MORRIS COUNTY — The Christie Administration today proposed a significant overhaul to the state’s Water Quality Management Planning (WQMP) rule that will provide county and local planning agencies with flexibility to maintain high standards of environmental protection while balancing opportunities for economic growth, N.J. Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.
The Water Quality Management Planning rule requires local planning agencies to identify areas suitable for wastewater infrastructure based upon the ecological capacity of water bodies to accept future wastewater, as well as other environmental factors.
The proposed WQMP rule, published in the New Jersey Register, will give county and local planning agencies more flexibility in making land-use decisions and evaluating environmental impacts when mapping areas suitable for wastewater infrastructure.
It also will eliminate duplication of overlapping DEP regulatory requirements to provide for greater consistency and clarity as plans are developed.
There will be three public hearings, including a November 10 hearing at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum–Haggerty Center– in Morris Township.
“These revisions are consistent with the Governor’s goals of reducing unnecessary red tape while maintaining the high standards of environmental protection New Jersey residents expect,” Commissioner Martin said.
DEP Commissioner Bob Martin
“Through these rule changes, the DEP is adopting an approach to water quality protection that recognizes that sound planning can and does occur at the local level. We will foster better planning by providing county and local planners with the flexibility to consider a range of options to address issues and solve problems.”
Specifically the proposed rule will:
Provide for comprehensive planning of water quality infrastructure to better protect the environment in the long term;
Limit where sewers can be located, thus allowing denser development only in those areas that are not environmentally sensitive and where it is consistent with local zoning;
Protect groundwater quality by setting goals for nitrate dilution from septic systems;
Allow counties and other planning entities more flexibility in preparing water quality plans;
Promote more cooperation between the DEP and counties in finding solutions to environmental issues;
Allow for the continuation of approvals of sewer service area amendments consistent with environmental standards and local planning objectives;
Defer to management plans for the Pinelands and Highlands concerning development decisions in those regions; and
Enhance the DEP’s ability to resolve capacity issues at wastewater treatment plants.
County and local planning agencies will have a year following final adoption of the rule to adopt wastewater management plans. At its discretion, the DEP may choose to develop plans for any agencies that do not meet this deadline.
“Through these changes, the DEP will be able to work collaboratively – not as adversaries – with county and local planning agencies, who know their communities best, to achieve the shared goal of sound planning policies that protect the ecologically sensitive areas that ought to be protected and direct development to where it is appropriate,” said Dan Kennedy, DEP’s Assistant Commissioner for Water Resources Management.
The DEP is concurrently proposing a related Capacity Assurance Program (CAP) rule to ensure that wastewater treatment systems avoid overloads that could result in discharges that don’t meet water quality requirements.
While the WQMP rule takes a longer-term look at future circumstances and development, the CAP rule focuses on the near-term implementation of capital improvements or other measures to handle today’s flows.
The DEP has been meeting with stakeholders since 2012 to identify and correct numerous problems with the existing Water Quality Management Planning Rule, adopted by a previous administration in 2008.
Many counties were unable to complete a requirement that they prepare extremely detailed wastewater management plans, which include detailed projections of growth and sewer capacity, in part because this required zoning impacts that could only be decided at the municipal level. This hampered the adoption of sewer service area mapping that is essential to sound planning and environmental protection.
This rule also was extremely complex, overly broad, lacked flexibility, was duplicative of existing planning requirements, and deterred economic growth in areas where development is appropriate.
Despite additional guidance and time provided by both the Legislature and DEP, county planning agencies were having an extremely difficult time meeting deadlines and complying with the rule. The current rule proposal has been deemed consistent with the goals of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan by the State Smart Growth Ombudsman.
Today’s publication in the Register triggers a 60-day public comment period ending December 18, 2015. Comments may be submitted electronically by clicking here or in writing to:
Gary J. Brower, Esq.
Attention: DEP Docket Number 10-15-09
Office of Legal Affairs
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
401 East State Street, 7th Floor
Mail Code 401-04L; P.O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402
Public hearings will be held on the following dates:
Tuesday, November 10, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Freylinghuysen Arboretum
Haggerty Room
353 East Hanover Avenue
Morris Township, NJ 07962
Tuesday, November17, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Gloucester County Clayton Complex
Clayton Auditorium
1200 Delsea Drive
Clayton, NJ 08312
Monday, November 30, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
DEP Public Hearing Room
401 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625
For more information, including FAQs, guidance documents and the full versions of the WQMP rule proposal and concurrent CAP rule proposal, click here.
Andres Giraldo (right) entering the home through the front door
PARSIPPANY — A smoke condition coming from the furnace was called in at 112 Hiawatha Boulevard at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19. Upon arrival of firefighters they discovered a “working fire”.
Lake Hiawatha Volunteer Fire District 4, Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department 5, Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 6 and Boonton’s Rapid Intervention Team arrived at the scene along with Rockaway Neck’s First Aid Squad.
