PARSIPPANY — A menorah lighting ceremony is slated for Parsippany Town Hall on Thursday, December 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Parsippany-Troy Hills’ menorah lighting will take place at Parsippany Town Hall, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.
For questions about the ceremony, residents can call the Mayor’s Action Center at (973) 263-4262.
PARSIPPANY — A group of residents appeared at the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council meeting on Tuesday, December 7 to ask questions of Mayor James Barberio and Council members on the Project Labor Agreement (PLA) decision.
Parsippany resident Annette Terrone said, “I am one of the many residents who signed the petition against the PLA. I believe PLAs are wrong for Parsippany taxpayers. Research has shown it is not competitive, discriminatory against non-union workers, and costs seem to be higher. Hopefully, fair and open competition without a PLA will help taxpayers get the best possible product at the best possible price. A friend who is also a resident of Parsippany and could not make it here tonight is also against the PLA and asked me to bring this question to you. What created the need to limit the bidding process to union contractors? Have there been examples of non-union contractors that performed substandard work? Was that the reason to exclude them from the bidding process? And if it was, he would like to know examples. If there was no problem with non-union contractors, what is the reason to exclude them now? So I’ll just present that to you from another participant resident. Thank you for listening.”
Elaine Gavalagas, a Parsippany resident of 28 years said “I have done and will continue to do my own research on PLAs. Articles that I have read, showed studies that were done on PLAs as having higher financial final construction costs and longer project completion. This is not missed or misinformation, they are actual studies that were done. This is a learning experience for me as I seek to become more informed. I have a few questions that I would like answered. If they cannot be answered now, I would like a date as to when they can be answered. Does Parsippany expect lawsuits to be filed by non-union contractors when they are exempt from bidding on work? What impact will the PLA have on the Lake Hiawatha Library? Those are the two questions. I understand that there is a petition going around and I would just like to know what it will take for you all to listen. I’m not sure who it was, but someone on the council said that they didn’t know that the 200-plus union members at that meeting at the high school would be there. How could you not know? There were tables set up outside and there was a truck with a picture of Justin on it. Not intimidating. There’s no pride left in Parsippany if the PLA is not repealed.”
“I looked online about a website that’s called TruthAboutPlas.com and it mentions under state and local construction an article saying that the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey speaks out against PLAs. I also noticed a lot of words like reduced competition, increased costs, wasteful and discriminatory, expensive, and inflationary. And regarding the Lake Hiawatha Library, I live near there and $9 million is an awful lot of money. So I’m hoping that these things are not gonna escalate, especially with the PLA. I would like to see it be repealed because I know from a fact that I used to work at the US Army in Picatinny and I dealt with contracting and I could see some of the spending going on there. And there’s a lot of spending that sometimes goes overboard and costs overruns and stuff like that. So I’m concerned about that as a taxpayer and resident of Lake Hiawatha,” said Ray Gallup.
Parsippany resident Yvonne Fara said “I’m here because I totally disagree with the PLA ordinance for three reasons. One is because it’s not good for the town. It’s going to harm the economy of the town. It’s going to eliminate competition. And more important it is going to harm the Parsippany taxpayers. I’m a homeowner in this town. I am very disappointed because we elect you to protect the homeowners and taxpayers, and you are not doing that. Then another reason why is Parsippany the first in Morris County that approved this.”
Parsippany resident Bob Venezia said “At the last meeting, council member Justin Musella introduced a petition to repeal the PLA ordinance citing studies that have demonstrated that PLAs increase project costs by 33% and slow project timelines by six to eight weeks. The mayor’s immediate reaction was that the petition was based on misinformation. His reason is, The study by the New Jersey Department of Labor that produced these cost and time results was published in 2010 and is now outta date. However, there have been no subsequent studies by any entity contradicting the results of that study since it was published. In fact, there are more recent studies that they may or may not be aware of, which corroborate the results published by the New Jersey Department of Labor. One such study was documented on October 22, 2022, Daily Record article entitled, ‘Should New Jersey Town Steer Public Projects to the Union Labor:’ Parsippany the Latest to Take Up the Debate.’ Here’s an excerpt from that timely article, “A 2019 analysis by the Beacon Hill Institute. A Massachusetts economic researcher concluded that PLAs resulted in significantly higher costs for school construction in Ohio, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and higher final bids in New York.” A petition is a non-binding way for residents to express their opinion to the governing body on a particular issue. In this case the PLA ordinance. So any taxpayer who would like to express to their representatives that they are unwilling to pay a 30% PLA project surcharge, which translates to an extra 1.5 million or more for each 5 million projects should seriously consider signing Councilman Musella’s petition.” (Click here for information on the petition).
