PARSIPPANY — This white and yellow cat, seen above, walked into the Home Depot, 780 Route 46 last week. The cat is still unclaimed.
He is not microchipped and doesn’t have a collar, but is friendly and neutered. Parsippany Animal Control and Shelter took him in, and are looking for his family.
Recognize him? Have any information? Call (973) 263-7083.
Parsippany Animal Control is located at 1069 Parsippany Boulevard.
For other available pets at Parsippany Animal Control, please click here.
Parsippany Animal Control is always looking for donations. Items most needed are bleach,
dryer sheets, Dawn dish soap, scrub sponges, paper towels, trash bags, zip lock bags, lysol spray, cat/dog toys (durable dog toys like kong & nylabone), treats, collars and leashes, frontline (dogs & cats), clay cat litter (*non-clumping), canned cat food (cats prefer pate variety), Iams dry dog food, Iams dry kitten food, Royal Canin babycat food and Iams adult cat food.
Foster homes for kittens without mothers are needed mostly during the spring and summer months. Some of these kittens need bottle feeding, while the older ones need socialization.
Volunteers are welcome year-round to help with cleaning the shelter and socializing the animals.
Please contact the animal shelter on how you can help!
HANOVER — Wegman’s is on track and looking forward to a summer 2017 opening in Hanover. Steel is up and the building is starting to be enclosed, with plumbing in the ground. Site work is well underway and portions of the parking lot are complete.
In 2013, Hanover Planning Board approved a 140,000 square-foot Wegmans supermarket along with three restaurant buildings, a bank building and parking for 1,178 cars at Sylvan Way and Ridgedale Avenue located on the northern side of Route 10 across from Ridgedale on what is was vacant wooded land.
The entrance exit would entail a jug handle on Route 10 at an extension of Ridgedale Avenue across Route 10.
The site will use water and sewer from Parsippany-Troy Hills for the property, under an agreement that dates back some 25 years, and was renewed by the Township Council in 2013.
The owner of the property is Hanover 3201, stands for the tax lot number of the site, is a subsidiary of Mack-Cali Realty LP.
The site is approximately 4.5 miles from the approved Whole Foods site on Waterview Boulevard, which is still pending regarding legal actions by Fair Share Housing Center.
Wegmans Food Markets is now hiring and training for full-time positions at its Hanover Township store. Available full-time openings range from customer service and entry-level management to culinary positions, such as line cooks. The new store will employ approximately 500 people, 450 of whom will be hired locally. Of these, there are 170 full-time positions to be filled. Hiring for part-time positions will begin at a later date.
Full-time job applicants are invited to apply online at www.wegmans.com or call 1-877-WEGMANS (934-6267) for more information. Applications will not be accepted at the store or construction site, nor will interviews be conducted there. The company plans to begin scheduling interviews at its Parsippany employment office.
Tim Lockwood, a 27-year Wegmans veteran and manager of the Hanover store will oversee the hiring process. Lockwood shared his perspective on the qualities Wegmans looks for in new employees: “We want people with a passion for incredible service and great food. Skills and experience are taken into consideration, but more importantly, we hire people who are friendly, enthusiastic, and eager to learn. In-depth training begins quickly after a new employee joins our team.”
Hanover Wegmans, a 125,000 square-foot supermarket, is part of the Mack-Cali campus at the intersection of I-287 and Route 10. The store will include The Burger Bar by Wegmans, a casual, family-friendly restaurant within the Market Café. The menu, developed by Wegmans chefs and made fresh to order, offers a mouth-watering lineup of burgers, salads, sandwiches, soups, sides, specialty milkshakes, and kids’ meals.
“Wegmans is a 100-year-old family-owned company with a reputation for putting employees first,” said Lockwood. “We offer flexible scheduling, competitive pay and benefits, and a fun place to work – all of which contribute to our #4 ranking on FORTUNE magazine’s list of 100 Best Companies to Work For.”
Wegmans currently operates seven stores in New Jersey. Once the Hanover store opens, Wegmans will have created more than 4,300 jobs in New Jersey since opening its Princeton location in 1999. That number will continue to increase with another new store slated to open in Montvale later in 2017.
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is an 89-store supermarket chain with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. The family-owned company, recognized as an industry leader and innovator, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016. Wegmans has been named one of the ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ by FORTUNE magazine for 19 consecutive years, ranking #4 in 2016.
PARSIPPANY — Central Jersey Cat Fanciers will be having its fifteenth Annual cat show at the Sheraton Parsippany, 199 Smith Road, on January 6-8, 2017.
