LAKE HIAWATHA — R. Deckenback Drive was unveiled today at the Rockaway Neck Volunteer First Aid Squad.

Robert (Bob) Deckenback had been the backbone of Rockaway Neck for many years. He dedicated about 2/3 of his life to the organization and made a lasting impression in both the squad and EMS as a whole throughout New Jersey. His work and dedication to the squad and the New Jersey State First Aid Council goes without words. They say that the volunteer is a dying breed, but you would not know this if you knew Bob.

It was 50 years ago that Bob joined the Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad, and as you can imagine, he has seen many changes in his career as a volunteer in the Township of Parsippany Troy-Hills. Bob served his squad in many capacities over the years. He was Secretary for one term, Treasurer for two terms, Vice President for four terms, President for nine terms, Senior Lieutenant for six terms, and Captain for eleven terms. This totals 33 years of holding some sort of office on our Executive board. He was always there when needed and never minded stepping up to help out. As time went on Bob was named to the Board of Trustees and participated with the Trustees until the very end. Under his guidance many Rockaway Neck members grew up and have been able to take on these offices, but always knew that Bob was just a phone call away if any assistance was needed. His service and dedication to the squad and the residents of the Township of Parsippany is unparalleled.

In addition to the Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad he was also a leader within the Sixth District of the New Jersey State First Aid Council and has served as Vice Chairman for five terms, Chairman for eight terms, and Vice President of the Council on a state level for twelve terms for a total of 25 years of holding office.

We all remember him and some of us who have been around for a long time remember him putting up with “those damn kids!”, but without his guidance we know we would not have turned into the responsible and dedicated people we are today. Bob you have done a great job and will be missed by many. A large void has been left since Bob’s passing and he is deeply missed, said Lieutenant Lucy Ellicott

“On behalf of the entire membership of the Rockaway Neck First Aid Squad, we would like to thank Sandy and the entire Deckenback family for sharing Bob with us over the years. We share in the pain of your loss. Know that he will be in our hearts and memories for years to come. You have severed your squad proudly and with great dedication. May you rest in peace my friend, she said.“

Lieutenants Lucy Sadowski-Ellicott and Shaun Wellman worked on making this dedication a reality.

PARSIPPANY — At the October 20 Par-Troy Township Council meeting, local resident Julia Peterson questioned members of the Governing Body, Mayor Barberio and Township Attorney John Inglesino, on the status of approximately 130 acres of land the Township was to acquire from a local developer as part of a global lawsuit settlement.

In 2013 the Township Council authorized Mayor Barberio to settle a long standing lawsuit brought on by real estate developer Ed Mosberg.  The settlement in part permitted Mosberg to build 52 Townhomes along Smith Road.  In exchange, Mosberg was to deed over approximately 130 acres of land including the historic Forge Pond area and the surrounding woodlands.

Responding to Mrs. Peterson’s question, Inglesino declared the issue ‘moot’ as the time for accepting ownership of the land had expired and the Township no longer had a claim for the property.  Development of the of 52 Townhouse complex is nearly complete.  Inglesino went on to explain that had the Township accepted the 130 acres, there was a possibility that Parsippany would be responsible for cleanup of possible contaminants in and around the former pond.  The original property was an Iron Forge several hundred years ago and after Route 80 was built to the North of the property 40 years ago, stormwater run-off drained into the pond before eventually making its way downstream and into Troy Meadows.

Inglesino acknowledged that no testing had been done since the lawsuit was settled in 2013.

Mike dePierro, a Councilman who agreed to the original settlement, responded to Inglesino’s explanation, “John along those lines though I’ve accepted your explanation for several years now on this and I’m beginning to not want to accept it anymore .  I’m prone right now to say why don’t we spend the money, do an environmental impact and see exactly what it is we think may or may not be there, because we don’t know.  I’d rather spend the money and take the 130 acres he owes us than sit here and speculate what may or may not be there.”

Parsippany Focus confirmed that Mosberg had granted the Township several extensions over the past two years to accept the property but the last extension had lapsed and with it any claim the Township had to the property.

Speaking directly to Inglesino at the Council meeting, former Councilman Jonathan Nelson, who also voted for the settlement, said, “I feel like a jerk that I sold this settlement to the public.  The Council never would have settled had we known the Mayor would not accept the land.”

Inglesino admitted that while he could never say that the land would never be developed, he expressed doubt that the land would be built on “in the very near future.”

Councilman Louis Valori told Parsippany Focus after the meeting, “I thought the town was in the process of acquiring this land for open space. This track of land was a bonus for the town to prevent over-development, which puts a strain on the Township. This issue has to be discussed in great detail at the next council meeting.”

“The Waterview tract has been getting all the headlines for the past two years but the area around Forge Pond is over five times the size of Waterview,” Jonathan Nelson told Parsippany Focus after the Council meeting. “I can’t even say I’m surprised anymore.  After nearly six years in office, what can Mayor Barberio point to as a single accomplishment in preserving open space like he promised?  130 acres of beautiful land fell right into his lap, and he blew it. When a new housing development is built on that property I hope they name it ‘Barberio Estates,’ because that will be his lasting legacy.”

PARSIPPANY — With the general election just a few weeks away, The Puddingstone Community is hosting a “Meet the Candidates Night” on Tuesday, October 27 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

There are six candidates running for three open positions on Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council. The candidates will be discussing their qualifications and platforms as well as taking questions from the audience.

The democratic ticket is Janice McCarthy, Nick Kumburis and Greg Elbin. On the Republican ticket is Council President Paul Carifi, Jr., Councilman Michael J. dePierro and new comer Loretta Gragnani.

The Puddingstone Community Club is located at 24 High Ridge Road.

For additional information and RSVP please contact: Phil Eden at (862) 251-0281 or email by clicking here or Tom Williams at (973) 540-9691 or by emailing by clicking here.

Remember to vote on Tuesday, November 3. Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. If you are not sure where to vote, you can click here, or you can call Morris County Board of Elections at (973) 285-8350.

Parsippany Focus will be publishing live updates of the results on Election night, starting at 8:00 p.m.

Where to vote in Parsippany: