PARSIPPANY — Commercial Realty Group (CRG) whose name is synonymous with, among other real estate properties, the redevelopment of antiquated commercial office/industrial site’s, has once again brought back to life another property at 111 Littleton Road. Originally built in 1976, CRG purchased the soon to be vacant and outdated Class B property in timeworn condition, some forty-years later in 2016.
111 Littleton RoadInterior at 111 Littleton Road
They have since transformed the three-story, 36,000 square foot, antiquated Class B building into a stunning Class A office site, following a two-year and $3,000,000 redevelopment, under the watchful eye of Corporate Contracting, Inc. (CCI), the construction firm tasked with the building’s extensive renovations. Kimmerle Newman Architects, Harding, handled the new design of the building.
111 Littleton was a welcome “site” to the local business landscape, as the project supported multiple construction jobs. And, gave a sought after opportunity for Strategic Micro Systems to relocate from a nearby location and remain in Parsippany, as opposed to a possible move elsewhere. The New Jersey Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will headquarter its operations at 111 Littleton Road as well.
111 Littleton’s tenant clientele, will have unparalleled access to the offices at 111, as it’s strategically located near the I-80 & I-287 crossroads as well as near Routes 46, 202, and 10. “Though proving to be a very popular location, there’s still space available,” says CRG’s Andy Billing.
Headquartered in Parsippany, Commercial Realty Group is a full-service real estate operating company with a 40+ year history of providing high-quality office and industrial space in Morris, Essex, Somerset and Middlesex Counties in Northern New Jersey. CRG possesses the in-house capability to acquire, finance, construct and manage office and light industrial properties. It operates offices in Parsippany and Boca Raton, Florida.
PARSIPPANY —At the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council meeting on Tuesday, September 25, the council members passed Resolution 2018-159 to place a lien on 24 Longport Road, for failure to abate dangerous conditions on the property.
The vehicles in the driveway have been covered up for years
The owners of record, Isabel I. Kowalik (deceased), Frank J. Kowalik, Jr., and Katherine A. Kowalik are the last known owners of record of the property located at 24 Longport Road. The property is identified as Block 327, Lot 12 on the tax map of the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills.
As a result of numerous complaints received, multiple inspections of the property confirmed overgrown lawn, bushes, weeds, fallen branches, and most recently the presence of debris and rodents.
The front door has been boarded up and a red violation notice appears on the door. A notice of unsafe structure was issued ordering the property to be vacated immediately.
A notice of violation was sent on June 6, 2018 and June 21, 2018. There was also a previous hearing held on October 18, 2017 at Parsippany Municipal Building, to discuss the owner’s failture to abate the violations, at which time the owners of record failed to appear.
On September 14, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department along with the Director of Housing and Director of Health and Human Services performed a welfare check on Frank Kowalik, who resided at the property. During this visit, it was determined that the property suffers from a severe rat infestation. A notice of unsafe structure was issued ordering the property to be vacated immediately.
The council approved the hiring of an outside contractor to have the lawn moved, the brush and debris cleaned at a cost not to exceed $2,500.00.
They further hired an outside contractor to remedy the situation by having the rodents exterminated and removed from the property at a cost not to exceed $10,000.00.
On Sunday, September 23 these two individuals were seen on the property investigating the vehicles that were abandoned for many years.
The Township Code allows that the expenditure of municipal funds to put the Property in property condition may be charged against the property as a lien and shall be added and become and form a part of the taxes next to be assessed and levied upon the property. The Council passed the resolution to place a lien on the property for the purpose of collecting unpaid charges due the Township for abatement of the Housing violations.
A notice of unsafe structure was issued ordering the property to be vacated immediately.Garbage on the front drivewayThe backyard of 24 Longport RoadThe backyard of 24 Longport RoadThe backyard of 24 Longport Road
PARSIPPANY — At the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council meeting on Tuesday, September 25, the council members passed Resolution 2018-160 to place a lien on 19 Jefferson Avenue, Lake Hiawatha, for failure to abate dangerous conditions on the property.
