PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio issued a Proclamation to St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church is celebrating its 85th Anniversary. Mayor Barberio said, “I hereby recognize the significant role St. Peter the Apostle Church has played in the lives of so many here in the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills on the momentous occasion of their 85th Anniversary.”
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Roxbury Police Chief Dean Adone confirmed the seizure of over $256,000 US Currency, approximately 250 Alprazolam pills, 7 pounds of marijuana, 100 LSD tabs, ½ ounce of methamphetamine, 5 grams of cocaine, 70 grams of marijuana wax, drug distribution materials, and the arrest of two individuals after an investigation by the Morris County Narcotics Task Force, Roxbury Police Department and United States Postal Inspection Service.
Nelly Solano, 59, of Kenvil, was charged with:
• Possession of LSD with Intent to Distribute, a crime of the first degree.
• Conspiracy to Distribute LSD, a crime of the Second Degree.
• Distribution of LSD, a crime of the first degree.
• Possession of LSD, a crime of the third degree.
• Possession of Methamphetamine, a crime of the third degree.
• Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute, a crime of the third degree.
• Distribution of Methamphetamine, a crime of the third degree.
• Money Laundering, a crime of the second degree.
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia, a crime of the fourth degree.
Eldridge Cruzado, 21, of Kenvil, was charged with:
• Possession of LSD with Intent to Distribute, a crime of the first degree.
• Conspiracy to Distribute LSD, a crime of the Second Degree.
• Distribution of LSD, a crime of the first degree.
• Possession of LSD, a crime of the third degree.
• Possession of Methamphetamine, a crime of the third degree.
• Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, a crime of the third degree.
• Distribution of Methamphetamine, a crime of the third degree.
• Money Laundering, a crime of the second degree.
• Possession with Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia, a crime of the fourth degree.
The seizure occurred on June 21, the same day the two defendants were charged.
Cruzado is lodged at the Morris County Correctional Facility pending a detention hearing. Solano was released on pretrial monitoring.
First Assistant Prosecutor Calderwood stated, “This investigation was the direct result of collaborative partnerships with our municipal, county, state, and federal partners. The success of our Narcotics Task Force thrives on these partnerships and the Task Force Officers provided by our Sheriff and Municipal Police Chiefs.”
Chief Adone added, “This case was a great example of teamwork between all agencies involved. I thank my detectives for their diligent, proactive police work on this case. I also want to thank the Morris County Prosecutors Office Narcotics Task Force and the United States Postal Inspection Service for their assistance. We will continue aggressively pursuing cases against individuals distributing narcotics in Roxbury.”
First Assistant Prosecutor Calderwood thanks the following agencies for their assistance and commitment to the Narcotics Task Force and this investigation: Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division, Morris County Sheriff’s Office and K9 Unit, Roxbury Police Department, Dover Police Department, Town of Boonton Police Department, US Postal Inspectors, and New Jersey State Parole Detectives.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the juveniles are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
PARSIPPANY — On June 27, 2023, at 8:09 p.m., a team consisting of Parsippany Fire Districts 4, 5, and 6, EMS Car 65, Captain Dowd, Lt. Carrozzino, Sgt. Lesiak, S.O Ruggier, Ptl. Baker, and Ptl. Christopher Yi, responded to a report of an active structure fire at 1561 Route 46 East, specifically at Elmas Turkish & Mediterranean Cuisine.
The first responders quickly arrived at the scene with lights and sirens activated. Upon arrival, they observed thick black smoke and flames emanating from the restaurant’s roof.
The fire units wasted no time and immediately commenced efforts to control the blaze by opening the roof and initiating extinguishing procedures. While the firefighting operations were ongoing, officers present had a conversation with the business owner, Syed Abdulhai.
Mr. Abdulhai informed Ptl. Christopher Yi that he had recently spoken to the landlord, Joseph Minelli, after discovering a roof leak the day before. Apparently, an unidentified company had been hired to fix the leak earlier that day around 3;00 p.m. Unfortunately, the area where the flames originated coincided with the repaired spot.
In light of the circumstances, Ptl. Cavaliere was assigned to conduct an arson investigation and was already present at the scene, alongside District 5. Additionally, the Morris County Crime Scene Investigation (C.S.I.) team was dispatched to provide further assistance with the investigation. Dispatch was responsible for notifying all relevant construction and township officials, who promptly arrived to support the ongoing investigation and facilitate the cleanup process.
Ptl. Baker and Ptl.Yi remained at the scene until all units had concluded their duties and the scene was officially handed over to Ptl. Cavaliere. There is no additional information to report at this time.
There were no injuries reported.