Show hours will be 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Price for admission is $8.00 adults, $6 seniors, $6 children (4-12) and children under four are free.
An expected 200 cats will be present and competing at this show. Judging will take place in seven different rings each day.
This will be an opportunity to see many different breeds of cats including Bengals, Sphynx, Maine Coons, Siamese, Oriental Shorthairs, Ragdolls, Munchkins, Persians, Toygers, Savannahs, Siberians, and many more breeds. There is also a special category for household pets and kittens, which need not be purebreds.
Final awards will be presented in each category. People will be bringing their cats to compete from all over the country as well as several people from outside the United States. We will be having feline health presentations around noon on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to the cats and kittens, there will be many vendors selling gift items for you and your pet, scratching posts, magazines, jewelry, toys as well as unusual items.
There will also be food available at the hotel. We have invited a rescue group, Angel Paws, to attend the show. They will be bringing homeless pets for adoption.
The telephone number for information about the show is (570) 807-0406. You can also send email requests to nycsa@aol.com. You can obtain detailed directions to the Sheraton by calling (973) 515-2000.
PARSIPPANY — Morris Catholic Sophomore and Parsippany teen Alex Goebel earned a 3rd place finish at the NJ Qualifiers for the National Junior Olympics.
Alex started Fencing last year with the Morris Catholic High School Fencing Team where he earned his varsity letter. His complete US Fencing Association record is shared below and indicates the level of commitment Alex has made to the sport through tournament competition.
The NJ Division Junior Olympic Qualifier was held on November 26 and 27 and the top three qualifiers in the three Fencing weapons, Foil, Saber and Epee earned a spot at the National Junior Olympic competition in Kansas City this February 17 – 20, 2017. New Jersey happens to be a hotbed for Fencing education and competition and has produced many champions and Olympians. Alex earned a third place medal on the first day of qualifiers which makes him eligible for the Junior (U20) and Cadet (U17) events at the National Junior Olympics. More information about the event can be found at the US Fencing Association web site, by clicking here.
Alex attended the Drew University Fencing Camp in 2016 which gave him a boost in Fencing at the next level. Alex is a member of the Riverview Fencing Academy located in Pompton Lakes, click here for website. Riverview Fencing Academy owner, Drew University graduate and Fencing champion, Sean McAuliffe is coaching Alex at national tournaments like the Junior Olympics. Alex also is a member of the newly created Forte Fencing Club in Rockaway, click here for website.
Alex is hopeful to have his coach, Sean McAullife with him at the National Junior Olympic competition. Most competitors will have coaches on site in support.
Alex’s family have created a GoFundMe page to help raise money for the cost for Alex and Sean to fly to Kansas City and cover the basic expenses for the event. Click here to donate.
MORRISTOWN — The Morris County freeholder board is delaying by one hour its annual reorganization meeting to secure a visit from Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. The board unanimously voted Wednesday night to push back the start of the Jan. 6 meeting from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Freeholder Doug Cabana, one of three members on the…
MORRIS COUNTY — Incoming Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon is announcing that he has chosen Alan J. Robinson, veteran security chief for Atlantic Health System, as his new undersheriff for the Bureau of Corrections.
Alan J. Robinson
Robinson has more than thirty years of experience in the field of corporate security management, investigations, intelligence and executive protection.
For the past 28 years, he was the director of Protection and Security Services/Emergency Management for Atlantic Health System, responsible for the protection of 16,000 employees, 4,000 physicians, and untold thousands of patients and visitors at six hospitals and more than 300 satellite locations.
“Alan Robinson brings a wealth of needed experience, knowledge and professionalism to the Sheriff’s Office,’’ said Sheriff-Elect Gannon. “He is well-respected in the state as a leader in security and preparedness issues, especially in meeting those needs in a rapidly changing world. We are very fortunate to have him join our team in Morris County.’’
“We are very glad to see that the new sheriff has chosen someone of such high quality as Alan Robinson as his new undersheriff,’’ said Freeholder Doug Cabana, the county governing board’s liaison to law and public safety. “We look forward to a good working relationship with Sheriff Gannon, Undersheriff Robinson and their team.’’
At Atlantic Health, Robinson’s department was ranked 10th nationally and 1st in New Jersey for security programs that delivered outstanding business value. In 2006, he was nominated to be the first national Director of the Year by Campus Security Magazine for his security management and expertise.
In 2013, he was appointed by Govenor Chris Christie to the New Jersey Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force, the state’s cabinet-level body responsible for setting homeland security and domestic preparedness policy.