Shortly thereafter it was identified to be an “attic incident” with smoke pushing from eaves on the house.
The firemen stretched a hose through the front door of the home. Parsippany-Troy Hills Rescue and Recovery was called to the scene with the air truck to fill air bottles.
The building inspector and board of health were requested to the scene since the home was deemed uninhabitable.
The residents are staying at a friend’s home located on North Beverwcyk Road. There were no injuries reported.
The home is owned by Newbridge Services, a non-profit organization.
Firemen at the scene
Firemen inside the house
Bringing an axe inside the home
Andres Giraldo (right) entering the home through the front door
Both vehicles were towed from the scene by Powdermill Towing
PARSIPPANY — Ms. Dorothy Lisa, 57, Parsippany, was travelling south in the parking lot of Arlington Plaza, 808 Route 46 at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 15.
Ms. Lisa stated she stopped at the intersection and attempted to cross the intersection, and did not see the vehicle driven by Ms. Carol Melois, 64, Parsippany, in the intersection.
Ms. Lisa was at fault for the collision for driver inattention and failure to yield right of way.
Ms. Lisa was driving a 2000 Acura, and the vehicle was towed from the scene by Powdermill Towing. Ms. Melois was driver a 2011 Lexus Wagon, and was also towed away from the scene by Powdermill Towing.
According to police records, there were no summons issued at the time of the incident.
The accident was investigated by Parsippany-Troy Hills Patrolman Gregory Bloete.
PARSIPPANY — Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. announced today that it will reorganize its U.S. Commercial organization as it begins to transition from a maturing primary care product portfolio to a differentiated specialty portfolio that will include areas such as cardiovascular, pain management and oncology. Daiichi Sankyo is located at Two Hilton Court.
“As we face the loss of exclusivity in the coming year of our largest product, we also look ahead to great opportunities with our emerging portfolio in cardiology, oncology, fibromyalgia and pain relief,” said Ken Keller, President, U.S. Commercial, Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. “This calls for us to restructure our organization into a smaller, highly targeted and efficient operating model, with a greater emphasis on customer-facing roles.”
As part of the reorganization, the Company will reduce expenses, including a reduction in headcount, from its U.S. Commercial operations. The Company expects to eliminate 1,000 to 1,200 positions across the U.S. Commercial function, through voluntary and involuntary displacements as well as eliminating open positions. The eliminated jobs will come from the U.S. Commercial Home Office, located in Parsippany, as well as field-based sales and other positions throughout the country. This reorganization is not focused on U.S.-based R&D functions, which have staff concentrated in Edison, or its packaging plant in Bethlehem, PA.
“Daiichi Sankyo recognizes the macro changes occurring in the U.S. healthcare system that place a greater emphasis on managing the needs of patients with more complex healthcare needs. As a specialty company, we will be positioned to meet those needs and invest in advancing technologies that will make a significant difference in patient lives,” said Keller. “While this initiative will place us on the path toward long-term success, it does require us to make some difficult decisions. We are grateful for the contributions of all of our employees and are committed to making this process as easy and streamlined as possible for them through outplacement services and other support.”
It’s another frosty start to the day in New Jersey on Monday morning with widespread temperatures below freezing. The lowest temperature in the state as of 6:50 a.m. is 21 degrees in Lafayette. Even in the warmest spot, Harvey Cedars, it’s only 37 degrees according to the state climatologist’s office. While it will be sunny and…
Members of Parsippany Rescue and Recovery and Parsippany Volunteer Squad and Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany’s Rescue and Recovery, Boonton, Denville, Pequannock Fire Department’s dive teams and the Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance at a Dive Team demonstration for the New Jersey First Aid Council’s annual conference at the Parsippany Sheraton Hotel.
The Parsippany Rescue and Recovery Dive Team at the Atlantis Spa at the Sheraton Parsippany HotelThe dive team
Sarah Edwards, Bobby, Jeff Edwards, and his trainer Mark Williams from Williams Sports Training, Whippany during his signing at St. Joseph's University in 2014
PARSIPPANY — Senior midfielder Tim Lazorko (Philadelphia, Pa./Holy Ghost Prep)converted a 71st-minute penalty kick to earn the Saint Joseph’s men’s soccer squad a 1-1 draw with George Mason in Atlantic 10 action on Sweeney Field on Saturday evening. With the draw, the Hawks improve to 3-9-2 overall and 1-2-1 in league play.
With just 19:56 remaining in regulation, Lazorko calmly blasted his shot past George Mason’s Michael Butts to equalize the score, 1-1.
George Mason (4-6-3, 0-1-3 A-10) scored in the 34th minute off of a throw-in opportunity, as Jordan Edwards found Jannik Eckenrode, who headed his shot into the back of the net to put the Patriots up early, 1-0.
