PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department is currently attempting to locate a missing 81 year old black male who suffers from Dementia and walked away from his home near New England and Knoll Road approximately two hours ago.
The male is 5’9″ and weighs 150 pounds wearing a Light Gray Shirt and Dark Pants. He is known to frequent businesses along Route 46.
Please call (973) 263-4300 if you see him. Thank you.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor and President of the County Prosecutors Association of New Jersey (CPANJ), Fredric Knapp, recently joined New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, as well as Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, Acting Bergen County Prosecutor Dennis Calo, Acting Union County Prosecutor Michael Monahan, and Sussex County Prosecutor Francis Koch in the roll-out of Operation Helping Hand. Operation Helping Hand was a week-long program in which substance abuse treatment was offered as an alternative to incarceration for people who had been arrested for drug offenses. The program ran from June 11 through June 15 in Passaic and Union Counties. Prosecutors from five counties participated along with many municipal police departments and sheriff’s offices.
Over the course of the week, 177 individuals suffering from substance abuse disorder were arrested. Of those 177 people, 148 were eager to accept recovery services, which comes out to five out of every six of the arrested. Recovery specialists connected with these individuals following their arrests with the ultimate goal of getting them on the road to recovery.
The success of Operation Helping Hand could not have been accomplished without the efforts of the following Morris County law enforcement agencies and community partners: Morris County Prevention is Key, Morris Center for Addiction Recovery Education & Success, [CARES], the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and their Hope One Mobile Recovery Access Vehicle, Parsippany Police Department, Denville Police Department, Mount Olive Police Department, Dover Police Department, East Hanover Police Department, Hanover Police Department, Washington Township Police Department, Florham Park Police Department, Montville Police Department, Morris Township Police Department, Rockaway Township Police Department, Pequannock Township Police Department, and Rockaway Borough Police Department.
“Morris County is proud to have joined this five-county collaboration whose chief aim is to connect those struggling with addiction to the resources they need, and we are excited by the positive results achieved,” said Prosecutor Knapp. “In light of the staggering toll heroin and opioids have had on our state and nation, we as law enforcement leaders must utilize innovative methods to combat this epidemic. Operation Helping Hand is one such example we can use. Engaging peer recovery specialists in Morris County, as done in OHH, can hopefully be a key component in our efforts. Traditional drug interdiction alone is insufficient. Education, particularly for middle school children, and diversion of addicted offenders into drug court can be part of our battle. Law enforcement is at its best when partnering with the community, and Operation Helping Hand is a promising example of collaboration between law enforcement and the treatment community that saves lives. I would like to offer a special thanks to Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Investigations Stephen Wilson, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, Morris County Undersheriff Mark Spitzer, Chief Andrew Miller of the Parsippany Police Department, and Chief Conrad Pepperman of the Rockaway Borough Police Department, along with Alton Robinson of CARES for their attendance at the Attorney General’s press conference at the New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus on Wednesday.”
Operation Helping Hand was an important step in combatting the Heroin and Opioid Epidemic. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office will continue to work with law enforcement agencies throughout the State of New Jersey to continue the progress that was made in this initiative.
PARSIPPANY — With a mission to put the ‘Fun’ in Fundraising, Par-Troy East Little League is hosting a Comedy Night on Saturday, July 7 at the Parsippany PAL Youth Center.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with the adults only show starting at 8:30 p.m.
Al Caz and Michael Dean Ester will be headlining the show.
Michael Dean Ester is first and foremost a comedy entertainer. He’s been making people laugh professionally since the early 90’s. In addition to comedy club appearances throughout the United States and Canada, he has performed internationally for Carnival, Norwegian, Crystal, and Princess Cruise Lines. Royal Caribbean International booked him for the inaugural voyage of the world’s largest cruise ship (at the time), the Allure of the Seas. He’s been featured on NBC’s late night TV and “New Joke City with Robert Klein” on New York City’s Metro Channel. He can also be heard on SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
The tickets are $25.00 each and it is BYOB.
For tickets or information email Sara at fundraiser@partroyeast.com. No tickets sold at the door.
MORRIS COUNTY — Democrats Control both Statehouses and the Governor’s Mansion. They have spent the last four months arguing over what is the best plan to make New Jersey less affordable. The Legislators say increase these taxes, the Governor responds my tax increases are better!
These failed policies and false choices have left New Jersey and its citizens rated 49th out of 50 in Fiscal Stability and Quality of Life nationwide (Us News). Instead of using common sense and courage to decrease spending and operate more efficiently with less, they continue to pander to their special interest groups with policies that chase life long Jersey residents to other more affordable states.
The final straw has to be with all the reigns of power, their solution is to raise more taxes and fees.
This is why my number one priority and that of my team’s is to mobilize record turnout to the polls here in Morris County this November. The time is now for all New Jersey voters to reject tax and spend career politicians and elect fiscal conservatives to Washington DC, Trenton, County offices and all 565 municipalities in the state. Watch and see. Morris County will lead the way.
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div style=”text-align: left;” align=”center”>Statement on Budget Deal by Ron DeFilippis, CPA and Chair of Morris County Republican Committee
TRENTON— Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick and Conference Leader Anthony M. discussed Sunday the state budget compromise made between Murphy and legislative Democrats.
