morris County is directly connected to the preservation of open space, as well as farmland and historic properties, financed by residents of Morristown and the entire county through funding specially dedicated for these purposes,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Christine Myers.

“Open spaces in Morristown and across the county are used to create parks, connect trails, offer recreational opportunities for our residents, help our environment, and ensure that we have green spaces in each of our towns as places to think or breathe,’’ Myers added.

Foote’s Pond Park is a popular spot for local wildlife observers, birders and photographers. Currently, the property is open to the public and can be accessed at the trailhead off James Street, near the Thomas Jefferson School.

The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities. To learn more about The Trust for Public Land, visit www.tpl.org.

For more information on the Morris County Preservation Trust click here.