For the match, George Mason held a slight 16-14 edge in shots, while Saint Joseph’s earned the 7-6 advantage in shots on goal. The Hawks doubled the Patriots in corner kicks, 8-4.
Lazorko (4) and freshman midfielder Lou Vilotti (3), who made his first collegiate start, led the Hawks with a combined seven shots and landed two on goal each. Both nearly made match-winning plays for the Hawks, as Vilotti blasted a shot in the 64th minute that nearly went in for the equalizer but was saved and Lazorko sent a free kick just high in the 87 minute.
Sophomore goalkeeper Bobby Edwards (Parsippany/St. Benedict’s Prep) (2-6-2, 1-2-1 A-10) made five saves – including two in the final 15:00 of regulation – in the full 110:00. Edwards made a phenomenal diving stop in the 76th minute, cleared out by Lazorko. Immediately following that play, Edwards intercepted George Mason’s deep throw-in to regain possession for the Crimson and Gray.
Saint Joseph’s will play its next three matches on the road, beginning at Davidson this Wednesday, October 21. Start time at Davidson’s Alumni Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
PARSIPPANY — To raise money for club and state projects, the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills (WCPTH) has joined forces with the Women’s Theater Company to present a showing of Love, Loss and What I Wore, a play by Delia and Nora Ephron, based on the bestselling book by Ilene Beckerman.
The special evening is on Thursday, November 5 at the Parsippany Playhouse at the Parsippany Community Center.
WCPTH club members will be selling tickets for an evening of theater, appetizers, wine, and goodies. There will also be a silent auction and door prizes.
Tickets are $30.00. 7:00 p.m. for appetizers and drinks. 8:00 p.m. the performance starts.
For more information or tickets contact Mary Ann at (973) 285-0762 or email by clicking here.
The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC (NJSFWC), which is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service.
PARSIPPANY — Sons of Italy Chapter 2561 donated the pasta, sausage, meatballs, sauce and then cooked the food for the fundraiser for Par-Troy Wrestling Club. Also included in the meal was salad, bread and dessert.
Pat Rocco volunteering during the fundraiser
Isabella Rocco and Gianna DiGulielmo
Sons of Italy cooking pasta for the event
The Cooks: Joe Jannarone Jr.,, Domenic Rocco, Mayor James Barberio, Ralph Rocco, Juwan Rodriguez and John Gangone
Ronnie Petzinger, Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., and Angela Petzinger
Sydney Petzinger and Justin Carifi
Council Vice President Robert Peluso being served by Secretary Cris Parente
Past President Par-Troy Wrestling Team June Madina presents plaque of “Thank You” to Joe Jannarone, Jr.
Glen Foli, Dive coordinator Parsippany Rescue and Recovery enjoying the Italian dinner
Council candidate Nick Kumburis enjoying the delicious Italian cooked meal
The team is raising funds to purchase a new mat.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 5 also donated the space for the event.
Children had the opportunity to play games and bingo.
Past President Par-Troy Wrestling Team June Madina presented Joe Jannarone, Jr., President of the Sons of Italy 2561 with a plaque reading “In the sincere appreciation for the support and sincere dedication you have given to the Par-Troy Wrestling Team.”
Parsippany is such a large town that its children’s wrestling programs are traditionally split into two teams – the Parsippany Redhawks and the Parsippany Hills Vikings. Both had long-established histories, successes, and victories. As strong as both teams functioned separately, coaches, wrestlers, and parents knew that if they joined forces to create one team Parsippany Wrestling would become a major squad.
This became a reality in the spring of 2010. The Par-Troy Wrestling Club was formed with the motto, “One Town. One Team.”
PTWC registers children from grades kindergarten through eighth grade and participates in a number of competitive wrestling leagues. Their function with a full Executive Board and Executive Committee Members. Their major annual fundraiser is a two-day Holiday Tournament with teams gathering from all over. Over the years PTWC boasts successes of all the kids, including:
New Jersey Kids State Qualifying Wrestlers, Place Winners and Champions
Participation and Great Success in Numerous Leagues: Grade School, Passaic County, Tri-County, Future Stars, Northwest NJ K-6, North Jersey, Northern NJ Gold and Silver Teams, and King of the Mat
Place Winners and Champions at Competitive Tournaments
Bronze Certified Coaches
Alumni Wrestlers who move on and are highly successful at Parsippany High School, Parsippany Hills High School, and local private programs
The full roster looks forward to more success under the club’s long list of qualified coaches. The 2015-2016 season will include participation of teams in five competitive leagues – King of the Mat, Future Stars, North New Jersey Gold, and the New Jersey Grade School League.
For more information on Par-Troy Wrestling, click here.
Susan Elbin was one of the food servers at the fundraiser
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany United Methodist Church held a successful all-you-can-eat Ham Dinner fundraiser. The dinner included Ham, Corn, Marconi and Cheese, String Beans, Baked Beans, and Rolls. Also, members of the church cooked homemade desserts.