MORRIS COUNTY — In response to Trenton Democrats various proposals to increase taxes on New Jersey’s residents and businesses by billions of dollars this year, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) issued the following statement:
“Recently New Jersey offered Amazon 5 billion dollars to locate its headquarters in Newark. It is difficult to believe that as New Jersey offers Amazon a 5 billion dollar incentive with one hand, it is pinching their pockets and all business pockets in New Jersey with the other hand. Perhaps they were hoping Amazon would not notice.
“This type of business incentive/non-incentive insanity simply reinforces New Jersey as the least business-friendly state in the country. The billion dollars in new employer taxes proposed will wipe out any goodwill New Jersey may have earned through corporate giveaways.
“This is not a way to attract and retain businesses in New Jersey. This is not the type of government the citizens of New Jersey deserve.”
PARSIPPANY — Pinnacle Foods is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of Wish Bone House Italian Salad Dressing 15 oz. with the health and safety of our consumers as our top priority. The recall was initiated after learning from a retail customer that a limited number of bottles were mislabeled. The product contains milk and egg, known allergens not declared on the bottle. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk or egg may run the risk of a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. If you are not allergic to milk or egg, this product is safe to eat. No illnesses have been reported to date. The Food and Drug Administration has been made aware of this recall.
Pinnacle Foods is located at 399 Jefferson Road.
No illnesses have been reported to date, but the company is taking this action as part of its commitment to the health and safety of its customer.
The product was produced on March 19, 2018. In total, 7,768 cases of Wish-Bone House Italian Salad Dressing in 15 oz. bottles, distributed nationwide, are involved in the recall. The “Best If Used By” date can be found on the neck label of the bottle. No other Wish-Bone products are included in this recall. Specific details of the product being recalled are outlined below.
All affected distributors and retail customers, as well as the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN), are being notified and the affected product is being removed from store shelves.
The recalled items can be identified by a “Best If Used By” date printed on the neck wrapper. Only products with a “Best If Used By” date of Jan 13 19 and with labeling that matches both the front and back labels attached in the press release are subject to recall.
FLAVOR
CASE LOT CODE
ITEM NUMBER #
Best If Used By Date (found on neck label of bottle)
Wish Bone House Italian 6/15 oz.
4913019S51
004132100648
Jan 13 19
There is no impact on any other Italian varieties and no other products produced by Pinnacle Foods are affected by this recall.
Consumers should not consume these products. Affected product may be returned to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Pinnacle Foods at 1-888-299-7646.
PARSIPPANY — The Weather Channel is predicting the temperatures will reach high 90’s Sunday by 2:00 p.m. and remaining over 90 degrees until at least 8:00 p.m.
The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills has a cooling station available to the public on Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. at Parsippany PAL Youth Center, 33 Baldwin Road.
Dear Editor: What I didn’t care for was the poor me crowd at the last council meeting alleging seniors would be hit harder by the proposed 3.5% tax increase. If your actually in a lower income you can apply for and get every year a senior tax freeze; your taxes remain as they were at 65 (apply at 67). But if your living in a $309,000 home how could you be unable to handle $64 a year? (Don’t shop at Whole Foods).
It is the Board of Education that takes most of the taxes; as seniors keep paying their increase. Also the last administration spent over $4 million on artificial turf; letting the BOE maintenance crews deteriorate the natural lawn fields. Then the Waterview fiasco and betrayal no rezone, and the $3.5 million local open space funds for 9.26 acres, outrageous. Why did we pay commercial value when we knew since October 2013 open space was in the picture?
The UPS PILOT Deal in leu of taxes. It also appears that corporate development and new luxury homes are not paying dividends as their contributions amount to 49%. (49% for corporate). Parsippany’s tax ratables and over development has brought us what? None of their tax base goes to BOE. Corporate development should have tipped the scale over 50%.
Mayor Soriano was also falsely accused of creating first two now now new jobs. Not true these jobs are being replaced or filled, which is a good thing. So for $64.93 a year living in a $309,000 home you’d rather make someone jobless? Council President Carifi, Council Vice President Janice McCarthy and Councilwoman Emily Peterson keep up the good work. Oh; were already saving on legal bills now that your truly is no longer causing undue lawsuits and making deals that favor developers over Parsippany residents.
The BOE needs to be scrutinized and I don’t mean the teachers. Here’s what the recent Council meeting anti-3.5% crowd is against for perhaps $64.93 a year. The money you pay in taxes goes to many places. In addition to paying the salaries of government workers, your tax dollars also help to support common resources, such as police and firefighters. Tax money helps to ensure the roads you travel on are safe and well-maintained. Taxes fund public libraries and parks.
These cheap skates would rather the common be demised for their personal political reasons. What can be recommended is a senior tax reduction for BOE. When a BOE can suddenly find $4++ million in their budget and use it for turf fields something is a awry. Or did the field of dreams somehow become a reality?
MORRIS COUNTY -Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco, the Republican conference leader, questioned the Democrats’ ability to reach a budget deal after abruptly cancelling today’s legislative voting sessions and heated negotiations.
Anthony M. Bucco
“This just goes to show how bad things have deteriorated between the Democrats in Trenton,” said Bucco (R-Morris). “They’ve brought this state to the brink of collapsing under their tax and spend policies, and now they can’t agree on anything. Both sides continue to fight over which taxes to raise, which will just end up making New Jersey more unaffordable. The solution to the budget is simple and clear. If we just enacted certain reforms to the state’s pension and health benefits as proposed by a bipartisan panel of experts, the state would save over four-billion dollars. The Democrats simply can’t be trusted any longer with the state’s purse strings.”
