PARSIPPANY – For a fifth consecutive year, the Township Council is set to adopt an emergency appropriation covering hefty payouts to retired police officers and other former employees. An ordinance authorizing the appropriation, totaling $607,956 paid earlier in 2016 to 11 former employees for unused sick and vacation time, is scheduled for a vote on Tuesday.…
Parsippany paying $607K to 11 retired employees for unused sick and vacation time
SOS Security participates in “2016 Adopt a Family” program
PARSIPPANY — SOS Security LLC (with its corporate office located at 1915 Route 46) is proud to participate in the “2016 Adopt a Family” program, purchasing over $2,000 in gifts for two local families. As part of their expanding corporate outreach program, the security firm and it’s employees are finding ways to help local residents and families in need.
About SOS Security LLC:
Established in 1969, SOS has steadily grown to become one of the largest security companies in the U.S. SOS currently employs more than 6,000 security professionals domestically and internationally through foreign regional joint ventures. SOS’s primary business is to furnish various types of well-trained, highly qualified Security Officers that are specifically prepared to perform security services required by a variety of business sectors, including: Technology/Communications, Government, Embassies & Consulates, Public Utilities, Education Facilities/Campus Security, Hospitality/Leisure/Hotels, Retail/Shopping Centers, Media/Entertainment, Commercial/Residential Real Estate, Pharmaceutical/Healthcare/Hospitals, Manufacturing/Warehouse/Distribution and Financial/Banking. SOS also provides Close Protection Operations for Fortune 1000 corporate executives and high-profile individuals around the world, as well as Investigative, Management and Consulting and Fire & Life Safety Services. To learn more about SOS, go to http://www.sossecurity.com or call 800-SECURE-0.
Santa arrives at Lake Parsippany Firehouse
PARSIPPANY — Santa arrived at Lake Parsippany firehouse on Saturday, December 17 to greet the children, take pictures, find out their wish list and give gifts.
Santa stays in the firehouse rather than going around on the fire trucks because it’s safer for the children and gives him the opportunity to talk with each child to hear those special Christmas wishes.
Other fire districts in Parsippany drove Santa around to the neighborhoods and gave out treats.
Replica Bonsai Display at the Parsippany Library
PARSIPPANY — During the month of December Bonsai Replications, created by Parsippany resident, Warren Singer, are on display for public viewing in a display case located in the lower level of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library, 449 Halsey Road.
“Bonsai is an ancient artful method of pruning and training a plant in a container to become a miniaturized replica of a tree found in nature,” said Warren Singer.
Come in and view these wonderful creative, life like replica models Mr. Singer has crafted from a variety of of obtainable materials such as cardboard, newspaper covered in Plaster of Paris, and painted.
Warren Singer, retired from teaching in 2004 and is currently active in teaching science lessons on a voluntary basis in different school districts.
Warren is also the “founding father” and currently is still President of the Hills of Troy Neighborhood Association. Much of what he has created is an outgrowth of activity from his hands-on approach to teaching science.
Three Parsippany Youths Winners in DEP’S Statewide Recycling Poetry Contest
MORRIS COUNTY — Three Parsippany youths and one Boonton Township youth in grades four to six were among twelve statewide winners in the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s 2016 State Recycling Poetry Contest.
Named as winners were:
Fourth grade: Sienna Dragone, Mount Tabor School and Gabriella Casamento, Rockaway Valley School, Boonton Township;
Fifth grade: Chris Stearns, Littleton Elementary School in Parsippany;
Sixth grade: Ami Balli, Central Middle School, also in Parsippany.
“We are very proud of these young people for their writing accomplishments and of their environmental consciousness,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Director Kathy DeFillippo. “They have represented their schools and towns and county very well.’’
The New Jersey 2016 Recycling Poetry Contest was open to young writers in all New Jersey schools, grades four through six.
Students were asked to submit a poem of 100 words or less explaining why they believe recycling is important, why all students and schools should participate in their local recycling programs, and how best to improve New Jersey’s recycling rate.
In reviewing the entries, the judges looked look for understanding of theme, originality, ability to convey a concept, and creative thinking and writing.
