Parsippany Introduces 2022 Budget: Average Homeowner Increases $478.00

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Introduces 2022 Budget: Average Homeowner Increases $478.00

PARSIPPANY — The Mayor presented the 2022 Township Budget at Tuesday, July 19 town council meeting, which includes a 3.3% tax increase. The introduction of the budget was approved unanimously.

Councilman Justin Musella, Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr., Council President Michael dePierro, Council Vice President Loretta Gragnani, Councilman Frank Neglia and Mayor James Barberio

“When I looked through this budget, it was disheartening,” Barberio said. “We have a financial crisis. Our budget challenges won’t be solved in one year.”

Councilman Paul Carifi said that he is “100% in support” of the mayor and the budget.  “This year is like no other,” he said.

The town’s previous mayor, Michael Soriano, had “destroyed all finances” within “four short years,” Barberio said.

In four years, “the prior mayor certainly mismanaged the town,” Councilman Frank Neglia said. “God help us if it was any longer.”

In this budget, Barberio hopes to increase the police force, saying that Soriano “let the police department become depleted.” The police department is down to 81 deployable officers. We should be at 103 to 109 deployable officers. I would like to increase it to 96 or 97 by the end of 2022.

Council Vice-President Loretta Gragnani said that “severe cuts were made” and that Barberio “worked tirelessly to get the budget down.” Gragani and Neglia were on the Township’s Finance Committee.

“No one likes this tax increase,” Grangani said. “But this has to be done to put us in a better position next year.”

This year’s budget “only puts out the fire,” dePierro said. “It doesn’t solve the problem.”

“One of the things that has affected our town in the past was COVID; we all know that,” Carifi said. “With the past administration, spending continued at the same rate that it had always been, but our ratables and our revenue were way down. Way down. You have to dip into your savings and surplus. And that’s what was going on in the previous administration, and our surplus just kept going and going. Now it’s gone.”

The municipal portion of the taxes will increase the average residential assessment ($312,397.00) $312.40 per year or $26.03 per month.

The average residential assessment ($312,397.00) tax increase will be $478.00, or just under $40.00 per day, which includes municipal, school, county, open space, library and fire taxes.

The total 2022 budget is $241,553,717.41 as compared to the 2021 budget of $230,055,504.21. The 2022 budget includes an increase in school taxes of $2,643,143.11. (2021 School Tax was $146,841,284.00 and 2022 School Tax is $149,484,427.11).

In 2021, the School Tax portion of the bill was approximately 64% of the total tax. Municipal portion was 22.11%; Library was 1.28%; Municipal Open Space .63%; Fire Districts 2.11%; County 9.80% and County Open Space was .24%.

 

Click here to download the user friendly budget.
Click here to download the full budget

 

New Construction Means More Affordable Housing; Where to apply

Frank L. Cahill
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New Construction Means More Affordable Housing; Where to apply

PARSIPPANY — With the new construction of Multi-Family homes, a number of units have been set aside for affordable housing.

If you have any questions about Affordable Housing in Parsippany please contact: Dan Levin, PP, AICP, Senior Planner at dlevin@cgph.net> or call (609) 642-4857. AICP is located at 1249 South River Road, Suite 301, Cranbury, NJ 08512-3716.

The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills does not manage or determine the availability/eligibility for the use of affordable housing in Parsippany.

In April 2019, the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills executed a settlement agreement with Fair Share Housing Center, to resolve litigation regarding Parsippany’s prior and third round fair share affordable housing obligations. The agreement was accepted by the courts at a fairness hearing on June 21, 2019, sets forth the extent of the Township’s obligations.

The settlement agreement identifies the following fair share obligations for the Township for the period from 1987 through July 1, 2025.

  • Present Need (Rehabilitation Share) 190 Units
  • Prior Round (1987-1999) Obligation: 664 Units
  • Third Round (1999-2025) Obligation: 1,314 Units

In recognizing a lack of developable land to address the full new construction obligation of the third round, the settlement agreement concluded that the Township has enough developable land for a Realistic Development Potential of 857 units, which was later revised to 845 units, leaving a balance of 469 units as unmet need.