A bipartisan commission tasked with finding ways to reform pension and health benefits without sacrificing them found in 2016 that their recommendations would have saved $2.23 billion in state health benefit costs and another $2 billion in pension costs that year. These reforms haven’t been discussed by Democrats during budget negotiations.
The Assembly canceled a scheduled Thursday voting session and the Senate canceled sessions for Thursday and Friday.
PARSIPPANY — Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce said the new bag tax passed by the Democrat-led state legislature is just another sign that Democrats are more interested in pandering to far-left special interests than making New Jersey more affordable for working people.
The bill, now on Governor Phil Murphy’s desk, requires customers to pay 5-cents for every plastic or paper bag they use to carry their purchases.
“People still need bags to bring home their groceries,” said DeCroce. “It will not reduce the use of plastic bags and its impact on the environment will be marginal. It will succeed only in taking millions of dollars from consumers.”
DeCroce cited a study by Montgomery County, Md., which enacted a 5-cent tax on disposable shopping bags in 2012. The analysis showed that the number of bags sold in the county actually went up — from 60,000 bags in 2013 to nearly 62,000 bags.
“The supporters of the plastic bag tax failed to use common sense when they created their bill and obviously do not understand how people really live,” said DeCroce. “If a plastic bag is reused in the home as a garbage bag, doesn’t that eliminate the need for another small plastic garbage bag?”
DeCroce said the issue of plastic bag use is far larger than what people use to take home their groceries. She said consumers reuse bags for many purposes – including lining trash cans, storing food, and to clean up after their pets.
“What do the proponents of the plastic bag tax propose people do to replace the many uses of plastic bags?” asked DeCroce. “If Maryland is any example, people are going to go out and buy new plastic bags and continue to use them.”
While the plastic bag tax purports to raise money for environmental awareness, the assemblywoman predicted that most of the tax money will be eaten up by state bureaucracy.
“At the end of the day all this tax will do is take millions of dollars out of the economy and inconvenience consumers and store owners, while failing to meet any meaningful environmental goals,” said DeCroce.
MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio called on Governor Phil Murphy to veto a grocery bag tax that was recently approved by Democrats in the New Jersey Legislature, saying he will introduce legislation to repeal the five-cent per bag tax if it is signed into law.
Senator Joe Pennacchio
“Democrats will literally nickel and dime New Jerseyans through a new five-cent tax on each grocery bag you use,” said Pennacchio (R-26). “This overtaxing of everything we do in New Jersey needs to stop. I’m calling on Governor Murphy to bag the bag tax. If he doesn’t do the right thing, I’ll fight to repeal the grocery bag tax to protect New Jersey’s overtaxed residents.”
The Democrats’ legislation, S-3267/S-2600, imposes a five-cent tax on each single-use plastic or paper bag used that is provided to customers at various retail establishments, including drug stores, supermarkets, and chain stores.
This new grocery bag tax is in addition to a separate effort by Governor Murphy to increase the New Jersey sales tax to seven percent, which would cost consumers another $600 million.
Pennacchio said the grocery bag tax is reminiscent of former Governor Jim Florio’s infamous toilet paper tax.
“Taxpayers helped to flush Florio’s toilet paper tax down the drain,” added Pennacchio. “They should call Governor Murphy and tell him the grocery bag tax deserves to go out with the trash.”
The grocery bag tax, which is pending the Governor’s approval, advanced through both houses of the Legislature on June 21st. Pennacchio’s repeal legislation is being prepared for introduction.
PARSIPPANY — Jay and Rasila Dhaduk and Atul and Savita Patel are proud to announce the wedding of their children, Radhika Dhaduk and Priyal Patel.
They held a pre-wedding function in the Madzabrook Community and a formal wedding celebration at “The Venetian” located in Garfield. Piyval’s younger brother, Adit, served as best man and Radhika’s younger sister, Nehal, was maid of honor.
Priyal and Radhika was married on their 10-year anniversary; a dream they’ve always had! They first met twelve years ago in Parsippany High School, right after she moved to into the area.
“It was a moment right out of the movies. He saw me walking down the hallway. He stared at me. I stared at him. The rest is history. We were best friends for a year, eventually leading us to fall in love. We officially started dating June 2, 2008 and then went off to different colleges in different states. I attended Long Island University for Pharmacy, while he attended Rutgers University for business. This is when the endless commuting began every single week for the next six years from NJ to NY and NY to NJ,” said Radhika.
The best part about our relationship is that we both live in Parsippany, five minutes from each other. This has made everything effortlessly convenient. Being the oldest children in both families, it wasn’t an easy task convincing our parents to let us date without being engaged or married. We are the first generation born in the United States, so it took some convincing.
However, the parents came around when they adopted their first puppy together, Ace. Now, both the families have such a strong relationship that they don’t deem it necessary to even invite us to their hangouts.
Priyal proposed to Radhika at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco on June 25, 2016. They were on their eighth annual anniversary trip. Priyal flew out their closest friends and family to California to surprise Radhika; then he got down on his knees and proposed. It was one of the happiest moments of her life. Priyal had the entire weekend planned, which consisted of making a trip to Napa Valley; a place she had been dying to visit! Six months later, they held an engagement party and officially became engaged through Indian rituals.