A review committee select the twelve winning poems.
Please, take a few minutes to read the poems written by these four Morris County youths by clicking here.
Morris County students have been successful in previous DEP recycling poetry contests. In 2015, Morris County also had four winners. They were Saanvi Vavilala, Mt. Tabor Elementary School and Gavin Jusino, Littleton Elementary School, both in Parsippany; Julia Bachman, Mountview Road School in Hanover Township; and Katrina Kloza, Rockaway Valley School in Boonton Township.
Recycling is the law in New Jersey, and while the program enjoys a certain amount of popularity, the recycling rate has remained virtually stationary over the last several years. The goal of the contest was to help encourage schools and students to recycle.
The NJDEP Bureau of Energy and Sustainability sponsored this contest as part of its ongoing public awareness and education effort.
Learn more about recycling in Morris County, click here.
Learn more about recycling in New Jersey by clicking here.
If you have questions concerning this contest or program, contact Vicki Kerekes, Contest Coordinator, at (609) 984-6906 or by e-mail by clicking here.
Freeholders Vote to Return County Jail Oversight to Sheriff
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of Freeholders will return day-to-day management of the county jail back to the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, voting unanimously on a resolution to put jail oversight in the hands of newly elected Sheriff James Gannon as of January 1.
The county governing board’s decision followed a presentation at their Wednesday morning work session in Morristown by Sheriff-Elect Gannon, who detailed reasons why integrating corrections back under the Sheriff’s law enforcement command made logistical sense. The freeholders agreed.
“It makes great sense to have the sheriff run the jail and to return to what had been a long-time partnership of having the Sheriff and Freeholders be co-employers of corrections officers,” said Freeholder Doug Cabana, the board’s liaison on law and public safety issues. “We only took control reluctantly a little more than a year ago because of mismanagement, especially on the fiscal side, that forced our hand,” he added.
Gannon, accompanied at the freeholder meeting by Warden Chris Klein and other top county correction officers, said he has been evaluating jail operations thoroughly and plans some substantive changes.
Included are having corrections officers handle inmate pickups from local police departments for transport to the county jail, and having corrections officers take over duties in the inmate holding area at the county courthouse. Sheriff-Elect Gannon also detailed a series of potential inmate initiatives, focusing on opiate addiction, domestic abuse, and GED education and certification, that could begin at the county lockup in 2017.
The civilian County Administration took over management of the Morris County Jail on September 1, 2015, removing current Sheriff Edward Rochford as manager of jail operations. Rochford is retiring on December 31, after serving as Morris County Sheriff for 24 years, leaving an elected position he’s held since 1993. At that time Sheriff Rochford stated “This is an abuse of power by the Freeholders. They are playing with the taxpayers’ safety for their own political purposes. They are legally allowed to take over the jail but it makes no fiscal sense to do so and the taxpayers should look to Warren and Ocean Counties where the jail was taken over by their respective Freeholder Boards and then returned to the Sheriff because it was an expense and a liability they did not actually want to bear.” Rochford explains. The Freeholders spent hundreds of thousands of dollars with study after study trying to justify dismantling the Bureau of Law Enforcement and creating a county police but despite their best attempts, the public outcry shut that down. Now they are after the jail without any due diligence but rather, just because they can.”
The freeholders, in making their decision, cited ongoing fiscal differences with the sheriff, including excessive raises negotiated with corrections unions and huge overtime increases at the jail despite a marked reduction in the number of inmates.
They also cited the sheriff’s unwillingness to cooperate with the County Office of Labor Relations, which has historically negotiated all labor contracts for the county, and with a general lack of communications on many issues.
The freeholders at that time rejected four labor agreements that had been negotiated by Sheriff Rochford, including two with corrections unions. Those agreements subsequently were renegotiated by the county for substantially less money.
Sheriff-Elect Gannon has pledged to work more cooperatively with the freeholder board.
“The Sheriff elect has acknowledged that while having oversight of the Correctional Facility, he will follow all County of Morris Policies and Procedures, negotiate all Labor Agreements with the County Administrator and adhere to the most current economic package as approved by the Freeholder Board,” the freeholders stated in the resolution that passed by a 6-0 vote at a recent meeting.