According to the 2019 Parsippany-Troy Hills Master Plan and Settlement Agreement  some of the proposed developments incorporate seven specific sites for Multi-family or mixed use developments:

Location Total Units Proposed Affordable Housing Units
2 Campus and 3 Campus Drive 410 82
808 Route 46* 313 63
750 Edwards Road 114 23
887 Edwards Road 24 5
169 Johnson Road 91 19
100 Cherry Hill Road 325 65
1515 Route 10 441 67

In June 2022, Westmont Plaza (808 Route 46) was approved to divide the KMart building into three stores, thus scrapping the plans for multifamily development. (Click here to read related article).

Dunn to Legislate Timely Budget Resolution Publication

Frank L. Cahill
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Dunn to Legislate Timely Budget Resolution Publication

MORRIS COUNTY — Three weeks after the enactment of the FY2023 budget, requests for changes to the appropriations bill made by lawmakers and the executive branch have still not been made public. Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, a member of the Assembly budget committee, proposes to put an end to the lack of transparency by drafting legislation requiring budget resolutions be made public by June 1 of each year.

“Good governance is a shared experience and the complete lack of transparency in this year’s budget process should outrage every resident. It rightfully erodes the public’s trust in our system of government. The people of New Jersey deserve honest and open public servants,” Dunn (R-Morris) said. “Taxpayers should know where their money is going, how it is being spent and who requested the funding.”

According to the rules, all proposed changes to the budget, as well as the author of each change, must be published at least 14 days prior to the final consideration of the appropriations bill. The Democrat majority has interpreted the language differently, arguing that budget resolutions must only be filed with budget committees in that time frame.

“Timely disclosure of budget documents is intended to allow for ample examination and instill public confidence in the process. Unfortunately, legislative leaders have failed to follow the rules, so it is time we spell them out clearly in law,” Dunn said.

Under Dunn’s bill, additions to the budget would be published on the legislature’s website by June 1 of each year – well ahead of the June 30 deadline to pass the annual appropriations act.

Between Gov. Phil Murphy’s proposed budget delivered in March and the final $50.6 billion plan presented just moments before the respective budget committees approved it June 25, it grew nearly $2 billion for political interests. The add-ons, known as Christmas tree items in Trenton, fund pet projects in individual legislators’ districts.

“There shouldn’t be secrecy when it comes to such generous gifts. This isn’t Santa’s workshop, it’s the Statehouse,” Dunn added. “As I said from the Assembly floor, transparency brings accountability, accountability brings trust in our government.”

Popular Restaurateur Recognized for Dedication and Support During COVID

Patrick Minutillo
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Popular Restaurateur Recognized for Dedication and Support During COVID

PARSIPPANY — On Thursday, July 21 Chef Matthew Pierone, Head Chef and Proprietor, of Parsippany’s Gourmet Café received a Recognition Award from the Italian American Police Society of New Jersey (IAPSNJ) in recognition of his generosity, dedication, and support to the organizations Healthcare Heroes & 1st Responders COVID support campaign.

The organizations President, William Schievella, along with Parsippany Mayor James Barberio, presented the prestigious award to Chef Matt, as he is commonly known, at his restaurant during a brief ceremony. Also in attendance was the organizations 1st Vice President, Sebbie D’Amato, along with Morris County Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo and IAPSNJ Lifetime Executive Board Member, and Patrick Minutillo.

The Italian American Police Society of New Jersey (IAPSNJ) is a fraternal, professional, and charitable organization, comprised of more that four thousand, local county, state and federal law enforcement officers from throughout New Jersey.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting – July 19, 2022

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting – July 19, 2022

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council Meeting – July 19, 2022.

Click here to download the agenda.

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

Zoning Board of Adjustment Meetings 07-20-2022

Frank L. Cahill
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Zoning Board of Adjustment Meetings 07-20-2022

PARSIPPANY — Zoning Board of Adjustment Meetings 07-20-2022.