The five-day wedding festivities started with a kick off party, Sangeet night, Mehndi, Garba, Manglik Prasango and Fuleku, leading up to the wedding and reception at The Venetian. There were over 600 people in attendance, which is a norm for most Indian weddings.
Wedding planning was very time consuming even though it was done over a span of two years. However, all the amazing vendors made the entire process facile. It was the best day of our lives with all of the people we care most about right by our side. We wouldn’t mind reliving it all over again. Their yorkie Ace has witnessed the relationship from the beginning, which is why they thought it would be perfect for him to be there on their special wedding day.
He became the ring bearer for his parents. Not many can say they are marrying their high school sweetheart, but the couple takes so much pride in saying they made it.
Radhika said “I knew he was a keeper when I first laid eyes on him twelve years ago, and here we are today; happily married.”
PARSIPPANY — Residents have been talking about tax increases. Recently Parsippany Focusposted an article regarding the proposed budget increase of 3.5% for municipal tax.
When Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council approves a budget submitted by the Township Administration, they only approve the municipal tax portion of your bill.
In 2017, 20.77% of your total tax bill was the municipal portion of the total tax bill. The chart below shows the origin of taxes, the percentage in each category and the amount of tax for the AVERAGE homeowner in Parsippany, based on a home value of $309,000.
In 2017, if you home was valued at $309,000 your tax breakdown would be as follows:
Municipal Tax
20.77%
$1,839.78
Municipal Library
1.39%
$120.59
Municipal Open Space
.70%
$61.84
Fire Districts (Average)
1.69%
$179.34
Local School District
64.54%
$5,720.31
County Purposes
10.54%
$936.89
County Open Space
.37%
$34.01
Total Calendar Year 2017
100.00%
$8,892.76
The Township Administration is currently proposing a 3.5% increase in municipal taxes. So based on the average home of $309,000, the increase would be approximately $64.93 per year.
The other portions of your tax bill, other than Municipal Library, has not been released at this time.
PARSIPPANY — At the Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Meeting of Tuesday, June 19, the 2018 Township Budget was introduced with Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani and Councilman Michael dePierro voting against the introduction. The introduced budget shows a 3.5% increase in the municipal tax rate. For an average home valued at $309,000 the increase would be $64.93 per household. Click here to view the proposed user friendly budget.
In reviewing the introduced budget, a few items stick out
Health Benefits: Increased an average of $2,000 per employee, bringing the family plan to $27,296.24 as compared to $25,393.00 in 2017. Health benefits increased over $1,000,000 compared to 2017. (Note: The medical went up $2,000 because Parsippany “self-insurance” rates are calculated by an actuary each year.) The medical includes prescription, medical, dental and vision.
The total number of employees receiving health care in 2018 is 392, as compared in 2017 at 401. That is a drop of nine employees. The number of retired employees increased of ten. (2017 had 163 retired employees receiving medical benefits and 2018 has a total of 173).
Included in the budget is mandatory payments of $1,093,000.
The “900,000” breaks down as follows: $520,000 for the down payment for the radio ordinance approved at the end of 2017 (Ordinance No. 2017:24) and $345,277 for the increase in Pension Police and Firemen’s Retirement System. Another increase was in debt service of $228,376. These are “uncontrollable expenses.” When Mr. Carifi discussed the $900,000 it was an estimate but the actual is over $1,093,000. (Click here to read Ordinance No. 2017:24)
$720,391 equates a tax point percentage. The $1,093,000 will increase municipal taxes by over 1.5% alone. These are “uncontrollable expenses.”
Proposed Tax Increase
3.5%
Less Uncontrollable Expenses
1.5%
2.0%
If the “uncontrollable expenses” were zero, the 2018 municipal tax increase would have been 2.0%.
Parsippany-Troy Hills CFO Ann Cucci
At one point in the meeting, CFO Ann Cucci pointed out that the budget needs to be introduced by June 29. She suggested the budget be introduced and Council members dePierro and Gragnani can amend the budget before the final passage on Tuesday, July 24. Final passage must be 28 days after introduction according to the statue.
“My concern regarding this 2018 budget is the newly created or additional personnel primarily in administration. Six positions in my opinion, unnecessary or highly overpaid. Salary, pension and benefit costs for these six positions total over $500,000. Since a tax point is approximately $720,000, salary, pension and benefit costs for these six positions calculates to approximately 7/10 of a tax point, so a 3.5% increase in our budget could have been reduced to 2.8% without the additional staff. A significant difference. Because of the huge tax increase and the unnecessary expensive positions, I vote no in this budget” said Councilman Michael dePierro.
Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani
Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani said “During the past several weeks, the 2018 budget presentation, we have heard a lot of municipal dialogue about how the 2017 budget should never have been approved. However, despite this convenient dialogue on the part of the municipal staff, at no time during the entire 2017 budget process and in no uncertain terms did pass, Former Council Vice President Robert Peluso and myself serving on the finance committee, had heard from the BA (Business Administrator) or the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) that the 2017 fiscal plan was not a viable budget. Was I taken back? Yes, I was. The proposed 2018 mayoral budget will be a hardship to Parsippany families and seniors. A 3.5% tax on homes assessed at approximately $309,000 to $500,000, will see a total tax increase in the range of $212 to $350. Families and seniors living on fixed income, paycheck to paycheck, not receiving state or federal pensions, I believe will be overwhelmed financially. Many have received the homestead rebate relief last year, but this year, with the negotiations being conducted in Trenton, it will possibly that the rebate may be cut in half. As Councilman dePierro mentioned, unnecessary new hires created ministerial positions and additional costs incurred under this administration have impacted this budget. If the Murphy Administration in Trenton extended the 2% cap, this administration would be forced to reject this proposed budget and adhere to the cap in the interest of property owners. I vote no on this proposal.”
Council Vice President Janice McCarthy said “I disagree with that because the real problem is there was a zero tax increase last year. Expenses do not stay stagnant. They increase, there is no way that they stayed. They stayed stagnant to compensate for what should have been done last year. So let me just say that the 0% tax increase in 2017 and years of deficit spending, and its deficit spending when you use the sore fund to compensate for municipal expenses when the property taxes can’t cover and the prior administration and council put the town in a very difficult position that will take years to resolve years to resolve now.”
“Now you can talk about these new hires and we can make some partisan points about this. I think our obligation here is to work together and get out of this a financial difficulty and move forward. If we want to make it about the town and the town residents, Let’s do that. If we want to make it about partisan politics, you can do that,” said McCarthy.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Paul Carifi, Jr.
Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., stated “We’ve had these budget books for two and a half months. Mr. dePierro or Mrs. Gragnani, I haven’t heard one recommendation from you in reference to cutting anything. These six positions, I don’t even know which six positions you’re referring to. I’m going to guess from what people have asked in reference to two positions. I think one of them that people keep referring to what previous meetings was filled up until recently and became vacant and then that one was filled. Another one, if I believe what I think it is, has been vacant for awhile and that one was filled. The other four positions I don’t know who they are but I’m assuming they are replacements for people that are no longer here. But that said, we have no recommendations from either one of you for any kind of cuts.”
“I know myself and Mrs. McCarthy are on the Finance Committee. I know we met with the Mayor, Mrs. Sandman and Mrs. Cucci. We made a number of cuts to the original budget that was presented, hundreds of thousands of dollars to get it down to 3.5%. It was stated at our last meeting by our auditor, by our CFO, by our Business Administrator, I specifically asked, are we in this situation because of what the former Mayor, Mr. Barberio did with his 0% budget? They all agreed we are. It was also stated that, Mr. dePierro, you brought up the fact about the library in 2016 we had to bail out the library and that was $872,000 and that’s the reason for the 4.2% increase. It was stated at our last budget meeting that there’s $900,000 in mandatory payments. Mandatory payments that we have no choice, but we must pay the increase of $900,000, which is more than the library. The budget that year was 4.2%. This one’s coming in at 3.5%. That’s $28,000 more than what it was the additional costs for the library. So already we were $900,000 in the hole starting on the budget,” he continued.
“I voted no because Mayor Barberio decided to take another $1.2 million of surplus last year and make it $3.2 million. I went to the Mayor at our finance committee meeting and said, you know, we’re going to start reducing that. And he agreed we’d start to reduce the surplus. So that’s down almost three, approximately $300,000 and it’s trending down. We brought that up last meeting so that we’re not using surplus money to cover what the budget is. I also asked the auditor, our CFO (Ms. Cucci) and our Business Administrator (Mrs. Sandman), the people who deal with the money on a daily basis in order to get this budget under 2%, would we have to cut services to our residents and lay off employees? And they all agreed that that would. What would we would have to do in order to do that? Now I ask people, because I did my due diligence, I contacted in the last couple of weeks a 172 people and I asked them for a 3.5% or approximately $64 for the average home in our town…Do you want your services cut? Do you want to see employees get laid off? Do you want to see possibly a reduction in your Police Department? In this budget, there’s money included for Class Threes (officers) so we can have more protection in our schools. If we have to trim the budget and we have to get rid of people. I’m not saying that it would come from the Police Department, but that could be a possibility and not one person I talked to out of 172 people wanted to see any reduction in any essential services, any reduction in police protection, any reduction in any service. It was brought up about the seniors. Out of those 172 people, a lot of those people I spoke to were senior citizens. Mr. Schindel and they also agreed after I explained to them what had happened.”
“This has nothing to do with being Republican or Democrat, I’m trying to do the right thing for the people. And I did do my due diligence. I contacted 172 people and not one person said they wanted their services reduced at $64. Everyone says, oh, you know the, our Town, my taxes. Yeah. Am I happy about this budget? Absolutely not. Would I like to see no one’s taxes go up. Okay. But we are. It was stated we are only 22%, 23% of your budget. The school tax is the major percentage of your budget. Okay. Not Us. We only control 22, 23% of your budget. Okay. So again, doing my due diligence, I am not happy. Am I happy about a three and a half percent increase? Absolutely not, but it’s what’s needed to be done. Unless you want to cut services and lay off employees that work for this town, which I do not want to do. Therefore I vote yes,” continued Carifi.
The motion passed with three yes votes.
To correct another online publication that stated “The Parsippany-Troy Hills Council needs four votes to introduce this budget. Currently they have three.” That is an incorrect statement. The budget only needs three votes to be introduced and three votes for final approval.
PARSIPPANY — Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany President Frank Cahill is proud to announce the documents have been inked to charter a new K-Kids Club at Intervale Elementary School.