Alan Robinson is a national speaker and police academy instructor for the FBI, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office and many state, county and municipal police departments in the area of protecting children from sexual predators.
In this capacity, Robinson has received countless awards including: the 2008 FBI Director’s Award for Distinguished Community Service; a 2005 Executive Proclamation from Gov. Codey for Community Service in Protecting Children from Sexual Predators; the 2011 Morris County Detective’s Association Special Recognition Award; a 2012 state Senate Resolution for his community service to protect children and vulnerable populations; and a 2015 Honorary Chief of Police award by the Morris County Police Chiefs Association.
In addition, Robinson has served as a police self-defense instructor for the United States Marshals Service and other state and local police departments.
Robinson received his undergraduate degree in police science from Thomas Edison State College. He is certified in homeland security (level IV) in the fields of incident command and terrorism by the American College of Forensic Examiner’s Institute, and also is a certified national threat analyst by the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security.
Sheriff Gannon will officially assume the Sheriff’s role at midnight on January 1. He and Undersheriff Robinson will take their oaths of office at a special ceremony on January 6.
MORRIS COUNTY — The Daily Record is reporting that John R. Sette is stepping down as of Saturday, December 31 after 15 years of serving as the outspoken chairman of Morris County’s Republican Committee.
Sette, 69, said he told the Morris County freeholders and other leaders on the GOP committee at a political caucus of his plan before Christmas, and that longtime GOP Committee Vice Chairman Patti Page of Chatham will complete his unexpired term that runs until mid-June 2018. State Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco, who serves as counsel to the GOP committee, said that Page has happily accepted the position and rules call for the vice-chairperson to fill the position until GOP county committee members elect a successor, according to the Daily Record.
In a November 30 post on County Clerk Ann Grossi’s Facebook page, she announced as her dual role as County Clerk and Secretary to the Board of Canvassers it was her pleasure to recognize and host a reception to honor Chairman John Sette as he retires from the Board of Elections after 22 years of dedicated service to the voters of Morris County.
Ann Grossi recognizing Board of Elections Chairman John Sette as he retires from the Board of Elections after 22 years of dedicated service to the voters of Morris County. Photo from Facebook
Sette will continue serving as chairman of the county Sheriff’s CrimeStoppers program, as a board member of Daytop-NJ, a substance abuse facility in Mendham, and as a commissioner on the state’s Police Training Commission.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Sheriff Edward V. Rochford ceremonially ended his 24-year elected tenure at a Walk Out ceremony held in Morristown, where he was joined by many dozens of current and former police, elected officials, friends and colleagues who thanked him for decades of service.
The Sheriff leaving the Court House for the final time during his Walk Out ceremony
In addition to his county service, Rochford served 27 with the Morris Township Police Department, making him one of the longest serving law enforcement officers in county history.
Although he may have struck out at becoming a professional baseball star, but in Morris County he scored multiple home runs as sheriff for the past 24 years. Morris County Sheriff Edward Rochford is finishing up his final hours at the Morris County Sheriff’s Office in Morristown after completing his eighth three-year term as Morris County Sheriff.
Former Morris Township Police Chief Tim Quinn with Rochford
Previously, he was deputy chief in his hometown police department, Morris Township where he served for 27 years. During that time he received more than 50 departmental awards including being honored as “Police Officer of the Year.” Retired Morris Township Police Chief Timothy Quinn also addressed the audience and praised Rochford for all the years of service in that department.
Sheriff-elect James Gannon addresses the audience
Sheriff-elect James M. Gannon expressed words of thanks and praise to Rochford. Gannon takes office on Sunday.
Rochford was also joined by Freeholders Kathy DeFillippo, John Cesaro, Hank Lyons, Tom Mastrangelo, and Christine Myers, who presented him with a resolution from the Board of Freeholders.
After the indoor ceremony, Rochford then made an emotional walk down Court Street, shaking hands with the many officers, dignitaries and well-wishers who lined the street.
Sheriff Rochford is a graduate of the City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, the National Sheriff’s Institute of Longmont, Colorado and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Morris Program.