Click here to download agenda for Special Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

AGENDA
Application 22:02, Irfan Hassan, 188 Edwards Road, Block 698 Lot: 31 Zone: R-3 ‘C’ Variance to construct a new two-story, single-family dwelling with attached garage contrary to Sec. 430-35 Col. 3 and Sec. 430-275.X.- APPROVED

Application 22:36, Ricardo Chau, 5 Old Chester Road, Block: 492 Lot: 14 Zone: R-3 ‘C’ Variance to construct a one-story addition and patio contrary to Sec. 430-35 Col. 13. – APPROVED

Click here to download agenda for Regular Meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Application 22.21, Alex Martinez, 90 St. Johns Avenue, Block: 79 Z Lot: 4 Zone: R-3 ‘C’ Variance to construct a front open deck/porch, no stairs contrary to Sec 430-35 Col. 4 (St. Peters Road & St. Johns Avenue). – RESCHEDULED

Application 22:23, Krishna Rana, 9 Ronald Road, Block: 590 Lot: 11 Zone: R-4 ‘C’ Variance to install a patio contrary to Sec. 430-35 Cols. 8 & 13. – APPROVED

Application 22:29, Joseph & Debra Dembek, 16 Farrand Drive, Block: 708 Lot: 19 Zone R-3 ‘C’ Variance to construct a one-story addition with wet bar; two concrete 18 sq. ft. stoops and one 24 sq. ft. concrete stoop. – APPROVED

Application 22:28; Joseph Puso, 2 Lake Place; Block: 441 Lot: 20 Zone: R-3 ‘C’ Variance to construct an open deck with stairs contrary to Sec. 430-35 Cols. 8 & 13 and Sec. 430-10. I. – APPROVED

Application 21.63, Chick-fil-A, 1180 Route 46, Block: 715 Lot: 11.1 Zone: B-2 Preliminary and Final Site Plan ‘C’/‘D’ Variance for a restaurant with drive through lanes. – Will resume on August 3, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Zoning Board of Adjustment
2022 Members and Term Dates

  • Robert Iracane    Chairman    12/31/22
  • Dave Kaplan    Vice-Chair       12/31/23
  • Bernard Berkowitz    Member      12/31/24
  • Scot Joskowitz    Member        12/31/25
  • Nancy Snyder    Member        12/31/23
  • Sridath Reddy    Member        12/31/22
  • Davey Willans    Member        12/31/24
  • Casey Parikh    Alt. No. 1        12/31/23
  • Chris Mazzarella    Alt. No. 2        12/31/23
  • John Chadwick, Planner, John T. Chadwick IV P.P.
  • Chas Holloway, Engineer, Keller & Kirkpatrick
  • Peter King, Attorney, King Moench Hirniak & Collins, LLP
  • Nora O. Jolie, Board Secretary

 

Parsippany Summer Concerts Are Back!

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Summer Concerts Are Back!

PARSIPPANY — With a generous donation from Provident Bank, the Summer Concert Series return to Parsippany. (Click here to read related article.)

The first concert will be on Thursday, July 28 a t 7:30 p.m. featuring Street Hassle.

The second concert is schedule for  Thursday, August 25 featuring Parsippany’s own Overboard Band.

Both concerts will be held at Veterans Memorial Park, 1839 Route 46.

Please note pets are not permitted in the park.

Provident Bank donated $5,000 to sponsor the Parsippany Summer Concert Series. They will be represented with a stage banner at all the summer concerts and given the opportunity to market and promote any of their products or services to all attendees.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor Jamie Barberio was present when Ylka Padilla, Vice President, Market Manager Provident Bank and Marshall Covert, Banking Center Manager, presented the check to the Township.

Provident Bank is located at 401 Smith Road.