Connie Keller and Nicolas Limanov
Joseph McCarthy and Council Candidate Greg Elbin
Council Candidate Janice McCarthy with Former Councilman Jonathan Nelson
Council Candidate Janice McCarthy with Joanne Rich
Bob Keller with Council candidate Nick Kumburis
Susan Elbin was one of the food servers at the fundraiser
Marissa Cogen and Betsy Adams
Betty Polen was serving the delicious desserts
The cooks: Jack Walsh, Len Bostwick, Tracy Booth, Bill Gripp and Justin Cogan
Smiling faces: Hwa Chun, Susan Elbin and Laurie Wilken
Brieanna Lomieo and Marissa Cogen tasting a piece of cake
Karen Gajewski and Tony enjoying the delicious Ham Dinner
The Parsippany United Methodist Church (PUMC) is located at 903 South Beverwyck Road. You can reach them by calling (973) 887-4657, or click here to visit their website.
The Parsippany United Methodist Church congregation was founded in 1830. In 1962, the century-old original church building was torn down to make room for an interstate highway. An education building and fellowship hall were built on a new location, but for years the congregation dreamed of a new, dedicated sanctuary. An identity was shaped over the course of the forty years between the evacuation of the original church building and the completion of the new sanctuary.
The PUMC congregation worshipped together in a fellowship hall that was also used for church dinners and play productions. People were drawn to the congregation not for the edifice — the school-like building wasn’t much to look at — but by qualities they experienced in the fellowship and worship. Together we shaped a congregational life characterized by unusual warmth, inclusion, artistic creativity, humor and prayerfulness.
Following Pastor Jeff Edwards arrival in 1989, PUMC congregational growth made it possible for the church to actively plan for the construction of a new worship space. Together they engaged in a long process of envisioning, fundraising, and planning for a new sanctuary that, with its simple and open design, was in keeping with the spirit of our congregation.
Construction began in November of 2001, in the midst of the national grief of 9/11. As they witnessed people spontaneously flock to communal holy spaces seeking contact with the Eternal, there seemed a rightness to building the sanctuary as an expression of hope in unsettling times.
Six months into construction, amid the typical frustrations and setbacks that are a part of this process, the chairperson of the building committee suddenly died. Shortly thereafter his wife also died. When finally the new sanctuary was dedicated six months later in December of 2002, the joy they felt was mixed with sadness that this much beloved couple who had been so instrumental in sustaining our dream of the new sanctuary for forty years was not with us to share in the celebration.
Services are held on Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
The PUMC Youth Group meets approximately every other Sunday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. All 8th through 12th graders are invited.
Breakfast for Men is held Tuesday mornings at 7:15 a.m. at the Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46 East. Free form discussion is concluded with a prayer. All men are welcome.
Michael Hartmann, Karen DeChristopher from Parsippany CERT and member of Denville CERT
Betsy Lowry with her precious dog, Penny
Everyone was enjoying the day
Ellen Sandman, one of the volunteers
The animals in the petting zoo
The animals in the petting zoo
DENVILLE — The Sixth Annual St. Francis Fall Festival, a one-day charity event to benefit the St. Francis Residential Community. St. Francis Residential Community is a ministry of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother that provides unique and affordable options for senior living in a dignified and beautiful setting was held on Sunday, October 11.
The festival is a family oriented and traditional day of fall fun. For many years, Denville hosted the former St. Clare’s Harvest Festival at the same location – a former working farm with barns and fields providing a picturesque backdrop. Since the Harvest Festival event ended the demand for a fun, family oriented autumn event has been met.
Denville is a lovely old-fashioned town located in the center of affluent Morris County. The town is filled with quaint shops, cozy restaurants, and spas. The event draws people directly from three bordering counties as well as New York and Pennsylvania. The event was an enjoyable high quality experience for the whole family, including German Food, Beer Garden, 50/50 tickets, rides, games and many other crowd drawing events.
Joyce Garrow, Kiwanis Club President Connie Keller and Karen DeChristopher
PARSIPPANY — Volunteers and friends of Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany participated in “Click Your Knitting Needs Together, To Prevent Infant Abuse.”
They knitted and crocheted caps that are given to baby boys and girls in November and December to help educate parents about the “Period of Purple Crying,” a normal, but frustrating period of increased crying all infants experience in the first few weeks and months after birth.
The PURPLE program is designed to help parents of new babies understand a developmental stage that is not widely known. It provides education on the normal crying curve and the dangers of shaking a baby.
Additionally the program tries to create a cultural change in how parents, caregivers, and everyone in the community understand the normalcy of this early infant crying and the dangers of reacting to an infant’s crying in frustration. The program is based on over 50 years of scientific research on infant crying, the connection between the crying curve and the incidence of SBS. It has undergone extensive evaluation with randomized controlled trials with 4400 participants and 32 parent focus groups. Therefore, in order to achieve consistent results, the program is delivered using a very specific protocol.