PARSIPPANY — Ms. Nayana Patel, 53, Little Falls, was driving a 2011 Black Ford Edge south on Baldwin Road and attempting to turn left onto Route 46 East. She traveled through the traffic signal and struck the curb. She continued striking and driving through the New Jersey Transit Bus stop. Then she traveled onto the property of Smith Field, striking and going through a metal fence that surrounds Smith Field. The vehicle went airborne, dropped approximately 10 feet onto Smith Field, struck a soccer goal net, and stopped in the middle. This incident occurred on Monday, June 26, at 1:12 p.m.
The unfortunate incident damaged various structures and areas, including the New Jersey Park and Ride, the surrounding fence of Smith Field, the turf of the soccer field, and the soccer goal net.
Officer Robert Lenahan Jr., from the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, charged Ms. Patel with Careless Driving. Subsequently, Eagle Towing was called to the scene to tow the vehicle away.
PARSIPPANY — Morris County First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Chief of Police Richard Pantina confirmed that Amit Bhatt, 43, formerly of Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, was sentenced in relation to an Aggravated Sexual Assault that occurred on October 28, 2017, in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township.
On June 23, 2023, the Honorable Ralph Amirata, J.S.C. sentenced Bhatt to 29 years in New Jersey State Prison on a first degree Aggravated Sexual Assault, with 25 years of parole ineligibility. Judge Amirata also imposed six years in New Jersey State Prison on a second degree Sexual Assault, subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA). A third degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child count merged into the Sexual Assault count. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently to each other. Upon release, Bhatt is subject to Megan’s Law notification and Parole Supervision for Life. Bhatt is also ordered to have no contact with the victim. Pursuant to the Jessica Lunsford Act, the defendant was required to receive a sentence between 25 years and life imprisonment, with a mandatory 25 years of parole ineligibility, on the first degree Aggravated Sexual Assault charge.
A jury returned a guilty verdict on the three charges on January 27, 2023 following a three-day trial. The State was represented at trial by Assistant Prosecutor Taylor Sharofsky and former-Assistant Prosecutor Vanessa Craveiro, and at sentencing by Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Reema Kareer. The charges arose from an incident that occurred on October 28, 2017 in Parsippany-Troy Hills Township, wherein the defendant performed sex acts on and touched the inner thigh of an eight year-old child. Members of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes / Child Endangerment Unit conducted an investigation into the incident after being notified of the victim’s disclosure by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office on January 11, 2022.
First Assistant Prosecutor Calderwood would like to thank and acknowledge the agencies that participated in the investigation which led to this successful outcome, including the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Police Department, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes / Child Endangerment Unit. First Assistant Prosecutor Calderwood commended the Trial Team: Former Assistant Prosecutor Vanessa Craivero, Assistant Prosecutor Taylor Sharofsky, Detective Supervisor Lydia Negron, Detective Lamar Hagans and Victim Witness Advocate Amanda Holloway for their professional and dedicated service and whose contributions secured the successful conviction and sentence in this matter.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting will be held on June 27, 2023.
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 2023 agenda schedule.
Mayor and Council
Mayor James R Barberio
Council President Loretta Gragnani
Council Vice-President Michael J. dePierro
Councilman Paul Carifi Jr.
Councilman Frank Neglia
Councilman Justin Musella
PARSIPPANY – A legal dispute erupted in the Parsippany Republican Municipal Committee appointments, adding to the chaos following the tumultuous June primary. The controversy revolves around allegations of appointments to vacant positions within the Parsippany Republican Municipal Committee.
Parsippany Republican Municipal Committee Chair Dee (Delores) dePierro and Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi were named in a lawsuit that they arranged for illegal appointments to vacant local County Committee seats ahead of the 2023 municipal reorganization meeting to obstruct the newly elected County Committee from conducting its operational tasks.
The lawsuit filed by Morris County Republican Committee (MCRC) challenges the legality of thirteen appointments by the current municipal chair, Dee dePierro, ahead of the party leadership election. Peter King, MCRC Vice Chairman, argues that Delores dePierro, Chairwoman Parsippany Republican Municipal Committee, lacked the authority to fill the vacancies independently, citing the party’s bylaws and state law.
Dee dePierro, a supporter of Mayor James Barberio, submitted the appointments to Morris County Elections, despite the Parsippany Republican Municipal Committee bylaws stipulating that the entire organization should fill vacancies through a vote. dePierro contends that she has the authority to make such appointments, citing past practices of other municipal chairs.
The lawsuit filed in Morris County Superior Court alleges that these appointments were made surreptitiously to hinder the newly elected County Committee from carrying out its responsibilities. It claims that dePierro hand-picked her allies for the vacant county committee seats after learning of the competition between school board member Susy Golderer and Mayor Barberio for the position of Chairperson of the Parsippany Republican Municipal Committee.
The legal challenge highlights that no meeting has been scheduled as required by the committee bylaws, which state that a meeting should be held seven days after the June 6 election. Despite the election results not being certified until later, dePierro made the appointments on June 15 without the necessary meeting, quorum, or vote by the county committee members. The lawsuit argues that this action violates the local county committee bylaws. Editor’s Note: Please be advised that New Jersey law now states the reorganization must be held within three Saturdays after the results are certified. In this case, the reorganization meeting should occur before or on Saturday, July 8.
