PARSIPPANY — Mount Tabor’s 5th Grade class will be holding a Car Wash at the Morris Plains VFW, located at 45 Tabor Road in Morris Plains on Saturday, April 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
For just $5.00, you can get your ride squeaky clean for the weekend, while donating to a great cause.
PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its regularly scheduled council meeting Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will be held via a web conferencing program named WebEx. This program will allow the public to listen in to the meeting and to participate during the public portion session only. This program uses a “raise hand” button in the software to address those who wish to speak during the public portion.
Please be advised that in order for a member of the public to speak during the public portion, they will need to provide their first name, last name, email address, address and city accurately. Anyone not using their real name and address will not be allowed to speak during the public portion.
Step-by-Step Guides
Resolutions and Ordinances Are Below:
PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on Wednesday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting will be held via a web conferencing program named WebEx. This program will allow the public to listen in to the meeting and to participate during the public portion session only. This program uses a “raise hand” button in the software to address those who wish to speak during the public portion.
Please be advised that in order for a member of the public to speak during the public portion, they will need to provide their first name, last name, email address, address and city accurately. Anyone not using their real name and address will not be allowed to speak during the public portion.
Step-by-Step Guides
For more information, please call (973) 263-4286 or email njolie@parsippany.net.
PARSIPPANY — Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting for April 7, 2021
Click here to download the agenda
PARSIPPANY — Curious about what’s been happening at Veteran’s Park? The township has been installing a brand-new culvert and bridge with upgraded storm flow relief. The nearly two-year-long project is now nearing completion, and the park will re-open to the public in the coming weeks. Parsippany Engineering Inspector Kevin Donaldson takes us through a few of the improvements being finalized at our treasured recreation area.
PARSIPPANY — Arbor Day is swiftly arriving on April 30. Local Parsippany Restaurants can help celebrate Arbor Day with a seedling giveaway to their customers.
Parsippany prides itself on being a Tree City destination. This Arbor Day, Mayor Michael Soriano invites restaurants to take part in the town’s love of trees by sharing seedlings with takeout and delivery customers.
Any restaurant that would like to participate in a free seedling giveaway for Arbor Day, should contact the Mayor’s Action Center at (973) 263-4262. Requests must be made by April 18.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany welcomes The Capital Grille’s newest restaurant in New Jersey right here in Parsippany, located at 10 Dryden Way. This location adds to the over 60 Capital Grille restaurants across the country, featuring stylish ambiance, six private dining rooms, an extensive bar, and wine selection, and world-class cuisine.
Parsippany’s location is the third Capital Grille in New Jersey, which was delayed in opening for nearly a year due to the pandemic.
“We’re still at 50% capacity, and everyone has to be six feet apart in the dining room, guests and team members alike,” said Chapman. “Hosts take temperatures at the door of all team members and guests. Our staff wears masks at all times, so we are very safe here.”
As conditions slowly return to normalcy, Capital Grille sees the importance of providing high-quality dining for Parsippany residents and businesses for years to come.
“There’s definitely a need for a fine dining restaurant in this area,” said Chapman. “We have six private dining rooms, so we’re set up to do a lot of social events, corporate events, and we’re very excited to be here.”
The Capital Grille is located at 10 Dryden Way, Parsippany.
To make a reservation or for more information call (973) 889-8622, or click here.
DENVILLE — No one was injured after an air handler caught fire on the roof due to a mechanical failure at Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital Monday afternoon.
Several patients in the emergency room were transported to St. Clare’s Dover Campus and other patients within the building were moved to other unaffected areas of the hospital.
Once the fire was doused, the heavy smoke spread through a portion of the building and led to patients’ evacuation.
Fire Departments from Denville, Parsippany, Boonton, Randolph, Rockaway Borough, Rockaway Township, Morristown, Morris Plains, and Morris Township are at the scene as well as Morris County Task Force and Morris County Sheriff Department.
We will update the story as information is available.
PARSIPPANY — This April “The Friends of Lake Hiawatha” is celebrating its tenth anniversary. The non-profit organization was originally established with one mission in mind and that mission was to “enhance the appearance of the Lake Hiawatha business area and bring more of a community feel to the neighborhood”.
With that in mind, they reached out to partner with our Lake Hiawatha’s merchants. One of the first goals was to purchase holiday decorations to “brighten up” North Beverwyck Road, which of course, is used by many people as they drive or walk in the area.
With generous donations from many of the merchants, the first purchase was 20 snowflake lights to decorate half of our lampposts for the winter season. With continued donations and fundraising events, they were able to purchase 20 additional snowflake lights and even added lighted wreaths, enough to cover all lampposts.
Every winter season, thanks to the Parks and Recreation department, which installs and removes the decorations, North Beverwyck Road is transformed into a “Winter Wonderland” and admired by all.