Prevent Child Abuse – New Jersey is the New Jersey Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, a network of chapters in all 50 states. Our mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect, in all forms, for all New Jersey children. Prevent Child Abuse-New Jersey is the only statewide non-profit dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect in all forms, for all New Jersey children.
Why PURPLE?
The acronym PURPLE is used to describe specific characteristics of an infant’s crying during this phase and let parents and caregivers know that what they are experiencing is indeed normal and, although frustrating, is simply a phase in their child’s development that will pass. The word Period is important because it tells parents that it is only temporary and will come to an end!
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany meets on Thursday morning at 7:15 a.m. at Empire Diner, 1315 Route 46. For more information, click here.
Taner Uygun, Rachael, Home Dept, Dave Cavaliere, Nick Cucchiara, Mike Lambert, Brian Ricci and Andres Giaraldo
PARSIPPANY — Home Depot, 780 Route 46, held a fire prevention day on Saturday, October 17. Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire Department District 5 participated in the event with members Taner Uygun, Rachael, Home Dept, Dave Cavaliere, Nick Cucchiara, Mike Lambert, Brian Ricci and Andres Giaraldo.
Brian Ricci, newly appointed Parsippany-Troy Hills Fire Inspector was guiding the children through the fire safety trailer and showing them methods of escape in the event of a fire, as well as answering questions.
Children had the opportunity to explore the fire truck and explored the various apparatus.
Home Depot employees set up work station for children to paint and learn to use some hand tools.Home Depot treated all the volunteer to lunch.
The fire safety trailerChildren had the opportunity to paint
PARSIPPANY — Kristen Leigh Ritter (Taylor) passed away unexpectedly on October 14, 2015 at the age of 38.
From the day she was born she touched this world and everyone in and around her. Kristen’s love and energy was so infectious that she elevated people to raise their game and strive to do more. She loved to travel, and with her husband T.J. they visited over 53 countries. She also loved music, cars and especially the NY Jets.
Kristen was born in Manhattan, NY and has lived in Parsippany for the last nine years.
She received her Bachelor’s degree from American Military University and her Master’s degree in Science from College of St. Elizabeth. Kristen was very influential at Newscorp where she worked for many years before becoming the head of internal communications at Aetna a year ago. She was on the board of directors for the Special Olympics where she helped to raise over 20 million dollars.
Kristen is survived by her beloved husband and best friend of 17 years, Thomas “T.J.” Ritter of Parsippany. She is also survived by her mother Celia Thompson and her father Peter Taylor, as well as her siblings Samantha Taylor of Los Angeles, CA, Heather and her husband Thomas Kelly of Staten Island, Nicole Thompson of Staten Island, and Anthony and his wife Kristyn Thompson Allentown, PA. Also surviving her are her nephews Thomas, Michael and Nicholas Kelly, and her nieces Alexis and Amelia Thompson, as well as her brother in law Timmy Ritter and her mother in law Judith Ritter, both of FL. She was predeceased by her father in law John Ritter and her beloved grandparents Nanny & Popoo, Frank and Margaret Laricchia.
Funeral services will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday October 20, 2015 at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, and then going to St. Christopher’s Church in Parsippany for a 10:00 a.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial Mass. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Monday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to: Special Olympics of NJ, One Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.
PARSIPPANY — The new Zinburger on Route 10 raised $10,000 for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern NJ and presented a check this morning.
Zinburger sold a limited edition VIP Gold Package for $100 with all proceeds benefiting the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern NJ, an organization that builds self-esteem and brings quality mentoring to children throughout Northern New Jersey.
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery in front of the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel
Parsippany Rescue and Recovery at the EMS Educational Symposium and Trade Show
PARSIPPANY — The Emergency Medical Services Council of New Jersey will be hosting an EMS Educational Symposium and Trade Show at the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel, 199 Smith Road.
Come out to see the exhibits and ambulances on display and to support our own Parsippany Rescue and Recovery team as they demonstrate an Underwater Recovery rescue at the pool in Atlantis Health Spa on Sunday, October 17 at 12:30 p.m.
There will also be a Tricky Tray being held on Saturday and Sunday.
Assemblyman Jay Webber and Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce addressing the students
Assemblyman Jay Webber addressing the students
PARSIPPANY — Students from Parsippany Hills High School participated in the Legislators Back-to-School Program on Wednesday, October 14 with Assemblyman Jay Webber and Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce.
Assemblyman Webber and Assemblywoman DeCroce visited with the senior Institute for Political & Legal Education class of teacher Mr. Adam Pavese on Wednesday, October 14. With the students, the Assembly Members discussed their roles as Legislators and representatives of citizens and answered student questions about government and politics at the State and National levels.
Student questions touched on many topics, including Atlantic City, taxes, manufacturing jobs, and standardized testing.