19 Jefferson Avenue, Lake Hiawatha
As a result of complaints received from neighbors, an inspection of the property confirmed an overgrown lawn, bushes, weeds, fallen branches and the presence of substantial debris. The property, owned by Jean A. Walrath, appears to be uninhabited and is being used for storage of personal items. Notices of Violations were sent out on June 6, 2018 and June 21, 2018. There was a hearing scheduled on September 13, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Parsippany Municipal Building, to discuss the owner’s failure to abate the violations, at which time Ms. Walrath failed to appear.
Overgrown lawn, bushes, weeds, fallen branches and presence of substantial debris on property
Due to the lack of response and the condition of the property, the Director of Planning, Zoning, Housing, Fire Prevention and Construction has determined that the property has been abandoned.
The township will hire an outside contractor at a cost not to exceed $4,000.00 and will place a lien on the property and will become a part of taxes next assessed and levied upon the property.
Overgrown lawn, bushes, weeds, fallen branches and presence of substantial debris on property
SOUTH ORANGE — A group of Seton Hall University students, with assistance from the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, recently formed a chapter of the Circle K International Club on campus to expand service opportunities for students on campus and in the surrounding communities.
Circle K International is the world’s largest student-led collegiate service organization. It enables student volunteers to gain resume worthy skills, find lifetime friends and do community service that changes lives, including the participants, according to the service organization.
The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany sponsored the club’s charter fee and the organization was officially charted on August 17, 2018.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill
During the Circle K Club of Seton Hall Charter Night, held on Monday, September 24, Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill introduced the invited guests. In attendance was Rosemary Oarsley, Governor NJ District of Kiwanis International; Gordon Meth, Past New Jersey District Governor, Governor-Elect, 2018-2019, Liaison for Seton Hall Circle K, President South-Orange Maplewood Kiwanis Club and Key Club Financial Counsellor; Mickey Cohen, Administrator, NJ District Circle K and Technology Chair / Webmaster NJ District Kiwanis International; Michael Vitti, District Governor – 2018 – 2019 Circle K New Jersey District Governor and 2018 – 2019 International Membership Committee Member: Recruitment & Retention Task Force (also a member of NJ Institute of Technology Circle K); Emily Scharf, Zone Advisor, Metro Division New Jersey at Circle K International; Jonathan Varano, Lieutenant Governor, Metro Division, NJ District, Circle K International (and Circle K Co-Vice-President Montclair State University) and Mrs. Lysa Martinelli, Seton Hall Club Advisor.
The following Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany also attended to congratulate the students: Nicolas Limanov, Board Member, Co-Chair Young Children Priority One; Carol Tiesi, Board Member, Community Committee and Lieutenant Governor-Elect District 9, 2018-2019; and Silvia Cooper, Member Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany. Also in attendance was Bruce van Ysseldyk and Angela Phalen, members of the South Orange-Maplewood Kiwanis Club.
Club President Frank Cahill said “Gordon Meth reached out to me as soon as I took office as President, presenting the thought of our club sponsoring this club. I was more than happy with the idea, and I presented it to our Board of Directors who overwhelming approved the sponsoring of Seton Hall Circle K. We submitted the paperwork to Kiwanis International and was approved, which brings us to this exciting event today. Bringing Seton Hall Circle K is one of the greatest gifts our Kiwanis club can give and to increase service to this community, while developing quality leaders and citizens.”
The 2018-2019 offers installed by Jonathan Varano, Lieutenant Governor, are Tabitha LaRocca, President; Joseph Carbone, Vice President; Sydney Battaglia, Secretary; Diego Espinoza, Treasurer and Tea Scott, Editor/Public Relations Chair.
Lysa Martinelli, Frank Cahill, Tea Scott, Diego Espinoza, Sydney Battaglia, Joseph Carbone, Tabitha LaRocca, and Gordon Meth
The club was chartered with a total of 15 new members: Sydney Battaglia, Lindsey Brausch, Emmanuel Bayon, Joseph Carbone, Carina Castagna, Natalie Cribbin, Diego Espinoza, Ryne Herzfeld, Tabitha LaRocca, Celine Mazzella, Milencia Saintus, Tea Scott, Katherine Strych, Paige McDonald and Gregg Quackenbush.