The election wasn’t certified by Morris County Elections until June 19.
Parsippany comprises 39 voting districts, where Republican voters elect a male and a female candidate for each district, resulting in 78 committee members. However, only 63 positions were officially certified during the election process, leaving 15 seats vacant. Of these vacancies, thirteen were appointed by Dee dePierro and publicly announced on the Morris County Election website, which became a subject of the lawsuit. The remaining two vacant seats were intended for Ann and Nick Grossi, who had completed the necessary certification processes but declined to accept the appointment to the committee. (Click here for a roster of committee members as listed on the Morris County Elections website).
According to the complaint, the following were the illegally appointed members:
1. BettyLou DeCroce
2. Amanda McGrath
3. Jennifer Nazziola
4. Antonio Piccininni
5. Tina Piccininni
6. Annmarie Ferrara
7. David Kaplan
8. Loretta Gragnani
9. Kenneth Lambert
10. Joanne Krevis
11. Amanda Terpstra
12. Frank Neglia
13. John Beehler
Editors Note: After this article was published, it was learned that County Committee (male) for District 18 was awarded to John Beehler. The primary election had two candidates running for that position, Mr. John Beyroutey, receiving 57 votes, and John Beehler, receiving 47. Mr. Beyroutey was disqualified since he no longer lives within District 18.
In an interview with the New Jersey Globe, dePierro admitted to consulting with various individuals, including Mayor Barberio and her husband, Council Vice President Michael dePierro, and Council President Loretta Gragnani, to select appointees based on their preferences. This process bypassed the county committee bylaws and voting procedure. The selected appointment forms were notarized by Michael dePierro and accepted. The primary election was certified on June 19 by County Clerk Ann Grossi.
Grossi and her husband Nick were initially included in the process but were not posted on the County Election website, thus leaving two seats still vacant.
“MCRC Chairwoman Laurie Ali and Vice Chairman Peter King are attempting to take over Parsippany with lies, deceit, and hypocrisy. When the Former Chairman Lou Valori appointed members, it was fine. But when Chairwoman dePierro does the same thing, there’s a lawsuit. Parsippany should decide Parsippany’s business, not outsiders like Laura Ali and Peter King,” said Mayor James Barberio.
An anonymous county committee member alleged that Mayor Barberio colluded with dePierro to manipulate the situation, recognizing that he would not secure enough votes without their assistance.
In response to these developments, Candidate Susy Golderer called on Barberio to cease the illegal backfilling of Parsippany Republican Municipal Committee vacancies, criticizing the self-serving political maneuver as an embarrassment to the local party. Golderer urged unity among committee members for the betterment of the Parsippany Republican Party.
Morris County Superior Court Judge Stuart Minkowitz has been assigned to preside over the lawsuit, which will ultimately determine the validity of the Parsippany Republican Municipal Committee appointments and resolve the ongoing dispute. The hearing is scheduled for Friday, June 30, at 3:00 p.m.
After the case is resolved, Chairwoman Dee dePierro can arrange to have the committee meet and elect a new slate of officers, which according to the bylaws, must be on the first Monday following the primary election.
When this article was published, attorneys for the Defendants had not filed an answer with the Courts and weren’t available to Parsippany Focus.
PARSIPPANY — Father Joe, a beloved figure in our Parsippany community, has recently retired after dedicating decades of service. Born in Newark in 1948, he moved to Montclair after the untimely passing of his father. While renowned for his remarkable presence during mass, Father Joseph G. Buffardi’s journey extends far beyond his time at St. Christopher’s.
Father Joe showcased his athletic prowess as an outstanding baseball and basketball player during his childhood, actively participating in the CYO youth programs. During his junior year at Immaculate Conception in Montclair, he received the divine calling to become a priest. Embracing this path, Father Joe pursued his studies at the Seminary, where he graduated at the top of his class.
Father Joe served in various parishes within the Paterson Diocese following his ordination before joining the St. Christopher’s community in 1988. After a fruitful tenure until 1995, he was transferred to support churches in Dover and Paterson. However, Parsippany was fortunate to welcome Father Joe back in 2009, where he has since been a steadfast leader. As he embarks on retirement this summer, he plans to settle permanently in his Jersey Shore home.
As an avid lifelong fan of the NY Yankees, Father Joe intends to indulge in watching plenty of baseball during his retirement while also continuing to assist local parishes in the seaside area.
Father Joe shares his wisdom in parting: • His foremost career advice to young individuals: Pursue what brings you joy and make your own decisions in life. • A valuable life lesson he has learned: Persevere in what you aspire to do, never give up, and trust that everything will eventually fall into place.
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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