The Sheriff’s hat resting on the wall in Morris County Freeholders Meeting Room during the ceremony
Detective/Lieutenant Denise Thornton presenting Rochford with CALEA plaque
Sheriff Edward Rochford holding a plaque given to him from CALEA: Commission on Accreditation Law Enforcement Agencies
Morris County Sheriff James Gannon
Sheriff Elect James Gannon and Sheriff Edward Rochford
Freeholder Kathryn A. DeFillippo presents a resolution to Rochford
Former Morris Township Police Chief Tim Quinn with Rochford
Sheriff surrounded by members of his staff
Sheriff surrounded by Correction Officers
Anthony Bucco, Sheriff Rochford and Patrick Minutillo
Sheriff surrounded by members of his staff
Freeholder John Cesaro, Kathryn A. DeFillippo, Rochford and Anthony Bucco
His celebration cake
Staff members leading the Sheriff down the Court House hallway to the exit door
The Sheriff leaving the Court House for the final time
Ed’s favorite dogs. These dogs have been on the Sheriff’s Christmas cards for many years
James Gannon shakes Rochford’s hand
Former Chief of Staff Susan Hunter and Sheriff Edward Rochford
Chief Philip A. DiGavero and Rochford
Undersheriff Michael Puzio and Rochford
Rochford patting the head of one of the K9 dogs
The K9 Officers
The flag flying high at the Morris County Court House
Sheriff Rochford is the past president and executive director of the Sheriff’s Association of New Jersey. He also serves on the advisory boards of the College of St. Elizabeth’s Justice Studies Program, the County College of Morris Criminal Justice Program and the Academy for Law and Public Safety. He is a life member of the Morris County Chapter of the NAACP and also serves as the honorary chairman of the United Jewish Appeal of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest New Jersey. He is a former trustee of the Urban League of Morris County. Sheriff Rochford is a volunteer fireman and life member of the Fairchild Fire Company, Morris Township Fire Department.
Sheriff Rochford is very involved helping children with cancer and organizes fundraisers to help defray their medical expenses. He is a strong supporter of St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, the Randolph Animal Pound and the Denville Animal Shelter.
In 2013, Sheriff Rochford received the “Distinguished Citizen Award” from the Boy Scouts of America and also served as the grand marshal of the Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade. In 2013, he was also the recipient of the Egon Bittner award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Sheriff Rochford was the 2012 recipient of the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the NJ State Troopers Coalition, the 2011 recipient of the “Distinguished American” award from the Morris County Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, and the 2009 “Distinguished Leadership” award recipient from the NJ State Association of Chiefs of Police for his commitment to accreditation and the professionalism of policing in New Jersey. He was honored by the American Cancer Society, Morris County Chapter as the “Volunteer of the Year.” The Boy Scouts of America presented him with their “Good Scout” award for his fundraising and volunteer work.
During his 24 years as the Sheriff of Morris County, Sheriff Rochford has provided Morris County with specialized law enforcement services, including a crime scene unit, forensic and photo labs, K9 unit, bomb squad, warrant unit and an emergency response team. He has offered numerous community services and brought the Project Lifesaver program to all 21 Sheriff’s Offices in the state. Sheriff Rochford oversaw not only the operation of the Morris County Correctional Facility but also the construction and move into a $32 million, state-of-the-art structure in May of 2000. This six story building, considered to be one of the premier jails in the nation and has the capacity to house a total of 528 inmates.
During his leadership as sheriff, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office became the first sheriff’s office in the state of New Jersey to attain national accreditation. Further, he went on to lead the agency to earning the prestigious Triple Crown Award—being simultaneously accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies, the American Correctional Association’s Commission on Accreditation for Corrections and the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare.
After 51 years, Sheriff Rochford will retire as the first person in law enforcement to serve a half century entirely in Morris County.
Sheriff Rochford is a lifelong resident of Morris County. While he admits that he “loved every moment” of serving as sheriff, 72-year old Rochford is looking forward to doing other things he never had too much time to enjoy like attending baseball games.
“I would like to visit all the baseball stadiums,” says Rochford, who admits that he is a “die hard” Yankee fan. He plans to go to Yankee Spring Training in Tampa, Florida, in March, where the opening game is scheduled to be played, he adds. Then he plans to come up the East Coast and hit all of the baseball stadiums; then will visit the middle part of the East Coast such as Chicago; then travel to the West Coast and visit the stadiums there.
A baseball player in his youth, Rochford had been playing baseball for his high school team when he decided to try out for the New York Yankees in 1964.
As a life-long resident of Morris County, Rochford plans to stick around when he is not at baseball games.
“I think Morris County is a great place to live and work,” says Rochford. There are lots of parks, it’s a safe county, great law enforcement on the municipal level, Morristown and Morris Township have great schools, he said.
“I love it here; I’m staying here for the duration,” he concludes.