Seton Hall CKI liaison Gordon Meth, Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill and Seton Hall Circle K President Tabitha LaRocca during the presentation of the Charter CertificateSeton Hall Circle K President Tabitha LaRocca and Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill
Seton Hall CKI President Tabitha LaRocca said “When we first thought of bringing Circle K to the Seton Hall campus, almost a year ago, it seemed more like a dream, a distant goal. It is an honor to be able to stand here, in front of so many mentors and peers, and and say we have reached that dream and accomplished that goal.”
We are very excited for the service year ahead, as well as to build new relationships with the community around us,” continued LaRocca.
For more information on Seton Hall Circle K, please contact Tabitha LaRocca by calling (732) 796-5845 or email laroccta@shu.edu.
EAST HANOVER — On September 20 at approximately 6:30 p.m., an improper touching occurred at a Michael’s store located in the Castle Ridge Shopping Center at 410 Route 10 in East Hanover. A 20 year-old female victim was groped on her buttocks as she was shopping in the store.
The victim and witnesses described the suspect as a white male of average height and build, having blonde or orange thinning hair.
He had a thin mustache and wore glasses. It appears that he may have a tattoo on his right forearm.
He was wearing beige khaki pants and a white short sleeve shirt with what appears to have the Looney Toons cartoon character ‘Gossamer’ printed on it.
Please note the security video images from the store are mirror images.
Anyone with information on who this man is is asked to contact Morris County Sheriff’s CrimeStopper at www.copcall.org, 973-COP-Call. Tips can be made anonymously, and you could receive a reward of up to $1,000.
East Hanover Michael's
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All of the images above are mirror images, East Hanover Police stated
All of the images above are mirror images, East Hanover Police stated
All of the images above are mirror images, East Hanover Police stated
All of the images above are mirror images, East Hanover Police stated
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council is expecting to vote on Ordinance R2018-157 “Resolution Designating 1515 Parsippany, LLC as Redeveloper of the Property Known as Block 200, Lot 1.2 in the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills and Authorizing the Execution of a Redevelopment Agreement with 1515 Parsippany LLC for the Redevelopment of Such Property for a Mixed-Use Development in Accordance with the Redevelopment Plan.”
The building at 1515 Route 10, formerly occupied by Intel. This building contains 213,742 square feet and features a dramatic atrium with marble floors. Also includes a full-service cafeteria, professional gym facility, conference areas, and an outdoor terrace with seating
At the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Planning Board meeting of Monday, September 24, the board is recommending to approve the project. All members of the Planning Board voted for the redevelopment plan, with the exception of Councilwoman Janice McCarthy and the Mayor’s representative Judy Hernandez.
If this project, to be located at 1515 Route 10 East, if approved will be the most dense housing and retail complex ever built in Parsippany. According to Stanbery’s website, (click here) the project size has increased to 500 upscale apartments to go along with the 100,000 square feet of retail and restaurants. According to Mayor Michael Soriano, they are proposing only 441 apartments.
Currently the site of two vacant office buildings, Stanbery Development of Ohio had originally proposed a mixed use of of approximately 100,000 square feet of retail along with approximately 250 apartments on the 11 acre site.
The project size has increased to 500 upscale apartments to go along with the 100,000 square feet of retail and restaurants.
PARSIPPANY — Hi! My name is Ross and I am an eight year-old Schnauzer/Poodle mix aka a “Schnoodle”!
I was abandoned at a local, municipal shelter where I was terrified and a bit sick. I am now in a foster home getting the treatment and love I need.
My foster mom describes me as very sweet but a little shy. I like to sniff a person out before I meet them but within minutes all I want to do is get pets! I REALLY like the company of cats and dogs and would do best in a home with a furry friend.
I would love a quiet home where we can curl up on the couch and I can get pets all day. For this reason, I am looking for a home with older kids maybe 16 and up.