Steve Hantis started Street Hassle in the early 80s.  The band was originally a four piece with roots embedded in 60’s rock and Detroit & Memphis soul. The band began on the bar circuit and evolved through the college, club and theater scene. Since then, the band has continued to develop and refine its powerful, organic sound expanding to include a top notch horn section and two world class female vocalists. The band’s reputation has continued to grow as it has branched out into opening for national acts, headlining major outdoor events, weddings, private parties and corporate functions.

Street Hassle. File Photo
The band Street Hassle will perform during Parsippany’s Summer Concert Series

 

Overboard. File photo

OVERBOARD plays anything from classic party songs to alternative to oldies and adds their own interpretation (nothing is off limits) to every song.

Flipper, the kilt wearing front man, lead vocalist, and guitarist has more energy than anyone in the room and makes sure that everyone is exhausted when the show is over.

At first glance “The Admiral”, on bass and vocals, seems innocent enough, although on stage the opposite is true. His swaying “instrument” lulls the audience into a false sense of security and that is when he lowers the boom.

Larry (lead guitar/vocals) He got his nickname “LSD”, because he is such a trip on and off his guitar!

Bobby Gizzi (keyboards/sax/vocals) is the virtuoso of the band. There is nothing he can’t play and whenever he touches the keys and sax, the stage lights up!

Mike DeAngelo (drums/vocals) adds a solid beat so you all can dance and if you listen to him closely you’ll catch bit of comic relief in between his backing vocals.

 

Woman’s Club Held Successful Tricky Tray

Frank L. Cahill
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Woman’s Club Held Successful Tricky Tray

PARSIPPANY — Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills recently held its “Annual Tricky Tray for Education” fundraiser at the Parsippany PAL.  With a sold out crowd of over 300 attendees,  and over 160 baskets, the evening was full of excitement and fun.

A 43 inch Samsung Smart TV was donated by Mayor James Barberio and Council President Michael dePierro, Vice President Loretta Gragnani, and Councilmen Paul Carifi, Jr., Frank Neglia and Justin Musella
The winner poses with Frank Neglia, James Barberio, Michael dePierro and Loretta Gragnani

Organized in 1954, the Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills (WCPTH) is an active member of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs (NJSFWC) the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service.

NJSFWC is a member of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service.

Over the years, WCPTH has been honored at the District, State and National levels for our Club activities. WCPTH has demonstrated its commitment to the community through an impressively wide range of community service endeavors.

The Club has served the township and the state with initiatives to support education, home life, conservation and more. They are very proud to have been instrumental in the founding of the Parsippany Library and the Parsippany Child Day Care Center.

WCPTH supports the Parsippany Food Pantry, American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, Jersey Battered Women’s Service and Child Abuse Prevention – NJ. They also support Boatsie’s Boxes for the military serving overseas, UNICEF, Heifer International and other worthy, charitable causes.

The Annual Tricky Tray for Education funds the Club’s many educational opportunities for area students including a spelling bee, reading awards for 5th graders, citizenship awards for middle school students and scholarships for graduating high school seniors.

In addition, the Club will make a significant monetary donation to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs’ Success for Survivors Scholarship which assists those impacted by intimate partner violence to pursue higher education.

The Club also has an active social side. They have fun helping others while making new friends. With Bunco nights, a Book Club, holiday parties, crafting sessions and more, Club members keep busy.

Please consider joining this dynamic group of women! For Club and membership information call Janice C. at (973) 713-6114 or Ginny S. at (973) 887-0336, e-mail the Club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com, or visit www.parsippanywomansclub.org, or follow on Facebook.

Rutgers Takes Stage, As Bats Take To The Air, At Troy Meadows Preserve

Frank L. Cahill
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Rutgers Takes Stage, As Bats Take To The Air, At Troy Meadows Preserve

PARSIPPANY — A muggy and buggy night did not deter visitors to Troy Meadows Nature Preserve, as experts from Rutgers’ Wildlife Conservation and Management Program dazzled once again at their recent Bat Walk, giving guests entertaining insight into the night life of Parsippany’s bats!