Here is the text of the Board of Freeholders resolution:
Freeholder Kathryn A. DeFillippo presents a resolution to Rochford
WHEREAS, Edward V. Rochford is retiring on December 31, 2016 after serving eight terms as Morris County Sheriff, and prior to that he was deputy chief of police in Morris Township, where he served for 27 years and received more than fifty departmental awards, including “Police Officer of the Year,” and
WHEREAS, under his leadership, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and its 310 officers provided highly technical, specialized, and exemplary services to the residents of Morris County, and worked as a great partner to local, county, state and federal local law enforcement agencies, and
WHEREAS, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office in 1998 became the first sheriff’s office in New Jersey to earn national accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, and in 2004 received the coveted “Triple Crown Award” for accreditation in Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Correctional Health Care from the National Sheriffs’ Association, and
WHEREAS, he is past president of the Sheriffs’ Association of New Jersey, served on advisory boards of the College of St. Elizabeth’s Justice Studies Program, the County College of Morris Criminal Justice Program and the Academy for Law and Public Safety, and has been involved with numerous community, civic, child, and animal welfare organizations – far too numerous to mention, and
WHEREAS, Sheriff Rochford has received the “Distinguished Citizen Award” from the Boy Scouts, “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the State Troopers Coalition, “Distinguished Leadership Award’’ from the State Association of Police Chiefs, “Volunteer of the Year” from the Cancer Society, and even served as Grand Marshal of the Morris County St. Patrick’s Day Parade;
THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED, The Morris County Board of Freeholders offers thanks to Sheriff Edward V. Rochford for his great commitment to the people of Morris County and for his commitment to excellence for his Department, and wishes him well in his retirement
PARSIPPANY — Construction is underway at the new Modera luxury apartment complex on IMS Drive.
Parsippany’s inventory of apartments will soon be growing. Mill Creek Residential, a firm with over 15,000 rental units across the country, started construction earlier this year on IMS Drive (behind the new Houlihan’s) to erect 212 luxury one and two bedroom rental units. The complex will be named Modera. Parsippany Focus visited Modera 44 in Morristown a few months after it opened on December 5, 2014. Modera 44 in Morristown and Modera in Parsippany will share many of the same amenities and will be similar in appearance.
The sign at the entrance of the complex
The northern part of the building facing Route 80. Photo taken December 2016
Construction is continuing on the new complex
Side view of the parking garage
At a Board of Adjustment meeting in 2015, several residents expressed concern that with 212 new apartments in Parsippany, the local schools may become over-crowded. At that time, Richard Murphy, a Managing Director with Mill Creek told Parsippany Focus that with 90% of the 268 total units now rented in Morristown, only one child currently attends the Morristown school district. Murphy expects few school age children at the Parsippany location as well.
The Modera 44 complex in Morristown offers Studio Apartment, One Bedroom Apartments and Two Bedroom Apartments. Monthly rents range from $1,999 for a 488-square-foot studio to $4,277 for a 1,655-square foot, two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath apartment. Utilities are separate. Apartments are unfurnished.
Parsippany Focus reached out to the management office in Morristown for an update, but as of now still didn’t receive a return call.
A number of builders have expressed an interest in Parsippany. Stanbery Development will be presenting to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board in January to develop the property located at 1515 Route 10.
Originally they were seeking to build a 50-room hotel, 90,700 square feet of retail space, 45,000 square feet of restaurant space, 61,500 square feet of office space and 242 residential units.
Sources close to Parsippany Focus told us that the 50-room hotel and the 61,500 square feet office space is not in the current plans, and the retail office space, restaurant space as well as the residential units still remain, although they plan to build more than the original 242 residential units. The property is located between Parsippany and Hanover.
Other locations will be published in Parsippany Focusas more details become available.
PARSIPPANY — The reorganization meeting for the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is set for Tuesday, January 3 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Municipal Council Chamber at Town Hall, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.
Council President Lou Valori
During the reorganization meeting they will appoint members of the council to serve as Council Liaisons to Township committees.
Also the Township Council and Mayor James Barberio can appointment residents to any vacant positions on committees.
Some of the committees include Community Resolution Dispute Committee, Economic Development Advisory Committee, Environmental Advisory Committee, Historical Preservation Committee, Knoll Country Club Advisory Committee, Library Board of Trustees, Municipal Alliance Committee, Open Space, Planning Board, Recreation Advisory Committee, Storm Water Management, Traffic Advisory Committee or Zoning Board of Adjustment. To apply for a position on a committee, click here.