One of my favorite things is to explore outside in the yard. And, as already mentioned, I really like snuggles! I am crate trained and totally ok when left alone during the work day.
I really need someone who will give me all the love I haven’t gotten in my previous life!
If you are interested in adopting Ross, please fill out an application by clicking here.
Follow Wise Animal Rescue on Instagram by clicking here.
Like Wise Animal Rescue on Facebook by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will host a free event on Saturday, September 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to check children car seats. Sponsored by Par-Troy Emergency Medical Services.
Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians will be on hand to inspect your car seat for proper installation, fit and use.
The car seat check will be held at Parsippany-Troy Hills Town Hall, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard
For additional information, please call Dean Snook at (973) 263-7387 or email dsnook@parsippany.net
RANDOLPH — County College of Morris (CCM) recently was presented with two business leadership awards, one from the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ) and one from Randolph Township, for its innovations and programs that enhance economic success.
On September 20, CIANJ presented CCM with a Best Practice Award for serving as an innovation and workforce development leader. Accepting the award at the CIANJ Best Practices Conference was Patrick Enright, associate vice president for Workforce Development. The Best Practices Conference was held at the Highlawn Pavilion in West Orange. As part of the college’s award, President Anthony J. Iacono’s remarks on how CCM assists individuals in becoming the next generation of leaders were included in the CIANJ’s Annual Best Practices Guide.
Proclamation from September 22, at the 11th Annual Country Fair in Randolph, (l-r): Lou Nisivoccia, Randolph Economic Development Committee; Patrick Enright, CCM associate vice president for Workforce Development and dean for the School of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences at CCM; Irena Kaler, director, Workforce Development at CCM; David Podell, Randolph Economic Development Committee; Bette Simmons, CCM vice president of Student Development and Enrollment Management and interim vice president of Academic Affairs; John Ragan, chair of Randolph Economic Development committee; Ann Grossi, Morris County Clerk; Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, CCM president; Thomas Pepe, vice chair CCM Board of Trustees; Paul Licitra, chair CCM Board of Trustees; Randolph Mayor Mark Forstenhausler
Then on September 22, Iacono was presented with Randolph Township’s 2018 Business Achievement Award by Mayor Mark Forstenhausler, the Township Council and Economic Development Committee. In a proclamation issued to the college, the township noted, “County College of Morris contributes significantly to the economic success of Randolph Township and Morris County as a whole, generating an estimated half billion in regional economic impact per year.” That award was presented during the 11th Annual Country Fair held at the Randolph Township Municipal Complex.
“We are honored to receive these awards in recognition of the college’s contributions to business and economic success,” said Iacono. “An essential part of our mission is to serve our local communities and beyond. We are proud of the work CCM does to enhance the lives of individuals and the economic strength of communities.”
PARSIPPANY — Morris County Park Police Officers were dispatched to the Dog Park section of Central Park on September 14,on a report of a suspicious person.
An investigation revealed William W. Kinney, 58, Parsippany, to have a warrant for failure to appear in Denville Township Municipal Court.
He was transferred to the custody of the Denville Police Department.
TRENTON — New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials announced traffic was shifted last night on the I-80 westbound Bridge over Route 46/Ledgewood Avenue as the I-80 Bridges over Route 46 replacement project advances in Roxbury, Morris County.
Last night, NJDOT’s contractor, Ferreira Construction Co. Inc., created a long-term traffic shift onto I-80 eastbound by crossing over the I-80 westbound left lane. In addition, the middle and right lanes from I-80 westbound were moved onto the temporary bridge above Route 46 in Roxbury to allow for the demolition and reconstruction of the I-80 westbound bridge structure. The new traffic shift is expected to remain in place until the end of 2018. The speed limit will remain 50 mph in the construction zone.
Work on the first bridge, I-80 eastbound is complete, and the next stage requires a traffic shift to allow for the demolition and reconstruction of the second bridge. Three travel lanes will be maintained at all times during construction to minimize impacts to motorists.