With elections approaching and these seniors eligible to vote for the first time, Assemblyman Webber and Assemblywoman DeCroce emphasized that students should exercise their important right and civic duty to vote for representatives of their choosing.
“It is an honor and privilege to represent the residents of Parsippany, including its students, in the State Legislature.
The seniors asked informed and excellent questions, and I hope they remain encouraged in their involvement with New Jersey’s government,” stated Assemblyman Webber.
Assemblyman Webber was especially pleased to see student Jeffrey Hunt in the class. Jeffrey first became interested in public service when he attended the 2009 New Jersey Reagan Day, an annual tribute to the leadership of President Ronald Reagan founded and hosted by Assemblyman Webber.
Jeffrey Hunt is President of the Student Council at Parsippany Hills High School.
The America’s Legislators Back-to-School Program was founded in 1999 to educate students about our system of representative democracy. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) provides educational materials about representative democracy for legislators’ use in the presentations to K to 12 classes.
The bipartisan program, sponsored by NCSL’s Trust for Representative Democracy, encourages lawmakers to visit classrooms to help students understand and appreciate our system of representative democracy.
PARSIPPANY — Patrolman David Cavaliere responded to a resident on Alexander Avenue on a report of a theft of a lawn sign.
Upon his arrival he spoke to the home owner who stated unknown actors stole the lawn sign that supported the teachers of Parsippany around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 11.
The victim stated the vehicle appeared to be a silver in color.
This incident is still under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call the Investigative Division at (973) 263-4313.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Sheriff Edward Rochford, asked to respond to the freeholders’ demand that he re-negotiate contracts or cut jobs, issued this response today:
“I have fulfilled my Constitutional requirement in signing reasonable contracts that are within the already established salary parameters set forth by the Freeholders for county law enforcement. It is up to the unions to decide a course of action, if any, they wish to take.
It is disappointing, however, that the collective bargaining process is aired in the press. Hopefully the county will exercise their authority and ability to honor the contracts so that the public safety is not jeopardized.” Sheriff Edward Rochford stated.
MORRIS COUNTY — A letter unanimously authorized by the seven-member Morris County Board of Freeholders has been sent to Morris County Sheriff Edward V. Rochford advising him that contracts he has negotiated with four labor unions representing his employees would far exceed his budget and could only be implemented through his layoffs of more than two dozen officers and civilian employees over the next two years.
The letter, signed by Morris County Administrator John Bonanni and sent to Sheriff Rochford on Thursday, explained that pay increases of 25 percent to 31 percent over three to four years negotiated by the sheriff for 2015, 2016 and 2017 with employees in his Division of Law Enforcement would far exceed his budget.
The freeholders, in the letter, strongly suggest that the sheriff re-negotiate those contracts to bring them proposed salary increases in line with realistic budget numbers and projections. Otherwise, the sheriff was advised that he should begin the process of developing a lay-off plan that would achieve needed savings to allow for pay increases he would like to implement.
The sheriff previously had been advised by the county, in July, that he would not have enough money to fund proposed salaries if he moved ahead with contracts he had negotiated, and would be faced with having to implement lay-offs.
If the sheriff were to implement those negotiated new contracts, the budget shortfall would require the sheriff to reduce his workforce by 16 full-time staff members of various ranks and levels in 2016, an additional 11 full-time employees in 2017, and at least one more layoff in 2018, to be able to fit the new salaries into his budget, the letter cautioned.
In the letter, Administrator Bonanni explained that the county treasurer has determined that pay raises negotiated by the Sheriff with Morris County Policemen’s Benevolent Association, Local 151; Morris County Policemen’s Benevolent Association, PBA 151 Superior Officers Associations; Sheriff’s Investigators; and Sheriff’s Civilians would exceed the amount allocated to Sheriff’s Office in the current 2015 county budget by $528,506.
They would result in a projected $905,767 shortfall in 2016 and exceed the anticipated 2017 county budget by $1.3 million. The county factored in anticipated 2 percent budget increase for 2016 and 2017, per Gov. Christie’s 2% cap on annual spending increases.
Any layoff plan would require at least 90 days to implement, so it would be too late for the sheriff to reduce his workforce in 2015 to offset pay hikes that would exceed his current budget.
The PBA 151 contract negotiated by the sheriff would provide a 25 percent pay increase over three years. The contract negotiated with Sheriff’s Superior Officers would result in a 31 percent pay hike over three years. The contract with Sheriff’s Civilian Employees would result in a 29.4 percent pay hike over four years.
The freeholders, in the letter, said that a September 2015 suggestion by the sheriff that a “$60 million” county surplus fund be used to pay for his negotiated salary increases would not be considered. There is no $60 million fund, they explained and suggested the sheriff meet with the County Auditor to learn the purpose, amount, source and allowed uses of surplus, of fund balances.