K-Kids, is a student-led service club for students in elementary/primary school. K-Kids was originally developed by, and is modeled after, Kiwanis International, a global network of men and women devoted to serving the children of the world. The stated purpose of K-Kids is to develop leadership through service to the school and community.
The documents were submitted to Kiwanis International Service Leadership Program Chartering in Indianapolis, Indiana. The official charter certificate and materials will be processed during the school summer vacation, and the Intervale K-Kids will start in the 2018-2019 school year.
Cindy Lam, a Parsippany Hill High School Key Club member and 2018-2019 Lieutenant Governor At-Large, New Jersey District of Key Club International was instrumental in finalizing the arrangements with Intervale School Principal Christopher Waack.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Sponsored Youth Board of Director Ron Orthwein said “This is the tenth K-Kids Club to be chartered by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany. We also sponsor two Key Clubs and two Builders Clubs and we now have a club in every school in the Parsippany Troy Hills School District, 14 in all. We also recently sponsored a Circle K Club at Seton Hall University. We also continue to support the Aktion Club of Morris County.”
Intervale Elementary School was the only school in Parsippany that wasn’t involved with Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany currently supports nine K-Kids clubs: Lake Parsippany Elementary School; Eastlake Elementary School: Mt. Tabor Elementary School; Littleton Elementary School, Lake Hiawatha Elementary School, Troy Hills Elementary School, Northvail Elementary School, Knollwood School and Rockaway Meadow Elementary School, two builders clubs, Central Middle School and Brooklawn Middle School; two Key Clubs, Parsippany Hills High School and Parsippany High School and one Aktion Club.
They also raise funds and donates to the Parsippany Food Pantry, Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library, Parsippany PAL Youth Center, Parsippany High School Scholarship Program, Parsippany Hills High School Scholarship Program, Parsippany Child Day Center, Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey, Camp Nejeda, NJ Sharing Network, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of Parsippany, Parsippany Project Graduation, Jersey Battered Women’s Services, Family Promise of Morris County, Parsippany Little League West, Parsippany Little League East to name a few.
PARSIPPANY — Looking for a muralist to paint your life like Diego Rivera? I may not be him or have his talents, but I sure have his painting’s beautiful looks! I am a handsome three-year-old Chihuahua with a coat as smooth as an artist’s stroke!
I had a very rough start at life. My siblings and I came from a hoarding situation. We never were properly socialized or knew what love was until I was rescued and went into my foster home. I have been receiving more attention there than I ever have in my whole life!
I still am very shy when it comes to new people. I warm up quickly once I gain your trust. Then once we become best friends, I am quite the snuggle bug! I could sleep on my foster mom’s lap for hours on end. I love to shower her with kisses to let her know how much I appreciate her!
I am quiet and calm. I would like to keep my future home this way so it is best I go home with kids above the age of 13. I do great with cats! I will actually try to engage in play with them but most times they never play back. I don’t know why! I do well with dogs, especially when they are around the same size as me. The big guys can be intimidating sometimes. I am completely house trained and walk well on a leash! My foster mom says I do not need a crate when I am left alone since I am so well behaved! I do sleep in my crate at night and I do not mind at all.
I wish for a family that will provide me with unconditional love and continue to properly socialize me so I can reach my full potential! I am quite the work of art and my personality is, too! I just need time and lots of TLC for me to show you!
If you are interested in adopting Diego, 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.
W.A.R.’s goal is to find the perfect family dynamic and place our dogs in a loving, safe and permanent home. All of our dogs available for adoption are spayed/neutered, up-to-date on shots and microchipped.
Our adoption process starts with filling an application, home visit, meet and greet and then finalizing with an adoption contract and fee.
Adoption fees range from about $300.00 to $600.00. These fees help defray costs of veterinary and foster care and are tax deductible.
PARSIPPANY — If you always wanted to be a Cheerleader, now is your chance. No experience needed. They will teach you everything you need to know! Everyone is placed on an age appropriate team. Cost: $200.00. Grades kindergarten to eighth grade.
Includes $50.00 refundable volunteer fee. Registration closes July 15. Practices begin July 23.
Practices will be held at the PAL on Monday evenings and one additional day per week.
The second practice day will be determined once registration closes and we know how many teams there will be. All practices will take place between 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Hills High School Class of 2018 graduated on Thursday, June 21. 273 students received their diplomas after the Conferment of the Degrees by Principal Michael F. DiSanto. The diploma’s were presented to the Board of Education.
196 students, or 72% will be attending four year College or University, fifty students or 18% will be attending two year colleges, three students or 1.5% will be attending career education, seven students or 2% will be continuing education, eight students for 2.5% will be employed, five students or 2% will be taking a gap year and four students, or 1.5% will be joining the military.
The Class of 2018 Officers were Jacqueline Pascale, President; Maya Patel, Vice President; Yuti Shah, Secretary and Krunali Shah, Treasurer.