Hank Heller said “I think most of you know me. I come here as a friend, not as an adversary, and I’d like this leadership to be able to continue leading Parsippany for many years to come. But with that in mind, I’d like to point out some things that I think are important. I’d like to be helpful. I do not expect that any of you will tell us who it was that invited the union people to come and sit amongst us and, frankly, common force. I’m only bringing it up because I think it was a very, very bad idea and whoever it is that brought us this largest, in fact, did not do you nor any of us a favor. Okay. So I’d like to keep that in mind, for whatever comes into the future in our community. We don’t need outside people coming and, boisterously trying to steer us into making our comments into what they would like them to be. It’s just not the right thing to do. As a former banker in New York City, I’ve had strong relationships with senior construction executives in some of the very largest companies, who are in the construction field in New York and throughout the country. One who I worked with also taught at Cooper Union College. He taught construction management. And I called and asked him what he thought about this PLA situation and what he explained to me as I think it would be useful for us to think in these terms. They use PLAs and unions in, New York City, for example, in large municipalities because when you’re building a 50 or a hundred-story building, we’re talking about hundreds of millions if not billions of dollars. And you have many large participants who are putting forth that funding and they are not nearly so interested in the lowest cost but in the lowest amount of risk to themselves and to their own bottom lines. And that is why so often you’ll find large projects are going toward unions and PLAs, because it gives, and spreads out the risk, so to speak, in a municipality like Parsippany. We don’t really have very much of that, certainly not in the municipal buildings. For that reason, I think that it’s very important that you guys rethink what it is that we’re doing and how we’re doing it. I understand how it could be useful in some cases, but in this situation where we’re facing, huge increases in insurance costs for our municipal employees and worry about how we are going to fund that. And I understand that we are looking at large increases in our sewer and water taxes. I think it’s very important that you rethink what, it is that you’ve put forth and come back and help your, voters understand why what you’re putting forth is useful to us and will help to mitigate our course rather than increase our costs because that’s what we’re facing with the insurance costs and water and sewer costs besides. That’s what I really want you to think about. Please help us to understand what you’re doing is good for us, not bad for us, because most of us don’t really think that it’s useful and helpful to us.”
After the public session ended Councilman Frank Neglia read a prepared statement:
First, let me say this man next to me (Mayor Barberio) loves this town and would never do anything to hurt it. He does his research and makes decisions to help the town. He would never misuse the people’s trust and never mislead them. He certainly wouldn’t use propaganda to promote his cause. He’s one of the most transparent people I know and he’s honest. That being said I’d like to speak about the PLA and what I found in the research I did. I’m not going to use propaganda or hype to support what I’m about to say, just facts and what I found in my research as I promised various residents I would do
Please bear with me some items may be repetitious
A project labor agreement (PLA) is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement with one or more labor organizations that establishes the terms and conditions of employment for a specific construction project.
It could be a Union or Non-union agreement. Anything said to the contrary is false
PLAs are effective mechanisms for controlling construction costs, ensuring efficient completion of projects, and establishing fair wages and benefits for all workers. PLAs also help ensure worker health and safety protections while providing a unique opportunity for workforce development.
The Davis-Bacon Act covers any federal projects. The NJ Prevailing Wage Act covers any municipal buildings and school buildings. The threshold for these projects, is $2,000.00 on board of ed buildings, and $ 16,263.00 on Municipal buildings. (this can be confirmed on the NJ Dept of Labor website)
These wages are set by the State and must be paid to all workers, 229383union or non-union.
Safety regulations, using local workers, and no strike agreements, do not add costs to the job.
A PLA is a pre-hire collective bargaining agreement made that establishes the working conditions and contractual terms before a project breaks ground. All costs are included.<
PLA is intended to control costs, increase quality, and ensure that projects are completed on time.
What Positive Aspects of Project Labor Agreements?
Setting expectations in advance, there are several upsides to project labor agreements. The potential benefits are as follows:
Strikes, lockouts, and other interruptions to labor are not permitted under a PLA.
Improved efficiency results from conditions being decided in advance.
When there is a dispute, PLAs encourage conflict resolution such as arbitration and mediation.
Safer working conditions: Health and safety conditions are made a priority.
To Reiterate the benefits of a project labor agreement?
PLAs are effective mechanisms for controlling construction costs, ensuring efficient completion of projects, and establishing fair wages and benefits for all workers. PLAs also help ensure worker health and safety protections while providing a unique opportunity for workforce development.
PLAs bring order and specific responsibility to public construction projects. They are binding agreements that call for collective bargaining between labor and contractors. In addition, they define the terms and conditions applicable to all workers — union and nonunion — on public construction projects.
It’s what they deliver — an agreed-upon concerted outcome — that makes them so effective. They provide stability to larger construction projects while ensuring compliance with workplace safety and health laws, wage protection, and equal opportunity.
PLAs have existed since the 1930s because their components provide cohesion to each project, including stability and predictability, diversity, local jobs, and training and advancement.
LAs add order by clearly defining each contractor and craft worker’s responsibility. No hidden cost. They address labor issues, designate cost standards, prevent shutdowns, and are mindful of maintaining completion schedules. PLAs provide coordination and leadership to this process while acting as a mediator to prevent any disputes.
Diversity and local jobs
Nothing helps a project gain allies with public officials and the community at large like promoting the hiring of workers that are local constituents. This is true of PLA. The PLA MUST hire 20% of Local/Parsippany residents. Not those that are illegally in our country or citizens of other countries like other entities allegedly promote.
And when a project can attract women or minorities, both of whom the industry has underserved, their enthusiasm increases.