Bridgegate lawmakers leading fight against Christie’s newspaper ‘revenge bill’
TRENTON — A pair of Democratic lawmakers who led the charge in the George Washington Bridge lane closure scandal that damaged Gov. Chris Christie’s political ambitions are now fighting the governor’s push to pull legal ads from newspapers. State Sen. Loretta Weinberg and Assemblyman John Wisniewski say Christie’s punitive motives are behind the bill that quietly…
Valerie Fund’s ‘Hamilton Holiday Raffle’ offers two tickets to Broadway show
MORRIS COUNTY — The Valerie Fund, with a location at Morristown Medical Center, will hold a fundraiser Friday, December 23 for two tickets to see the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning musical “Hamilton” at 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 3 at the at the Richard Rodgers Theatre on 46th Street, Manhattan.
The seats are in row O, center orchestra. Only 250 tickets at $100 each will be sold. Current pricing for the show is more than $800 for a single comparable ticket and the show is sold out through June 2017.
The winner will also receive an overnight stay at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at 50 Central Park South.
To purchase fundraiser tickets, call or email Madison Welch at (973) 761-0422 or click here to email.
Delta Dental delivered roughly 350 toys for Toys for Toys
PARSIPPANY — Delta Dental of New Jersey (DDNJ) delivered roughly 350 toys to the WDHA-FM radio station office, a local Toys for Toys drop-off location. Delta Dental is located at 1639 Route 10.
DDNJ IT Security Analyst Christopher Butzko, who is also an Operation Specialist First Class Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, oversaw the collection and drop-off, and even had members of his unit (Coast Guard Sector NY based out of Staten Island) collect toys for the drive.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools Launches Mobile App
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools launched an official district mobile App, designed to enable parents, staff, students and the broader community to stay informed and up-to-date on important issues, information and activities underway within the school community.
The free App, which proudly displays the Parsippany-Troy Hills logo, colors and content, can be downloaded for Apple iOS and Android. (click to download).
You may also click here for more information. Highly secure and flexible, the school’s new App is built on a communication platform that permits the district to manage and share content easily. Key features include:
- Lunch menus
- News
- Maps
- Calendars
- Genesis Parent Access
- Notifications
- Twitter feeds
- Video On The Go
“Our new, official mobile App empowers everyone in the community to stay connected and up-to-date on the information that they want and need directly from their mobile device,” said Dr. Lee Seitz, Interim Superintendent of Schools. “This is another example of our commitment to expand communications. We are excited about how our new App will help us communicate more effectively, and hope it leads to a stronger, more connected school community.”
Developed in partnership with West Corporation, the trusted provider of SchoolMessenger communications solutions for education, the new app will provide families with 24/7/365 access. New information feeds will continue to be made available in the App over the coming school year. With budget limitations a reality for schools throughout the nation, West was able to partner with the district to deliver this affordable new communication channel.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Schools to help reach its goals for effective and accessible communications throughout the entire school community,” said Nate Brogan, senior vice president of West’s Education group.
“Parents today are busier than ever and rely on their mobile devices to connect them to the information that matters most.
The SchoolMessenger solutions allow schools and community members to stay connected through a robust mobile platform that will continue to evolve based on their needs.”
Santa to Visit Lake Parsippany Firehouse
PARSIPPANY — Santa Claus will make his annual visit to the Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Co. at 255 Halsey Road in Lake Parsippany on Saturday, December 17, from 12:00 Noon to 3:00 p.m.
Santa stays in the firehouse rather than going around on the fire trucks because it’s safer for the children. It also gives him the opportunity to talk with each child and Santa can hear those special Christmas wishes. Be sure to bring your camera to catch that special time you spend on Santa’s lap.
Parking is available at the rear of the firehouse.
Santa visits Parsippany Child Care Day Center
PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, December 10 the children at Parsippany Child Day Care Center enjoyed a breakfast and a visit from Santa sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany.
The chefs from Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany volunteered and prepared the breakfast which consisted of scrambled eggs, bacon, turkey sausage, pancakes, bagels and muffins.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany invites Santa and cooks up a breakfast and supplies gifts for the children every year.