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PHHS Band
Mayor Micheal Soriano walking in with members of the Board of Education
PHHS Teachers marching in graduation
PHHS Graduates marching in graduation
PHHS Graduates marching in
PHHS Graduates marching in
PHHS Graduates marching in
The message is very clear where this student will be attending in the fall
The message is very clear where this student will be attending in the fall
PHHS Graduation
PHHS Graduates receiving their diploma
PHHS Graduates receiving their diploma
PHHS Graduates receiving their diploma
PHHS Graduates receiving their diploma
PHHS Graduates receiving their diploma
Vishal Mansuria receiving his diploma
PHHS Graduates receiving their diploma
PHHS Graduates receiving their diploma
PHHS Graduates receiving their diploma
PHHS Graduates receiving their diploma
PHHS Graduates receiving their diploma
PHHS Graduates receiving their diploma
Stephanie Pascale receiving her diploma
PHHS Graduate Tyler DaSilva receiving his diploma
PHHS Graduates receiving their diploma
PHHS Graduates receiving their diploma
PHHS Graduates receiving their diploma
Valedictorian Karoline Xiong with Bonnie Sturm
Kaitlyn Sterns, Megan Tolosi, Tia Cherbaka, Kirsten Taylor
Tara Antonacci with Bonnie Sturm
Board Member Frank Neglia and 2018 Graduate Nicholas Verducci
Judy Hernandez with her husband, Paul F Giovanelli, at the PHHS Graduation
Mrs. Jessica Brosnan with Benjamin Walek
Retiring Educator Carol Ordway with Tricia Morsillo
Dr. Ahmed Kandil and Mamdouh Hassan
Graduate Adam Giovanelli and Dr. Ahmed Kandil
Sanjay Kao, Priya Shah, Victoria Mathew, Megha Mansuria, Maheem Hasan and Avani Goswami
Joshua Esperanza, Mr. Andy Nicholes and Nicholas Conti
Ellen Chen and Jenelle Ponnor
Rakshay Kanthadai and Matthew Kwan
Mr. Andy Nicholes and Stephanie Pascale
The Verducci Family
Janna Kathleen Belfiore, Nicolas Verducci and Nicolette Rose Kelly
Daniel Gardner and Mrs. Rhonda Pritchard
Flanigan Family
Jared Stock, Mr. Andy Nicholes and Daniel Gardner
The 2018 Graduating Class
Kaitlin Abad
Mazen Salah Abdulla
Mikayla Marie Acree
Alexander Kyle Adams
Brian Nicholas Agostinho
Colin Georges Aguesseau
Edwin Aguirre-Rosas
Dua Ahmad
Ramzan C. Ahmad
Zyad F. Ali
Estephani Alvarado
Liam Seamus Andersen
Tara Rita Antonacci
Julio Cesar Arenas-Toro
Camilo Andres Arias
John Asian
Ryan Charles Astor*
Alexander C. Azzizzo
Emily Y. Baldarrago
Lance G. Bancairen
Francesca Marie Bard*
Gabrielle M. Barrese
Juan J. Bedoya
Padrick Aengns Beggs
Janna Kathleen Belfiore
Taylor Alexa Bellardino*
Donald John Bendzak
Vinesh Bhalara
Raj M. Bhatt
Yash K. Bhawsar
Vincent R. Bianchi
Matthew A. Borecki
Alyssa Catherine Borino*
Nicholas Caccavale
Hayden James Callan
Julia M. Campbell
Juliet Nicole Campbell
Justin Lee Carpentieri
Erika Castillo
Luis Emilio Castillo*
Miggy Yrell Celestino
Matthew Chan
Eric Johnson Chang
Karan Pratap Singh Chauhan*
Amayrani G. Chavelas
Ellen Binhong Chen
Karen Chen*
Yonghao Chen
Tia Rita Cherbaka
Tanvi Chopra
lshani Chowatia *
Michelle Gloria Ciccarelli
Stephania Clavijo *
Nicholas Robert Conti
Alyssa D. Courtney
Nicole K. Courtney
Gavyn William Crellin
Brianna Lynn Crowley *
Stephanie M. Cuervo
Brittney Diana D’Mello
Tyler V. Da Silva
Bria S. Davis
Corinne Renee Davis
Juhi R. Desai
Kavan S. Desai
Rudra Devang Desai
Eunice Dogbe
Wilson D. Done
Dylan Richard Dunn
Joshua Evans Esperanza
Steven Feng
Kelly Grace Flanagan
Jenna Nicole Gabriele
Abigal Anna Garcia
Benjamin Ryan Garcia
Daniel Peter Garcia
Daniel James Gardner
Michael D. Gaudio
Adam Paul Giovanelli*
Avani Goswami*
Shrusti Goswami*
Katherine J. Grant*
Victoria Marie Guarino*
Kristine Guevara
Justin Gurth*
Ahmed Ebrahim Habib
Maheem Hasan *
Mamdouh Aly Hassan
Samantha Hayek
Kimberly Aveana Henriquez
Aidan Elise Higginbotham
Alexis Liana Higginbotham
Erik Franklin Holmstrom
Raynard Alain Horvath
Yi-Hsuan Hsu
Alphonse Lawrence Huss
Amanda Stephanie lancu
Kaitlyn Ann Jackson
Vrinda Jain *
Jena G. Jan
Justin Anthony Jasiecki
Katherine S. Jovel
Enrique ltzam Juarez Duran
Tara Krishnadas Kakkaramadam*
Rakshay S. Kanthadai*
Sanjay J. Kao*
Hemil H. Kapadia
Balkiran Kaur*
Alison Rose Keane
Nicolette Rose Kelly
Koria Marie King*
Matthew Kwan*
Gabrielle Antonio La Rosa
Richard Kevin Laforteza*