Unlike what you have been hearing from someone, PLAs can vigorously encourage hiring efforts from small businesses, minority contractors and local workers while emphasizing government-required safety training. For example, a PLA can stipulate that a worker has undergone and obtained OSHA certification. This reinforces the “safety first” attitude of the workers and reduces accidents.
Training and advancement
Most contractors want the most highly skilled, well-trained worker available. PLAs pay considerable dividends by preventing costly errors and accidents because of their emphasis on training. Union carpenters, for example, spend a minimum of four years with in-class and real-work experience before becoming a journeyman. Continued education classes after graduation keep them abreast of the newest trends, materials, and potential new skills.
Myths about PLAs
Some anti-PLA rhetoric denounces these agreements by spawning myths. They include:
PLAs apply only to union workers. False. They apply to union and nonunion workers, and they don’t mandate that workers must join a union like some are saying
Some critics claim that PLAs reduce the number of bidders on public projects, thus raising costs. So False. A 2020 study in the Public Works Management & Policy journal reviewed 263 bid openings for community college construction from 2007 to 2016. This first-ever study of its kind concluded that the presence or absence of PLAs did not alter the number of bidders on a project or increase the cost.
Some critics say PLA’s increase your Taxes. AGAIN VERY FALSE. You send out a bid spec, get the proposals from both Union and non-union entities and that’s the cost. There are no hidden costs. That’s what a bid is. Some people may be hearing differently but this is the truth
We ask ourselves why do PLA myths exist, and why certain companies object to using them. It’s simple. Because some companies want to reduce the competition, hire unskilled workers, pay under-the-table to non-skilled workers, and price gauge the customer with extras. This is a common practice of non-PLA projects. I’ve been a Facility Director and property manager for over 30 years and have seen it firsthand.
Without PLAs, Vendors can skirt hiring mandates, disregard the need for certified skills among workers, and ignore efforts to provide job opportunities or training for women and minorities.
Yet all these reasons pale against the most frequent motivation: worker exploitation, which is widespread in the construction industry and needs to stop!!.
The unethical practice of paying below-standard wages or paying workers off the books is eliminated when entities utilize a project labor agreement.
The core value that PLAs offer is transparency.
It is a public document. Anyone can review it — municipal officials, organizations, construction companies, and the general public — to assess whether the agreement is fair and makes sound business sense.
Indeed, it raises the obvious question of why anyone would not support a PLA.
This council voted 4-1 to support the mayor’s recommendation to use a PLA on Projects over 5 million.
We did so because we consider it to be the fairest, most transparent, and most productive approach to conducting business in the construction industry while benefiting taxpayers, municipalities, construction businesses, and workers. Thank you”
After Councilman Frank Neglia finished, Councilman Justin Musella then fired back.
“First and foremost, I truly do appreciate my colleagues, information, and new evidence. I am really glad that we’re having this dialogue. It’s unfortunate that this dialogue didn’t happen before we voted on this. And there’s a couple of things in there that I think is really important for the public to be aware of. There’s been this claim, and I don’t know why we keep saying it, because, in the actual ordinance, it spells it out correctly. This ordinance, the project labor agreement, does practically nothing to hire local Parsippany residents. I don’t know why we’re saying 20% of Parsippany residents will be hired. So I pulled up the ordinance that we all voted on, and I’m gonna read it into the record as I’ve done multiple times. The ordinance says it requires that 20% of the labor hours required shall be performed by the Parsippany-Troy Hills residents who are participating in the apprenticeship program. And that 100% of the apprentices shall be Parsippany-Troy Hills residents. So I did some digging to find out in actuality, how these provisions end up playing out in the real world. But how they end up playing out in the real world is that apprentices who are local residents end up getting recycled over and over again, so that way they can fulfill that hours component that’s in the ordinance. So if we’re telling people that 20% of the residents will be hired under this ordinance. The ordinance flat-out contradicts that. I understand some of the points that were made about how PLAs actually promote efficiency. Well, if you read PLAs, can somebody explain to me how work jurisdiction promotes efficiency? How does segmenting who shall do certain work, whereas, contractors who don’t have to abide by a PLA can have their employees perform all tasks at once? How are we protecting the taxpayer with minimum show-up time where if somebody shows up to a job, they have to be paid for a mandatory amount of time, regardless of not whether or not they’re productive on all of your expenses? So these are the questions and I’m glad that we’re having the dialogue and the debate I appreciate my colleague saying what he believes in, but PLAs are flat-out bad public policy. And the overwhelming body of evidence that has been conducted on this issue is crystal clear. They raise project costs, they are anti-competitive and they harm small businesses. So I appreciate my colleagues’ information but I don’t believe that’s gonna change many minds as over 800 residents disagree with that?” said Councilman Justin Musella.
Click here to download a copy of the Ordinance 2022:24.
On October 18, the Parsippany Township Council voted 4-1 to mandate blanket project labor agreements for all township capital projects over $5 million.
Click here to watch the video of the meeting.
PARSIPPANY — On Friday, December 9, The Friends of Lake Hiawatha sponsored their annual Winterfest at the gazebo on North Beverwyck Road.
Attendance and enthusiasm were high as the children waited for Santa Claus, who came in on a fire truck. Hot chocolate and cookies were served as the children (and parents) waited in line to tell Santa what they want for Christmas.