The $15.1 million federally-funded project will advance in stages, first replacing the I-80 eastbound bridge, followed by the I-80 westbound bridge. Each two-span concrete bridge will be replaced by single-span steel girder structure with concrete bridge decks. The vertical clearance will be raised to 14 feet-9 inches to improve safety for tall vehicles on Route 46, and existing guardrail will be upgraded to current standards. In addition, the bridge piers currently located underneath each bridge will be demolished.
In order to minimize impacts to motorists, a temporary I-80 bridge with two travel lanes was constructed in the median area, and a third lane will be provided on each new bridge to maintain three travel lanes in each direction as construction progresses. Construction is expected to be completed by early 2020.
Variable message signs and lane closure signs will be utilized throughout the project limits to provide advance notification to motorists of all traffic pattern changes associated with the bridge replacement project. Throughout the project, NJDOT will provide information before upcoming road closures.
The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Motorists are encouraged to check NJDOT’s traffic information website www.511nj.org for real-time travel information.
PARSIPPANY — Residents from the Matheny Medical and Education Center created “brave bags” and donated them to the Parsippany Police Department to help comfort children during emergency situations.
Parsippany Police Officers holding the “Brave Bag’s” made by Matheny Medical and Education CenterAdult residents at Matheny, a hospital for children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities, worked to make the bags as part of pre-vocational training.
Adult residents at Matheny, a hospital for children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities, worked to make the bags as part of pre-vocational training. Deanna Willard, Life Skills Coordinator, and Nicole Araujo, Peapack Program Coordinator, came up from the “brave bags” as an extension of the police’s existing practice of handing out teddy bears to children.
Bags included items like crayons, coloring books, bubbles, bouncy balls, and small game or toy. They’re kept in soft cloth bags small enough to be tucked in an officer’s cruiser, and handed out to children during car crashes or other upsetting incidents.
The bags are brightly decorated, and were colored and designed by the residents themselves.
Adult residents at Matheny, a hospital for children and adults with developmental and physical disabilities, worked to make the bags as part of pre-vocational training.
PARSIPPANY — As reported in NJ Globe, Keith Kazmark, Democratic Mayor of Woodland Park, appointment as Business Administrator will be announced during Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council meeting on Tuesday, September 25. He is expected to start on October 1.
Soriano will submit Kazmark’s name to the council for confirmation and will need three votes to move the appointment forward. Members of the Township Council are: Council President Paul Carifi, Jr. (R); Councilman Michael dePierro (R), Councilwoman Loretta Gragani (R), Council Vice President Janice McCarthy (D) and Councilwoman Emily Peterson (D).
Kazmark stepped down as the Elmwood Park Business Administrator and Municipal Clerk on August 31 after twelve years.
He was elected mayor of Woodland Park in 2011 after serving as council president.
He had originally been named to the Elmwood Park post by Mayor Richard Mola, a Republican who had been mayor for 45 years before his death in 2016.
The current business administrator, Ellen Sandman, announced her intention to retire on December 1. She will remain on the town payroll under the end of the year to assistant with the transition. Parsippany Focushas previously reported that Sandman will seek the GOP nomination for Mayor of Denville in 2019.
Soriano was elected mayor in 2017, ousting incumbent James Barberio.
Sandman was appointed by Former Mayor James Barberio to serve as Parsippany’s Business Administrator on June 16, 2014. Prior to joining Parsippany she was employed at Mendham Borough, where she held the same title for the previous six years, and in Denville for 22 years before that; she also served for five years as Assistant Business Administrator in Jersey City.
PARSIPPANY — The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany recently announced a brand new K-Kids Club at Intervale Elementary School.
“The purpose of K-Kids is to develop leadership through service to the school and community,” said Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill. K-Kids is open to all fourth grade student who wants to join.
Intervale School Principal Christopher Waack has chosen fourth grade teacher Mrs. Shackil as the school advisor.
Mrs. Shackil will be introducing K-Kids to the fourth grade students in the upcoming week.
President Frank Cahill said the organization sponsors service groups at the elementary, middle and high school levels. With the new Intervale School club, Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany has all fourteen public schools participating in Kiwanis.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., and Vice President Janice McCarthy would like to remind residents there will be a council meeting on Tuesday, September 25 starting at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.
Council Vice President Janice McCarthy
Council Vice President Janice McCarthy said “Nandini Checko from Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions (ANJEC) will give a brief presentation on one of the most important issues of our time: Plastic in our environment. According to the World Economic Forum Plastic production and disposal generates an estimated 400 million tons of carbon dioxide a year globally and the impact it has on human health is unknown.”
McCarthy is requesting your appearance to discuss the impact plastic has in our environment.
The public is invited to attend all meetings. A portion of each meeting will be set aside for public comment. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings.
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. Please call (973) 263-4357 to make a request for an auxiliary aid.
I received the sad news Monday, Glenn had passed away.
While tears were streaming down my face, I reflected on all the conversations Glenn and I had about his love for Parsippany, working on the police force, and given the opportunity to manage the Knoll Golf Courses. He said to me on many occasions “I’ve been blessed.”
As we all know Glenn stood out “physically” very tall man. He did not have a discreet job on the force, Traffic Enforcement.
With that, you all know tickets get issued. Always remember he kept our streets safe especially for our kids, a lot schools in Parsippany, a lot traffic Monday thru Friday.
Glenn asked me after his first year managing the Knoll to tour the grounds and buildings and give a verbal report to the Mayor and council regarding the conditions and the benefit of a driving range.
Before doing so I called twenty-four golfers I knew that played at the East and West. They all said, the courses have never been in better shape.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Hills Vikings won against Hanover Park Hornets on Friday, September 21, 34-20. Now the Vikings are 2-2 for the season.
This winning game, gave Coach Albano his 150th career victory game at Parsippany Hills High School.
It’s was the first time Albano, the head coach at Parsippany Hills for 18 years, has faced a former player or assistant as a head coach. The Head Coach of Hanover Park Hornets is, Dan Fulton. Fulton was also an offensive lineman-outside linebacker and one of the leaders on a Vikings team that reached the North 1, Group III championship game at Giants Stadium in 2005. He was an assistant coach for one year at Parsippany Hills High School.
Fulton is a graduate of Parsippany Hills High School, Class of 2006.
In his early days he played youth football while growing up in Parsippany.
Dan Fulton Hanover Park football coach
Fulton was hired as the Hornets head coach and replaces Gerry Moore, who resigned but stayed on as an assistant coach. Fulton is a Special Education Teacher employed by the Hanover Park Regional School District.
After graduating Parsippany Hills he played at Lock Haven University until he tore an anterior cruciate ligament. Fulton volunteered there as a coach but soon wound up transferring to Montclair State, where he played for three years.
Fulton graduated from Montclair State, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree, Social Studies Teacher Education in 2010.
Fulton has spent the last three years as an assistant to Moore and also spent four years at Whippany Park under Todd Callaghan and another season at Parsippany Hills under Dave Albano.
TRENTON — The Murphy Administration announced today that New Jersey will receive three federal grants totaling $30.6 million to fight the opioid crisis through initiatives aimed at preventing overdoses, and expanding treatment and recovery services.
“Every day, the opioid epidemic devastates communities and families in all corners of our state. New Jersey is working diligently to develop and implement data-driven strategies that will save lives and expand treatment options for those struggling with addiction,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “This funding will help us provide expanded services to those suffering from addiction and build a healthier, safer state for all.”
The three grants are:
$21,566,035 from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) for a series of initiatives to expand access to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), Narcan, and alternatives to opioid pain medication.
$5,633,509 from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to expand access to integrated substance use disorder and mental health services in New Jersey’s Federally Qualified Health Centers.
$3,412,500 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the Department of Health to assist counties in expanding treatment, prevent Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and expand alternatives to opioid pain medication.
Governor Murphy has also committed $100 million in state resources to fight this epidemic through a strategic, coordinated multi-agency effort. That funding will be used to expand outpatient treatment, enhance real-time data collection and focus on the risk factors and social supports that help people on the path to recovery.
Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal and Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson explained that the $21.5 million SAMHSA grant will fund targeted initiatives including increasing access to MAT, which has proven instrumental in treating opioid use disorder and reducing overdoses; expanding access to the overdose reversal drug naloxone and alternatives to opioid pain medication; and tools to identify the presence of the deadly drug fentanyl.
It will also fund training for First Responders to assist and promote recovery services, re-entry services for detainees, expansion of telehealth services, and expansion of programs designed to reduce reliance on opioid pain medication.
Commissioner Elnahal noted the opioid epidemic is on track to take 3,000 lives in New Jersey this year. “That’s why the Murphy Administration is taking bold steps to attack the epidemic from all sides including Medication Assisted Treatment along multiple stages of an individual’s journey through recovery and through the criminal justice system,” Commissioner Elnahal said.
“Increasing access to medication assisted treatment to treat opioid use disorder is vital if we’re going to effectively tackle this crisis,” DHS Commissioner Johnson said. “This funding will help us advance Governor Murphy’s commitment to combating the opioid epidemic and our work to prevent overdoses and support recovery. New Jerseyans have lost far too many friends and family members to this epidemic and it is time to turn the tide.”
The DMHAS applied to SAMHSA for the State Opioid Response (SOR) grant, which includes funds that can be used to provide treatment, transition and coverage for patients reentering communities from criminal justice settings and/or other rehabilitative settings.
The SAMHSA grant will also fund the expansion of the Buprenorphine Medical Support, Support Teams for Addiction Recovery (STAR), and Oxford House Outreach and the continuation of Opioid Overdose Recovery Program (OORP).
The grant also will fund programs, like the nationally acclaimed one at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, which provides alternatives to opioids in the Emergency Department, obstetrics and dental departments. St. Joseph’s reduced opioid use by 86 percent over two years.
The Department of Health is also collaborating with the Department of Corrections to initiate MAT for individuals who are incarcerated in state, county and municipal jails.
DMHAS, in collaboration with DOC, is establishing three Intensive Recovery Support Teams (IRST) for prison inmates on MAT. The IRST teams will work in prisons, connect with these inmates ready to be released and link them in the community with recovery services necessary to support wellness and successful community integration.
They will help with such issues as SUD treatment adherence, employment and skill training, housing, health and opportunities and skills to enhance the individual’s involvement in meaningful life activities.
Statewide, DMHAS funds five MAT mobile vans for those with OUD in Atlantic City, Camden, Paterson, Plainfield and Trenton at an annual total cost of $4.3 million. The Atlantic County Jail collaborates with the John Brooks Recovery Center to provide MAT through a mobile van.
PARSIPPANY —Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Patrol Officer Jaime Mendez was observing traffic on Littleton Road when a 2017 Ford Explorer drove past him with two flat tires on the passenger side, at 1:04 a.m. on Monday, September 17.
He conducted a motor vehicle stop on the Explorer and made contact with the driver, Giuseppe Cappellini, 53, Whippany.
Officer Mendez inquired if the vehicle was involved in a motor vehicle crash, but received no response. Other officers checked the area and were able to locate a crash site on Littleton Road near Park Road where a vehicle drove off the roadway. After a brief investigation he was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. He was transported to police headquarters for processing. While there he was charged with Driving While Intoxicated; Reckless Driving; Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Failure to Report an Accident.
He was released on his own recognizance pending his court date.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officers responded to a residence on White Birch Drive for a reported burglary on Tuesday, September 18.
Upon their arrival, the victim advised that between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., his residence was unoccupied. When the victim arrived back at his residence at approximately 4:00 p.m., he went to go play his guitar and found that two of his guitars were missing. The victim advised that he began to look around the house and found the glass of the basement door broken.
Parsippany Police Department Detectives, along with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit arrived on scene to assist in the investigation. During the investigation, the victim found a third guitar was also stolen. Approximate value of all third guitars is $5,000.00.
This incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Parsippany Police Department Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.