Kiwanis is a worldwide service organization in over 96 nations. The major emphasis is serving the children of the world.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany picks service projects that need attention. The Club is all local people that volunteer time and talents to make our community a better place to live. We, like you, are busy with making a living, church, family, and many other activities.
The children received coloring books and crayons from Santa as well as a goodie bag.
The Parsippany Child Day Care Center was incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1968. They opened with 20 children and expanded to meet the growing need for quality child care in our community. In 1980, they moved into a new building specifically designed for child care and owned by the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. During the 1990s, the building was renovated with two additions to the building, which made room for infants and young toddlers. They are governed by a Board of Trustees, who are volunteers from our community.
The facility was designed specifically for the care of children, and was built with HUD funding. The center has a total of seven classrooms, a large multipurpose room, a full service kitchen, offices, adult and children’s lavatories.
The center is comprised of a diverse population of families and staff. They come from a variety of backgrounds and speak multiple languages from all over the globe.
A very unique relationship exists between the center and Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. Parsippany built the original building and owns it. A self-renewing contract allows for joint responsibility for repairs and building upkeep. Primarily the center maintains the building and the town maintains the property. They also have strong ties with civic organizations within Parsippany, including but not limited to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, Rotary and the Sons of Italy.
Parsippany Child Day Care is located at 300 Baldwin Road. For more information, click here.
Parsippany wrestling preview, 2016-17
PARSIPPANY RED HAWKS LAST SEASON: Parsippany finished with a 15-7 overall record. It reached the semifinal round of the North Jersey Section 2, Group 2 tournament, where it lost to Lenape Valley. CONFERENCE AND CLASSIFICATION: Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference-Liberty Division; North 2, Group 2. HEAD COACH: Joe Dasti, second year. TOP WRESTLERS BACK: Seniors Mike Ilic,…
Morris County Crime Stoppers celebrates 31st Annual Holiday Fundraiser
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Crime Stoppers celebrated its 31st Annual Holiday Fundraiser on Monday, December 12 at Birchwood Manor.
Proceeds from the event are used to fund anonymous tips received and forwarded to local police departments.
Detective Sergeant Paul Kosakowski and the Madison Police Department’s Bureau of Investigation received the Morris County Sheriff’s “Leaping Leo” Award for their extensive use of the program. The plaque presented “Professionalism and Creativity in the use of the Crime Stopper Programs to solve Crimes and Make Arrests.”
“This recognition shows how working together through programs such as CrimeStoppers our police department not only serves Madison but also supports the county law enforcement efforts,” said Mayor Robert Conley.
“Madison detectives received seven tips, four follow up tips and released three ‘Crimes of the Week’ publications,” said Chief Darren Dachisen.
For more information on Morris County Crime Stoppers click here.
Druid Hill Drive resident robbed of furnace parts
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Police Department’s Communication Center was contacted by a resident on Druid Hill Drive at 7:23 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7 reporting a burglary to his residence.
Upon arrival of Patrol Sergeant Daniel Conte and Officer W. Torres-Czajka, they spoke to the victim who advised them that an unknown suspect(s) broke into his house.
After a brief investigation it was determined that the unknown suspect(s) forced entry into the residence through a rear door and stolen multiple parts to the victim’s furnace, rendering it inoperable.
This incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact the Parsippany Police Department’s Investigative Division at (973) 263-4311.
Driver fails to maintain lane; charged with DWI
PARSIPPANY — While patrolling in the area of Route 46 West and Cherry Hill Road, on Friday, November 25, at 11:27 p.m., Patrol Officer J. Hughes observed a 2004 Toyota Camry fail to maintain its lane and cross over into the shoulder of the roadway.
He also observed the vehicle to be driving at various speeds above and below the posted speed limit.
Patrol Officer J. Hughes initiated a motor vehicle stop and spoke to the driver, Maureen Babb, 52, Morris Plains.
After a brief investigation Mrs. Babb was placed under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated and transported back to Parsippany Police Headquarters for processing.