Two bicycles were raffled off and won by two very excited children.
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio, Councilman Frank Neglia, and Councilman Justin Musella joined the festivities and his attendance throughout the evening was very much appreciated by all. A very special thanks to the Lake Hiawatha Fire Department and the Parsippany Traffic Department who help keep everyone safe.
The Friends of Lake Hiawatha is a non-profit organization that began in 2011. The original intent of the organization was to decorate every lamppost in town with snowflakes and wreaths and have barrels for spring and fall flowers. With the generous donations of the majority of the store owners along Beverwyck Road, they were able to accomplish their goals.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting – December 6, 2022.
Regular Township Council Meetings will commence at 7:00 p.m. All meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings. Council meetings are held at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings.
Click here to download the agenda.
Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours before the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to request auxiliary aid.
Click here to download the 2022 agenda schedule.
Mayor and Council
Mayor James R Barberio
Council President Michael J. dePierro
Council Vice-President Loretta Gragnani
Councilman Paul Carifi Jr.
Councilman Frank Neglia
Councilman Justin Musella
PARSIPPANY — Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board Meeting – December 5, 2022.
Click here to view the agenda.
The Planning Board members are:
Mayor Barberio 12/31/2025 I Mayor
Anil Dadheech* 12/31/2024 IV Regular
Michael dePierro 12/31/2022 III Council Rep.
Tom Dinsmore 12/31/2021 IV Regular
Priya Jain 12/31/2022 Alternate No. 2
Dominic Mele* 12/31/2023 IV Regular
Gordon Meth* 12/31/2025 IV Regular
Nick Napolitano 12/31/2024 IV Regular
Ted Stanziale 12/31/2023 Alternate No. 1
Jennifer Vealey* 12/31/2022 II Muni, Rep.
John Von Achen* 12/31/2023 IV Regular
Stuart Wiser Board Planner, ARH
Andrew Cangiano Board Engineer, Keller & Kirkpatrick
Joseph Garcia Board Attorney, Cleary Giacobbe Alfieri Jacobs
Nora O. Jolie Board Secretary
MORRIS COUNTY — The power of positive thinking will be a focus of the monthly Recovery Recognition Breakfast hosted by Prevention is Key (PIK) this December. PIK is a north Jersey-based non-profit substance misuse prevention agency. The Recovery Recognition Breakfast began as a small gathering to acknowledge the work of the agency’s volunteers but has grown into something much bigger. Community members are invited to join PIK on the second Monday of each month to discover recovery resources, network with peers in or exploring recovery, and learn something new.
The December breakfast is sponsored by Absolute Awakenings and will welcome speakers Harvey Rich and Joey Himelfarb to educate guests on the power of positive thinking. The program will conclude with special guests from Creature Comforts Pet Therapy. The animals will be available for pets and cuddles following the formal speaking program.
The breakfast is scheduled to be held on December 12 at 9:30 a.m. at the Rockaway Center for Addiction Recovery Education and Success (CARES), located at 25 West Main Street.
Questions and RSVPs can be directed to Laura Jennings Pitt at (973) 949-7979 or ljennings@mcpik.org,
Prevention is Key (PIK) is a 501(c)3 organization that has delivered culturally competent, evidence-based prevention services in Morris County and the surrounding counties for almost 25 years. The agency was founded in 1989 to coordinate substance misuse prevention in Morris County. From our roots as a resource center and awareness campaigns with a modest budget to our current implementation of both direct service and environmental change strategies, including our recent addition of the Center for Addiction Recovery and Success (CARES) Peer to Peer Recovery Center, has made PIK the premiere substance misuse prevention agency in north central New Jersey. For more information, click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood announce the hiring of Alexandra L. Pecora as Assistant Prosecutor for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
Carroll officially swore in Assistant Prosecutor Pecora at the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office on December 5.
Assistant Prosecutor Pecora is assigned to the General Investigations Unit within the Courts & Administration Division.
Assistant Prosecutor Pecora most recently served as an Assistant Prosecutor for the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and a Law Clerk for the Honorable Frederic R. McDaniel in Union County. During her tenure with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, she was assigned to the Trial Team, Domestic Violence Unit, Juvenile Unit, and Appellate Unit. AP Pecora previously served as a legal intern for the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and private law practice in West Orange and as a Juvenile Justice Extern in Montgomery County, PA.
AP Pecora holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pennsylvania State University and a Juris Doctorate from Villanova University School of Law. Prosecutor Carroll said, “I welcome AP Pecora to our team. We are excited to have her join our office.”
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Meeting will hold an Agenda meeting on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.
Regular Township Council Meetings will commence at 7:00 p.m. All meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings. Council meetings are held at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings.
Click here to download the agenda.
Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours before the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to request auxiliary aid.
Click here to download the 2022 agenda schedule.
Mayor and Council
Mayor James R Barberio
Council President Michael J. dePierro
Council Vice-President Loretta Gragnani
Councilman Paul Carifi Jr.
Councilman Frank Neglia
Councilman Justin Musella
MORRIS COUNTY — Having been the first community college in New Jersey to be designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity in 2017, County College of Morris (CCM) now has gained additional confirmation of its strength in this critically important field. The National Security Agency (NSA) has reissued that designation to the college, effective through Academic Year 2027.