Shauna Marie Lally
Toan Le
Amber Louise Lee
Matthew Alexander Leggett
Taylor Brianni Leonard
Ching Laam Lin
Thomas Mack
Mark Frederick Maddox
Kyla Isabel Magparangalan
Adrian Majcher
Brandon Malnarick
Heather Mann
Megha Mansuria*
Vishal Mansuria
Angelo Charles Martin
Gaven Martung
Joseph Louis Mastalia
Victoria Elizabeth Mathew
Suraj A. Maurya
Lauren Rose McLaughlin*
Alicia Ann Messina
Nirmohi H. Mistry
Alicia Marie Mitchell*
Peter S. Mitrakos
Ananta Moharana
Mireilly Fajardo Montoya
Brandon Moy
Aleese Mukhamedjanova
Aytana Muschajew
Arjun Michael Nagendran*
Sharen Nair
Elizabeth Naumov
Saketh V. Nibhanupudi
Sebastian P. Nichols
Shane P. O’Connor
Danica Shane Alvarez Olaes
Sherilyn Nicole Ostlin
Gaetano Pace
Ashley Nicole Page
Jenna M. Palatini
Swaraj Pandya
Ravi Parekh*
Sweta S. Parekh
Andrew Park
Jamaal Tyreece Parker
Lydia Rose Parker
Harsha! Parmar
Andrew Pascale
Jacqueline Marie Pascale*
Sarah Pascale
Stephanie Pamela Pascale
Jeffrey Philip Paszko
Akshay T. Patel
Anjali Patel
Deep S. Patel
Krutarth J. Patel
Kush B. Patel
Mahik Patel
Maya Kamal Patel*
Mohit D. Patel
Parth D. Patel
Preya A. Patel*
Rushil Nirav Patel
Shashvat Patel
Shivani T. Patel*
Siddhanth Y. Patel
Vritti Bhavesh Patel
Zeal Patel
Rucha Santosh Patil*
Dabasha Paul
Kevin R. Perez
June Eileen Martin Perigo
Jack Daniel Picado*
Arijit M. Pingle
Cindy Nicole Piza
Janelle Ponnor*
Jason W. Poon
Gianni Posas
Krishna J. Prajapati*
Christina Proietto
Emily Grace Ptashinski
Steven Edward Puchalski
Geet Bhavik Purohit
Oscar Andres Ramirez-Loaiza
Zaina Rathore
Mairead Patricia Reo
Nora M. Rigolosi
Nicolas Rios
Jeric Michael Robleza
Joshua Matthew Robleza
Andrea Kayla Rodriguez
Paloma Rodriguez
Ruby D. Rodriguez
Jillian Mary Rogers*
Randall Rosado
Amanda R. Rovner
Salvatore Zeppi Rubinetti
Meliton Rulloda
Isabel Sanchez
Michael J. Sanford
Nicholas Allen Sanford
Olivia A. Santore
Joshua Santos
Zoe Saric
Krunali Sundee Shah*
Priya Saurabh Shah*
Saloni Dipak Shah Sneh Shah*
Yuti M. Shah*
Jeremy K. Silber
Jacob B. Simmons
Jordan Kennedy Simpson
Gagandeep Singh
Prerana Singh
Jarred P. Smith
Jason Smith
Sarika S. Soni
Kaitlyn Mary Stearns*
Emma Esther Steere
Jared Raymond Stock
Colleen Marie Sturges
David Samuel Sudit
Alexis J. Sundquist
Brandon Sung*
Kyle Sung*
Hsin Tai
Tammy Tang*
Kirsten Rene Taylor
Vincent Michael Thiessen
Jeremy G. Thomas*
Nyah A. Thornton
Megan Ryan Tolosi
Alan Tomy
Crystal Van Tran*
Lawrence S. Ullman, Jr.*
Juliana T. Urbis*
Diana Elizabeth Vargas
Brittani E. Vecchia*
Ashil Vekaria*
Maulik Vekaria
Keerthana Venkatesh
Nicholas Patrick Verducci*
Hannah Ververs*
Nikole Abigail Viegas
Benjamin Gannon Walek
William Harrison Waller
Justin C. Wan
Albert Wang
Adam D. Warner
Harrison Tyler Weaver
Timothy C. Weinacker
Charlene M. White
Victoria Witerska
Karoline Xiong
Yash Yadav
Rishi Yagappan
Samuel Shi Yu Yang*
William Yang*
Yuanting Yang
Ian Liu Yeh
Sarah Zigman
Alexa Jean Ziler
Eleni Zeis
Note: * denotes students are members of the National Honor Society Chapter.
MORRIS COUNTY — After several school bus accidents across the state, the Assembly today approved legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco to advance the safe transportation of students. The bill (A2436) requires school district transportation supervisors with less than 11 years experience to complete an extensive Rutgers course on transportation rules and best practices.
“The rash of recent bus accidents, including the heart-breaking fatality involving the Paramus school district, has raised serious concerns about the supervision of the drivers we entrust with the lives of our precious children,” said Bucco (R-Morris). “Creating a culture of safety must be paramount, and it begins at the top. Supervisors will be thoroughly trained to promote safe, reliable, and responsible transportation in order to ensure their drivers and employees are dedicated to safeguarding their young passengers.”
The courses include 138 hours of instruction and are available at several locations across the state. The instruction is mandatory and is split into eight comprehensive sections.
The completion of the course is a condition of employment for newly hired school district supervisors, and those with less than eleven years’ experience.