The sheriff set up a meeting with the County Auditor to be fully briefed on the issue of surplus, but then cancelled that session and sent surrogates from his office. Administrator Bonanni, in the letter, wrote that the offer is still open to the sheriff to meet personally with the county auditor, so he fully understands the surplus issue.
The sheriff, who is the sole employer of employees in his Division of Law Enforcement, has been asked to consider these facts and to respond to the freeholder board with a proposal on how to deal with this situation. There are about 130 employees budgeted for that division.
Sheriff Edward Rochford, in a letter dated September 25 to Mr. John Bonnani, County Adminstrator he stated “I think it is most efficient to respond to your letter dated March 13, 2105 and go over point for point as to why the contract was negotiated as such with regards to the areas of concern you noted:
ARTICLE X- Sick Leave
The sick leave was negotiated in good faith as a gesture to give something substantial back to the county by way of a huge cost savings. Simultaneously, it was providing a means to help the agency during our short staff status by giving the officers an incentive to come to work every day.
This part of the package basically allowed the officers to cash in their unused sick time at the end of each year at $.33 on the dollar. This would have essentially saved the county 66% of the funds allocated to pay for the sick benefits offered by the county. We figured this number to be well over a million dollars a year agency wide if the officers indeed took advantage of it. We did not know it was illegal as we were informed it is taught in Public Administration studies in Universities and it was believed to have been implemented in other counties in the country; perhaps not New Jersey. Regardless, since it is illegal as you say, the union have removed it from the contract. The intention was to offer the county a means of savings and at the same time, find a creative motivation for the officers to come to work on every possible day to lessen overtime expenses caused by sick days.
ARTICLE XII- Hospital and Medical/ Surgical Insurance
This has since been edited to reflect the prior contract language.
ARTICLE XVI- Personal Leaves
Administrative days are planned and approved by their supervisor and can often be filled by rearranging shifts and not incurring overtime unlike when an officer calls in sick. The administrative days were increased one day in years two and three of the contract only, not in the first year of the contract. This coupled with the sick incentive was to keep our daily requirements of staff and cut overtime.
ARTICLE XXII- Uniform Allowance
$100 a year is merely covering the increase in cost to maintain the uniforms properly in order to make the uniforms last longer; ultimately saving in the long run on the uniform needs.
ARTICLE XXV- Wages
Although this has been portrayed by the media as a 20+% raise, it is more accurate to figure these contracts as essentially restoring the officers’ industry standard steps that were supposedly “temporarily frozen” in the last contract, along with a 2-3% increase. We negotiated this as a means to only partially recover from the years they not only had their steps frozen but they also had two years of 0% increases. So essentially, even at the 3% (1% above the proverbial 2% cap), the officers were still at a deficit of 3% from where they should be factoring in the 4% they gave up on those two years of zeros.
The 2% cap that is so frequently referenced as the end all cap for the agency is more accurately a county-wide budget cap. This gives the counties allowance to make judgement calls as to where the money is to go each year. The Sheriff s Office is a Constitutional Office and my role of the Sheriff (the person who was elected by the people of this county to run this agency) is to inform you what funds I need to run this agency. The idea is that we work together on this as we have the last 20 years of my tenure as Sheriff. I have cut and cut and cut to accommodate the governing body over the years. The last two years I have seen an egregiously costly trend that is 100% caused by the retention issue which I have brought to yours and the Freeholders’ attention on numerous occasions. This retention issue is costing the county over $2,000,000 a year*.
Additionally, this revolving door of new officers has gotten to a point of danger to the citizens of this county and all those who work in and visit the courthouse. Both of these concerns have seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. I will remind you of the statistics and reiterate that these are NOT to be made public as that would put everyone in utter danger as it will show the public and those who want to bring harm, the real vulnerabilities within the courthouse and the jail that the county has allowed to manifest.
Industry standard is less than 15% of new officers leave within the first 5 years on the job.
Since 2012, 39% of the new hires in the jail have left within the first two years on the job. Similarly for the new hires in the Bureau of Law Enforcement. A number of officers in the courthouse have under 18 months on the job experience. These numbers are unacceptable and are almost completely due to the grossly uncompetitive contracts, inclusive of the elimination of steps. MCSO officers are the lowest paid officers in the entire county despite their specialized skills and multi-role responsibilities.
The county was presented with this contract well before the governing body created and adopted a countywide budget so it was their responsibility to appropriate funds to cover the cost of this contract; the cost of running this agency. The county was also notified in writing that not only did they receive PBA 151 contract, but that all other contracts would be coming shortly and that they would closely mirror that of 151; allowing the Freeholders to factor in estimated increases for the subsequent contracts.