In its announcement to the college, the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense noted, “Your ability to meet the increasing demands of the program criteria will serve the nation well in contributing to the protection of the National Information Infrastructure. A highly skilled cybersecurity workforce is a strategic national security advantage.”
The designation is presented every five years to institutions that can demonstrate they offer a cybersecurity curriculum aligned with national standards, contribute to providing a pipeline of professionals who can assist with protecting against cyber attacks, and serve as a resource for the community in the area of information security.
“We’re delighted to have our cyber and information security programs, and initiatives recognized once again with this prestigious designation,” said Professor Colleen Bamford, chair of the Department of Information Technologies. “Along with offering strong degree and certificate programs, our department provides hands-on training opportunities for high school students through adults. Our goal is to both provide people with pathways to rewarding and well-paying careers and to assist the public with staying cyber safe.”
The department offers an Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology to prepare individuals to begin working in the field immediately or to transfer to bachelor’s level programs, along with a certificate in Information/Cyber Security. Through a share-time program with the Morris County Vocational School District, the department also enrolls junior and senior high school students from across Morris County in the Cyber Security & Information Protection Program. Students in that program earn college credits and certifications to take advantage of high-demand career opportunities in information protection.
In 2015, the department established the Center for Cyber Security to serve as a comprehensive resource for students, faculty, staff, and the community in the area of cybersecurity. It also has held GenCyber summer camps for high school students and participates in the annual national Hour of Code, where people of all ages can learn the basics of programming, along with offering other activities for the public.
To learn more about the department’s offerings, click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Advisory Committee on Women is now accepting nominations for its “Seeds of Change Award,” which will be presented next year to a woman who has worked to improve the community and who has been a leader and inspiration to other women in the county.
Nominations may be submitted through January 6, 2023. The Morris County Advisory Committee on Women is asking that all nominations be submitted online:
Morris County 2023 Seeds of Change Award Nomination Page
For additional information, please contact Pam Bennett-Santoro at jpmp010@aol.com no later than January 6, 2023. The person selected to receive the honor will be contacted after the deadline and asked to attend the Seeds of Change Award Ceremony at a meeting of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners.
The “Seeds of Change Award” was inspired by the late State Senator Leanna Brown, who passed in 2016, and her longtime friend and colleague, the late Morris County Freeholder Patricia Maynard, who died a few months later in 2017. The honor is intended to highlight and celebrate women who build up other women, including those who work at the grassroots levels in the community.
The award was first issued in April 2018 and has been bestowed only two other times since because of an interruption in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is preferred, but not required that the recipient be linked with a cause of current interest to the Advisory Committee on Women. Current areas of interest include housing and homelessness, human trafficking, incarcerated women, women in the military, female veterans, and other areas that impact women.
Ms. Brown served on the Chatham Borough Council from 1969 to 1972. She was the first woman elected to the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders (now the Board of County Commissioners), becoming the Director in 1976. In 1978, she was named president of the New Jersey Association of Counties.
In 1983, Ms. Brown was also the first Republican woman elected to the New Jersey Senate. She was a champion of women’s causes and mentor to many women who sought to join the political and electoral process. Ms. Brown also was the driving force behind the county’s creation of the Morris County Advisory Committee on Women.
Ms. Maynard served as a member of the Mendham Township Committee from 1974 to 1978 and was Deputy Mayor from 1976 to 1978. She served as a Morris County Freeholder from 1978 to 1984 and at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey from 1984 to 1996.
Ms. Maynard was passionate about public service and helped to maintain and improve the cultural and educational opportunities and the quality of life in her many roles in Morris County. Her activities included the Morris County 9 Memorial Committee, Morris County Library Foundation, and as a trustee at the Morris Museum, Ralston Cider Mill, the County College of Morris Foundation, and N.J. U.S. Olympic Committee.
Prior “Seeds of Change Award” winners include:
2018 – Lila Bernstein of Mendham Township
2019 – Phyllis Chanda of Flanders
2022 – Mary Ledyard of Rockaway Borough
MORRIS COUNTY — Kids can conquer the slopes this winter while conquering their fears in an exclusive partnership with Lakeland Hills Family YMCA, Mountain Creek Resort, Big Snow, and the Mental Health Association. Students in grades 3-8 will immerse themselves in this 3-month, 8-session experience. While learning how to shred the slopes, they will also learn lifelong social and emotional skills.
This inclusive program is called “GRIT ‘n Snow” with “GRIT” an acronym for Growing Resiliency In Time. It kicks off as children learn how to snowboard or ski with Mountain Creek pros using Burton® gear in the Ys main gymnasium before heading to the mountain to learn about the snow. Sessions begin on Thursday, December 8, for five weeks and include one hour in the gym with Mountain Creek pros learning snowboarding, then one hour in a classroom setting, focusing on one of the mental components of GRIT: Resilience, Empathy, Friendship, Communication, and Confidence. Then it’s three Saturday trips to the slopes at Mountain Creek. The last day at Mountain Creek culminates with a fun family dinner, where the participants and their families join the Mountain Creek team to celebrate the skills, both on and off the slopes, that they learned through the GRIT experience.