Fifty attendees from Par-Troy and the surrounding area joined the outdoor presentation, organized by the Parsippany Bat Protection Project (PBPP), as egrets and herons flew overhead. Children were quizzed on bat facts and trivia by researchers Evan Drake, Erin McHale, and Morgan Mark, who charmed listeners with their obvious love of bats and their work at Rutgers. “I study their poop,” admitted McHale, eliciting laughter from the audience. Her work on resident bats’ diets may seem surprising, but it is important to understand the way bats survive in the wild and how that changes over time. McHale is currently investigating whether the invasive spotted lanternfly is on the menu for any of New Jersey’s bats. Evan Drake uses spatial information to identify current and future bat habitat, and how North America’s native chiroptera, or bats, use forested landscapes.

Rutgers bat experts (L to R) Morgan Mark, Erin McHale, and Evan Drake present bat facts and educational displays to the audience. Photo credit: Parsippany Bat Protection Project

The educators shared not just their enthusiasm for bats but respect for nature in all its forms. Returning from the walk under the night sky McHale pointed to an egg-laden spider on the trail, urging children to study but not disturb. “She’s just out looking for her dinner,” mused Erin, “she’s probably tired and hungry like we all are, so we don’t want to disturb her — she’s had a long day.”

Alex Matarazzo of Montville, 4, wore a Halloween-themed shirt for the occasion. He enjoyed the bat-themed crafts and activities – including some coloring pages and games with small prizes – as he waited for the presentation to begin. Even the youngest visitors seemed captivated by the humorous, interactive lecture – – and came away with a greater understanding of our native bats. Alex, for one, learned that baby bats are called “pups” and now refers to bats as “sky puppies.” He also enjoyed practicing his own batlike shrieks during a demonstration on echolocation, using a Rubbermaid storage lid as a larger and more human-appropriate target.

The Parsippany Bat Protection Project, an initiative of the Parsippany Green Team, strives to educate residents on the ecological significance of bats and the importance of preserving and enhancing their environment in the wake of habitat loss and the devastating white nose syndrome fungus that has plagued bat populations in recent years. To that end, the PBPP has sponsored projects to install maternal bat boxes and native trees in several Parsippany parks, and last October held the first of its kind Bat-apalooza and Green Fair at the Parsippany Main Library. These events were also supported by the work of Wildlife Preserves Inc., the Parsippany Environmental Advisory Committee, and Morris County 4-H.

The PBPP has planned another Bat Night at Troy Meadows on Saturday, August 6 (rain date Friday, August 12) To request tickets click here.

Nighttime programs at Troy Meadows are limited to scheduled events, but the property is open to the public from dawn to dusk and is known as a haven for migratory birds. For entry points and guidelines (no motorized vehicles or dogs off-leash) click here.

For more facts about New Jersey’s bats and the Rutgers Wildlife Conservation Management Program click here.

To learn more about the Parsippany Bat Protection Project click here.

As dusk approaches, Rutgers researcher Evan Drake conducts an interactive “echolocation” demonstration with the audience. Photo credit: Parsippany Bat Protection Project

Another Taco Bell Coming to Parsippany

Frank L. Cahill
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Another Taco Bell Coming to Parsippany

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board approved unanimously Application No 22.504 to replace the former The Inn Crowd with a Taco Bell.

The property is located at 285 Route 46 East. It is also known as Block 767, Lot 3.01.

The Taco Bell was approved to construct a 2,500 square feet building, with 50 indoor seats, 10 outdoor seats, 36 parking spots and a drive thru. Entrances will be from Route 46 East as well as Edwards Road.

Walter E. Williamson

The building was constructed in 1967 and eventually became the “The Inn Crowd.”

Walter Williamson purchased The Inn Crowd in 1972, which he ran throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away on April 22, 2020 at age 92.

According to officials from Taco Bell, construction is expected to begin in late fall.

There is another Taco Bell at 1560 Route 46 West, approximately three miles west.

The law firm Inglesino, Webster, Wyciskala & Taylor represented Taco Bell at the hearing.

The Inn Crowd
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