Additionally, throughout my 23 years as Sheriff, it has been a substantial past practice that each year the county representatives and the Budget Committee members of the governing body, would sit down multiple times with me and/or representatives of this agency to discuss the areas of concern, etc. to collectively come up with the necessary parameters. This was never done last year and I don’t know why. In fact, it has also been a 20 year past practice of the county to present me with a clearly defined budget that I am to review and physically sign off on as my vow to stay within the budget designated. This, too, was never done this year. So in essence, I have never signed off on an agreement to any budget, nor would I have signed off on the proposed budget that showed the county arbitrarily cutting our Salary & Wages roughly $900,000 equating to an over 9% cut despite the state mandate of nine additional posts/courtrooms to be manned. Cutting our Salary & Wages when we have been mandated to cover substantially more makes no sense. This unfunded mandate scenario is similarly reflected in the new bail reform which has required the Prosecutors Office to recently request an additional 11-15 employees. I was encouraged however, to see that the Prosecutor’s request was quickly granted and that a handful of costly studies were not ordered to be done on that office to determine if they could be run more efficiently.
I have shown you and the others who have the power to remedy this, the outrageous cost our retention issue has been causing the county over the last two years and I have presented you with a solution to remedy it all at a fraction of the cost of this annual financial drain. I have also shown the powers at be in the county the point of danger the county is currently in as a result of this retention issue. I firmly believe and will state that this county is setting the stage for a tragedy to take place if this agency is not fortified with reasonable contracts that make it possible for young officers to stay with the agency. Experience is paramount in law enforcement and can only be gained by continued years on the job. Courthouses around the country have shown an uptick in incidents hence the state mandated additional coverage. I have plead my case to you and the governing body numerous times and will continue to do so on a broader scale. The county is handcuffing me from doing my Constitutional duty and I don’t know why.
I am firmly stating that all the contracts have been negotiated in good faith and with a fiscally conservative mindset. These must be honored by the county even if you have to dip into the $60 million surplus that the county has garnered over the years to have for times and situations exactly like this. I would also like to add that in my tenure as Sheriff, I have saved the county over $16 million in tightening up the Bureau of Corrections’ efficiency and I have returned to the county treasury between $500,000 and $800,000 every year from the Bureau of Law Enforcement as a result of my cutting and efficient management of doing more with less. I have always worked with the numbers and cut whenever possible. It is no longer possible. Increase in security and law enforcement needs don’t follow a cost of living trend, they answer the need driven by society. It is the cost of keeping the county a safe place to live, work and play. You lose that characteristic of the county and you have lost a lot more than a few dollars.
As far as responding to “plans for a layoff ‘… I have no plans for a layoff. In my professional opinion with 50 years in law enforcement, this agency does not have the luxury of a single extra body. Even the Freeholders’ commissioned staffing study done by Concorde Group, albeit not holding any credibility in the opinion of those in law enforcement, had us as below acceptable levels when we only had 125 and suggested we add two more. Working together with the Freeholders, they have approved the Bureau of Law Enforcement for 131 employees and I have agreed to make that number work for this year. Your letter proposing a 10 person layoff, bringing the agency down to 121, is completely unfounded and accompanies no justification when we have a $60 million surplus.
In closing, I have signed a bona fide contract with my unions that fall within the parameters of the salary ranges set forth by the governing body for other county law enforcement agencies; namely the Prosecutor’s Office and the Park Police; still falling way below those counterparts in the Prosecutor’s Office. I am asking that you and the others who have the power to remedy this crisis, please do so and honor these contracts drawing from the $60 million surplus.
If you have further concerns and would like to engage in a dialogue, I would absolutely welcome that as well. I am looking forward to working with you and the governing body to fortify this area of the county.
*Officers from the Bureau of Corrections resigned and officers from the Bureau of Law Enforcement resigned within the first two years; basically just after their probationary training period. We are noticing a trend that more and more are resigning within the first year on the job; many within weeks of graduating the academy.
The county accepts a “reimbursement rate” for each poached officer of $25,000 per officer, although this is not the entire cost of training a new officer which has been recently calculated at $39,000 per officer.
Taking the county accepted reimbursement rate of $25,000 per officer. .. this alone equals a cost of $1,225,000. To train and then lose the talent.
49 officers x $25,000 per officer = $1,225,000 If you take actual cost of getting an officer through the academy and on the job it would be $39,000 x 49 = $1,911,000.
This is $1,225,000 alone, not even factoring in the more costly factor of overtime which is incurred during the void caused by the constant departure. Which we all agree has spiked in the last two years. (A cost we can greatly eliminate with fortified contracts)
REASONS OVERTIME IS SO HIGH…
For the Bureau of Corrections, it takes 4 to 5 months to get a candidate approved, through the academy and on the job.
For Bureau of Law Enforcement (longer academy) it takes 6 to 8 months. In both bureaus there is a possibility for even more delay since the academy runs only twice a year.
During that void those shifts have to be covered and at one and one half times the hourly rate. (Time and a half is industry standard).
Also, they often have to be covered by a seasoned officer which is at a higher rate than a new officer.”