This innovative program is open to both Y members and non-members, and 10% of the available slots will be given to students needing financial assistance. The cost of the program includes all equipment, instruction, and transportation to Mountain Creek. With generous funding from Mountain Creek, Mental Health Association, and Peapack-Gladstone Bank, this program is being made available to as many students as possible within its limited enrollment.
Each session at Lakeland Hills Family YMCA consists of two hours, with one hour focusing on an adventure curriculum of skills-based training with the professionals from Mountain Creek, and the other one hour on facilitated activities and conversations, including role-playing, social-media posts, etc. Addressing the mental-health component of this program is just as important, if not more so, than the snowboard/ski skills each participant will learn. With one in six U.S. youth aged 6-17 reporting a mental-health disorder each year, the partnership with Mental Health Association is vital. As some of the common youth mental-health challenges are anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse, and trauma experience, a child’s usual way of thinking, feeling, and acting interferes with daily life. This is what makes this program so unique: It consistently engages youth in coping strategies, relationship building, friendships, fostering connections, etc.
Another unique aspect of this initiative with Lakeland Hills YMCA, Mountain Creek, and Mental Health Association is the inclusion of those with mental or physical abilities. One of Lakeland Hills’s young volunteers is an individual named Packey, who has autism and is a snowboard whiz. Packey will be helping students with the adventure curriculum, thus proving that individuals with disabilities or who need adaptive equipment can and should be active participants.
Lakeland Hills Family YMCAs Youth Resiliency Series began just last month in partnership with the Mental Health Association and Team De-Stig of the Morris County Chamber of Commerce. A mental-wellness initiative was highlighted with a painting party where local students painted one of the highly visible picnic tables bright yellow, the symbol of optimism and hope. There was also a ribbon-cutting ceremony of the symbolism of the yellow table – a place where children and adults may sit, gather their thoughts, find friendship, or simply have a conversation. It is a judgment-free space for individuals to come together to ask for help or offer support. The second part of the Youth Resiliency Series was Sunday, November 13, at the Youth Mental Health Superhero 5K. This date is also known as World Kindness Day. With over 120 participants running or walking on a cold and windy morning, the chilly weather did not damper the spirits of the “superheroes” wearing their Mental Health Association logoed capes or showing support for the program. The impact of the Youth Resiliency Series cannot be underestimated. The comprehensive curriculum educates both kids and parents about how to identify mental health warning signs, what steps to take for yourself or someone close to you who is suffering, how to arm yourself with effective mental-health resources, and how to build resilience in small and big ways. Data shows that adventure-based curriculums have the capacity to significantly increase a person’s sense of accomplishment, self-efficacy, self-esteem, self-confidence, self-trust, and overall personal growth. The participants in this program will be pre-and-post-tested on these target impacts.
Lastly, there will be a strong focus in this program on connection. Groups will be matched by age and will remain consistent throughout the three-month program. This encourages bonds and trust to be built within the group. Peers will depend on one another for physical, emotional, and moral support and will be encouraged to look out not only for themselves but for others as well.
Another key component of GRIT is reenergizing the connection between parent and child. Time, stress, age, and communication can all have a negative impact on a parent and child bond. When speaking to the community during the planning process of this initiative, it was noted that parents of middle school-aged kids find it difficult to find activities where they can truly connect with their children. Snowboarding and skiing are activities that invite all ages and allow both parent and child to experience learning and cheering each other on together.
Be sure to have your kids check out a snow day at Mountain Creek Resort: (1) Long Live The Snow Day – YouTube.
Need more info? Contact Lakeland Hills Family YMCA, Kim Kostrowski, at kimk@lhymca.com or call Kim at (973) 507-7034. Ready to register? Program Search (daxko.com) For more than 100 years, Lakeland Hills Family YMCA Y has been the leading community organization serving thousands of people, with its focus on Healthy Living, Youth Development, and Social Responsibility. For more information on Lakeland Hills Family YMCA, please visit their website at www.lakelandhillsymca.com or email Rosemary Linder Day at rosemaryl@lhymca.com No one serves the community as powerfully as the Y does every day.
MORRIS COUNTY — After 27 years of service in law enforcement, Sergeant Leah Atterbury has announced her retirement.
Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker honored Sgt. Atterbury for her exemplary service and expressed the gratitude of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office on her last day. Sgt. Atterbury began her law enforcement career with the New Jersey Transit Police in 1995.
She joined the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in 2004. During her tenure with the MCPO, she was assigned to the Professional Standards, General Investigations, Domestic Violence, Fraud/Insurance Fraud, and Megan’s Law units. She was promoted to Detective Supervisor in 2017 and assigned to the Juvenile and Missing Persons Unit, and later in 2021, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant supervising the Pretrial Services Unit. She also acted as the Administrator of the MCPO’s Infoshare database system, as well as the eDiscovery digital system.
Before joining the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Sgt. Atterbury was a member of the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General Division of Criminal Justice, assigned to the Organized Crime and Racketeering Bureau. While assigned to that unit, along with the FBI, she led the first FBI Human Trafficking case to be prosecuted on the East Coast of the U.S., resulting in a highly-publicized federal indictment and convictions of three individuals for trafficking over 30 women from the former Soviet Union.