While at Police Headquarters Mrs. Babb was issued the following summonses: Driving While Intoxicated, Failure to Maintain Lane, and Reckless Driving. She was released on her own recognizance into the custody of a sober adult pending her 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.
Friends of Lake Hiawatha sponsored “Snowflake Festival”
PARSIPPANY — The Friends of Lake Hiawatha sponsored their annual Snowflake Festival on Friday, December 9 at the gazebo on Beverwyck Road. The evening included Santa arriving on a fire truck, hot chocolate, cookies, candy canes and lots of pictures with Santa.
Local Girl Scout troops provided the entertainment for the evening. Troop # 96197 from Lake Hiawatha School, Troop # 96623 from Knollwood School, Troop # 96703 from Mount Tabor School, Troop # 96229 from Central Middle School and Troop # 96134 from Rockaway Meadow School sang holiday songs.
A girl and boy’s 20 inch bicycles were donated to the winning ticket. The lucky winners were Ava and Hannah Amerman-McGrath from Mt. Tabor and Ryan Yekel.
The evening was a great success and enjoyed by all. A special thanks to the Friends of Lake Hiawatha committee including, Antoinette Piccolo-Simmons, Carol Greco, John Pascarella and Rene Bellott. And a special thanks to Mark Krevis, the Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire Department and the Parsippany Police Department for keeping everyone safe.
PHHS Girls Soccer Team celebrated with a motorcade throughout Lake Parsippany
PARSIPPANY — On Saturday afternoon, December 10, The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills celebrated the Parsippany Hills Girls Soccer Team as 2016 State Soccer Champions, and first-time soccer champions for Parsippany with a motorcade route that started at the High School, continued down Littleton Road, onto Halsey Road and a tour of Lake Parsippany.
The motorcade stopped at Drewes Beach for some picture taking, and returned back to the High School to receive “Outstanding Achievement Awards” presented by Mayor James Barberio and then they enjoyed a piece of the celebration cake.
The Parsippany Hills High School Girls Varsity Soccer Team are the North II, Group II Section Champs. They played their winning game on November 19 against Haddonfield in the NJSIAA final at Kean University.
Their overall 2016 record was 10-12-1.
Four New Associates Mark Continued Growth for Colliers’ Team
PARSIPPANY — The addition of four new associates in Parsippany and Princeton marks the continued expansion of Colliers International Group Inc. in New Jersey. These young professionals, all recent college graduates cite the global commercial brokerage firm’s reputation, mentorship and training, and professional growth opportunities as primary reasons for choosing Colliers to launch their careers.
Based in Princeton, Patrick Norris specializes in office tenant and landlord representation under the direction of Romano.
A Cherry Hill resident, Norris previously interned for Stoltz Real Estate Partners, KW Commercial, and The O’Donnell Group.
A member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Norris earned a bachelor of business administration degree in Real Estate from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.
Stephen Graziano, based in Parsippany, specializes in office tenant and landlord representation under the direction of Bryn Cinque and James Bailey. A Mendham, resident, Graziano previously learned about construction project management and performed property demolition and pre-construction preparation for Harrington Construction. He also gained experience in direct marketing and business-to-business sales at Blumarc, a sales and marketing outsourcing company. Graziano earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics from Providence College.
Brett Incollingo, a resident of Yardley, PA, focuses on office tenant and landlord office representation. Based in Princeton, he works closely with Executive Managing Director Thomas Romano. Prior to joining Colliers, Brett worked for Credit Suisse as a business analyst and interned at Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation. He graduated with honors from Stevens Institute of Technology, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business and Technology.
Troy Skibitsky of Westfield, specializes in industrial tenant and landlord representation and works closely with Michael Markey and Jonathan Tesser in Colliers’ Princeton office. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from The College of New Jersey School of Business.
“Colliers offers a terrific platform for motivated individuals like Stephen, Brett, Patrick and Troy,” says David A. Simon, SIOR, executive managing director and New Jersey market leader. “Teaming with seasoned professionals is the key to their success and enables our associates to learn from experienced individuals while utilizing our resources. Together, this provides an essential foundation for someone new to the industry.”