She has earned honors for exemplary service, including a Meritorious Service Award and an Honor Award for the apprehension of an armed robber, a Unit Citation Award for her response to a train derailment, a Certificate of Recognition for her work on a fraud scheme, and a Commendation for her investigation which resulted in the safe recovery of a 15-year-old missing juvenile. Prosecutor Carroll said, “Leah distinguished herself in an outstanding law enforcement career and always demonstrated a high degree of skill and professionalism.
Sgt. Atterbury holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Jersey City University and a Master of Arts degree in Human Resources from Seton Hall University.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Vocational School District (MCVSD) is honored to announce this year’s Business Partnership Award to Saint Clare’s Health.
Over the last year, the relationship with Saint Clare’s Health has evolved to include numerous opportunities for full-time students, share- time students, and Continuing Adult Education.
“Strong business partnerships are vital to the school’s Career and Technical Education programs,” said Shari Castelli, MCVSD’s Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. “Saint Clare’s Health is a business partner with exceptional commitment and service to the district. In the last year, numerous departments within the hospital have been instrumental in the growth of our students and programs. We look forward to a continued working relationship.”
Saint Clare’s Health joined the MCVSD Advisory Council for Health Care Sciences, hosted clinical rotations for Exercise Science students in their cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs, as well as PT/OT departments, hosted Health Care Sciences juniors for a clinical rotation to include eight different departments, provided an internship for a student in Computer and Information Science and is currently hosting a Health Care Sciences intern.
“Saint Clare’s Health is so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Morris County Vocational School District,” said Jan Bednar, Chief Nursing Officer, MS, BSN, RN, NEA-BC. “This partnership provides students access to the real world to apply what they have learned in the classroom, thus beginning their career journey in a meaningful and impactful way. It is the first step for many of them to forge new professional relationships and become part of the community. We at Saint Clare’s Health live by our core values of serving and caring for our community members, and this partnership is one such commitment.”
Morris County Vocational School District offers a wide range of career and technical education programs that inspire and prepare students to succeed in today’s world and pursue tomorrow’s opportunities. Programs range from auto service and construction trades to healthcare sciences, performing arts, and cybersecurity. The high school offers full-time academies and share-time programs on its Denville campus. In addition, through collaboration with local school districts and the County College of Morris, it offers full-time academies and share-time programs established at off-site satellite locations. To learn more about full-time academies and share-time high school programs, click here or call (973) 627-4600 ext. 277.
Dear Editor:
I’m a tax-paying, lifelong resident of Parsippany, and I understand the concerns surrounding the cannabis industry.
But have you fully considered the facts and data that support permitting cannabis retailers?
2% of all sales go directly to the town as tax revenue which amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. This could potentially save Parsippany residents from the consistent tax increases we’re currently experiencing for years to come!
Dispensaries also encourage local job growth by hiring retail staff and contractors for ancillary services to build out the storefront.
There are already a number of towns neighboring Parsippany that are permitting dispensaries to operate, including Boonton, Dover, Morristown, Rockaway Borough, Rockaway Township, and Victory Gardens.
Safety is also a big concern, but it is often misguided. Studies find that there is no correlation between cannabis consumption and increased violent crime or homicide–in fact, it has the opposite effect; a 19% drop in crime rates.
Towns with dispensaries will also benefit from the increased safety and security measures that must meet state and municipality laws. Dispensaries must have controlled site access with multiple ID checkpoints, 24 hours, 7 days a week video surveillance, and professional security guards.
And regardless of your stance, it is important to look at trends locally and federally objectively.
In October, President Biden requested the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General to review its status as a Schedule I drug. He even took it a step further and pardoned all prior federal offenses of cannabis possession.
In New Jersey, 70% voted in favor of cannabis when it was placed on the general election ballot to legalize it on November 3, 2020.
A Rutgers study published in February 2022 indicates home sales prices increase by 1.6%, or $6,366, when a dispensary is located nearby.
Parsippany also has a number of vacant commercial properties that are near major highways, away from schools, residences, and places of worship, which would make for great locations for dispensaries.
The cannabis industry is a lucrative emerging market that will undoubtedly bring economic growth to the towns that allow retailers to operate within them. In New Jersey, it is estimated that sales revenues will reach over $2 billion by 2026.
So why hasn’t a resolution been passed to permit cannabis retailers to safely and responsibly operate in Parsippany?
P.S. I encourage you to support state-licensed cannabis retailers who want to operate in Parsippany by signing this petition.
Cassara Grasso
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, and Madison Police Chief John Miscia announce the sentencing of Nicholas Spagnoletti, 54, of Madison.
Spagnoletti was charged with one count of Endangering the Welfare of Children for the Distribution of Child Pornography, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4b(5)(a)(i), a crime of the Second Degree, and one count Endangering the Welfare of Children for the Possession of Child Pornography, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:24-4b(5)(b)(iii), a crime of the Third Degree.
It is alleged that between April 15, 2021, and August 12, 2021, the defendant utilized his personal cell phone to upload, possess, and distribute images of child pornography. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office was first alerted to the upload by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
On March 15, 2022, the defendant entered a guilty plea to one count of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child for Possession of Child Pornography before Judge Ralph E. Amirata.
Spagnoletti was subsequently sentenced by Judge Amirata to three years in the New Jersey State Prison on December 2, 2022. The defendant is also subject to Megan’s Law registration and Parole Supervision for Life upon release.
Prosecutor Carroll would like to thank Assistant Prosecutor Justin Tellone, Assistant Prosecutor Michael McDonald, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office’s Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Madison Borough Police Department, whose efforts contributed to the investigation of the matter.
MORRIS COUNTY — NJ Coalition for Education and Positive Choices and the Office of the Morris County Sheriff officially announce starting Friday, January 6 and running ten consecutive Friday nights through March 10, 2023, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
This major initiative by The NJ Coalition for Education and Positive Choices, in conjunction with Mennen Arena, will provide families, especially children, with an opportunity to have fun with their friends in a safe, chaperoned, healthy, drug-free environment.
Those partaking in the program sponsored by the Coalition will be afforded a reduction in the price of admission and skate rental. The total cost of this event will be $7.00 per person (normally $12.00) and will include admission, skate rental and a full night of ice skating to the music of The Great DJ Earl. Mennen Arena also has a snack bar which will be open all night for those who care to indulge. Snacks are not included in the price of admission.
Each Friday night will have a different theme with the hope of not only entertaining our children but creating interest in new activities, hobbies, and possible future career opportunities to which they might not have otherwise been exposed.
Examples of future highlights:
Further themes and activities will be announced shortly.
The NJ Coalition for Education and Positive Choices is a new action and result-oriented team comprised of several law enforcement agencies, educators, elected officials, scouts, organized sports, musicians, businesses, and parents working together to unite our communities in the war against drug and alcohol addiction.
MORRIS COUNTY — The 200 Club of Morris County is accepting applications for their 2023 scholarship program beginning December 1.
Scholarship eligibility is limited to high school seniors who volunteer as a first aid squad/EMS department member or who volunteer as a firefighter in a fire department in Morris County, or whose parent/guardian is actively serving in or retired from the following agencies in, or serving, Morris County:
New Jersey State Police and Federal Law Enforcement eligibility is restricted to those who live or have their primary assignment in Morris County or have retired from the New Jersey State Police or a Federal Law Enforcement agency and live or had their primary assignment in Morris County.
Children of personnel working in clerical or other non-related public safety duties are not eligible. Likewise, children of members and members of The 200 Club of Morris County are not eligible.
Application Process
Scholarships will be awarded once for the 2023-2024 academic year. Award criteria include academic performance, community service, extracurricular activities, and financial needs. The scholarship committee reviews and approves applications impartially without knowledge of a student’s identity. Announcements of the scholarship recipients will be made by mid-April 2023.
More details are available by clicking here.
The deadline for applications is 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, 2023.
PARSIPPANY — Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Company (Parsippany District 2) elected new business officers and truck officers at the meeting on December 2, 2022.
These members of the fire company have accepted these important leadership positions, and we thank them for their service to our community.
PARSIPPANY — After two years of hiatus, the India Culture Foundation, aka Parsippany Indian Association, organized their 27th Grand Holiday celebration program.
The program, held at Parsippany Hills High School auditorium, began with dinner catered by the Chand Palace of Martinsville, followed by Bollywood songs by the Mumbai orchestra group ‘Swar Sarita.’
Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio and Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Vice Chairman Dr. Bhagirath Maheta, Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President Michael dePierro, Councilman Frank Neglia, Mr. Jigar Shah, along with other dignitaries and over 500, were in attendance. The audience danced to their heart’s desire, and the singers were masterful in their art.
They sang nostalgic old songs for the senior citizens and new songs for the young generation. The Master of Ceremony made the audience laugh with his jokes and witty lines.
During the event Association Secretary Mr. Raj Amin honored a lifelong trustee of the association and a retired Indian navy officer Mr. Hari Kunderan with a plaque describing his leadership and hard work.
PARSIPPANY — The rain didn’t stop Santa from arriving in Parsippany on Saturday, December 3. Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 6 drove Santa to Parsippany Municipal Building around 5:00 p.m. during the pouring down rain as the anxious children awaited his arrival. After his arrival, Mayor James Barberio and Santa lit up the Christmas trees that decorate Town Hall.
Parsippany Hills and Parsippany High School choir sang holiday carols during the festivities.
All of the children then went into the building and had an opportunity to meet and greet Santa and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Santa’s helpers gave out candy canes, a gift, hot chocolate, and delicious cookies.
Mayor Barberio said, “Lighting the Christmas tree and inviting Santa has been a tradition in Parsippany for many years. Seeing our community come together to kick off this holiday season is one of my favorite things about being a Mayor. I hope everyone has a happy, safe, and healthy holiday season!”
Parsippany Focus is a digital news organization that provides news coverage of Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey. The organization was founded in 1989 by Frank Cahill, who currently owns and operates the organization. Parsippany Focus covers local news, events, and community issues, and their content is primarily distributed through their website and social media channels. The organization has been serving as a trusted source of news and information for the Parsippany-Troy Hills community for over 30 years.
Contact us: news@parsippanyfocus.com
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