Having reached this goal, they then concentrated the efforts on purchasing barrels for planting flowers. The barrels are displayed along the road with a variety of beautiful flowers for the spring/summer seasons and colorful mums for the fall season. Thanks to Mayor Soriano’s assistance, the spring and summer flowers are now on display in containers that hang from the lampposts.
Having accomplished their beautification goals, they began to focus on community activities. First, they coupled with the Parsippany Girl Scouts to organize a yearly “Scarecrow Contest” which “The Friends of Lake Hiawatha” sponsored for the past eight years.
Each year girl scout troops create scarecrows that are exhibited either along the boulevard or in the gazebo. The committee members together with some of the merchants vote for first and second prize winners. The first prize winners enjoy a free ice cream party at Lake Hiawatha Dairy generously donated by John Pascarella and the second prize winners are awarded a pizza party at Valentino’s Restaurant donated by the organization.
“The Friends of Lake Hiawatha” sponsors a Winterfest in December that has become a very popular event for both children and parents. Santa Claus arrives on the Lake Hiawatha fire truck with the generous assistance of our volunteer firefighters. The children get to meet with Santa, who sits in the gazebo, and thanks to his Elves, each child gets a candy cane and a ticket to their annual raffle. As they wait for Santa, they enjoy hot chocolate and cookies and listen to Holiday Music. At the conclusion of the evening, the organization donates 10-inch girl’s and boys’ bicycles to the lucky winners of the raffle.
Unfortunately, they were not able to sponsor these events last year due to the pandemic. Hopefully, this year the organization will continue with the community activities which have brought families from different parts of Parsippany to Lake Hiawatha, the only truly original Main Street in our Township.
The current members of the “Friends of Lake Hiawatha”, Antoinette Piccolo-Simmons, Carol Greco, and John Pascarella, are committed to continuing these wonderful community activities.
PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany Troy-Hills has scheduled a township-wide hydrant inspection program.
Starting Sunday, April 18, the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Water Department will begin its annual Hydrant Inspection and Flushing Program.
Crews will commence during the overnight hours and conclude each day at 6:00 a.m. The program is expected to run until May 21. This program is essential to maintaining the water system which involves us systematically opening fire hydrants to increase water flows, therefore allowing us to flush any minerals and deposits from the water mains.
While flushing the system won’t interrupt water service, residents may notice a temporary drop in your water pressure or discolored water. This is normal and is not a health hazard. If this occurs, simply let your cold water tap run until it is clear. Check for discolored water before using the washing machine or dishwasher. If water pressure or water volume seems low after flushing has been completed, check your faucet screens for trapped particles.
If residents have any specific questions about the hydrant flushing in your area you may contact the Water Department at (973) 263-7099 Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
MORRIS COUNTY — 26th Legislative District State Senate candidate Christine Clarke dropped off 604 pounds of donated food to five food pantries around her district, after her ‘Petitions and Pantries’ drive to support food-insecure constituents while collecting signatures for her ballot petition to represent the 26th District.
“It’s important that we have our eyes on those who need us most as we move forward campaigning for the kind of servant leadership we want in the statehouse, and that includes supporting our local food pantries. It’s important that we help children sleep at night with full bellies and give parents the reassurance that New Jersey is not just supportive but empathetic during these difficult times,” said Clarke.
The donations collected during Clarke’s “Petitions and Pantries” signature drive events were split to benefit five food pantries in the district: Interfaith Food Pantry in Morris Plains, the Parsippany Emergency Food Pantry at the Parsippany Community Center, the Lincoln Park Food Pantry in Lincoln Park, the pantry at West Milford Presbyterian Church in West Milford, and the pantry at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Verona. This follows the work Clarke did in her personal capacity as a mother and activist supporting food pantries in her hometown of Jefferson after recovering from covid-19 herself in 2020, as more residents found themselves relying on food pantries for support.
Clarke is an environmental advocate, a grassroots organizer, and a mother-of-four running for State Senate to build the clean energy economy, improve healthcare, protect clean air and water, and lead with empathy and fiscal sense. She has lived in Jefferson for 16 years with her husband and four children.
The 26th District includes 13 communities in Essex, Morris, and Passaic counties: Butler, Fairfield, Jefferson, Kinnelon, Lincoln Park, Montville, Morris Plains, North Caldwell, Parsippany, Rockaway Township, Verona, West Caldwell, and West Milford.
MORRIS COUNTY — On April 2, 2021, officials gathered at JFK Park in Dover to recognize the fourth year of service for the Morris County Sheriff Office’s Hope One mobile outreach program, launched by Sheriff James M. Gannon on April 3, 2017.
Speakers included Congressman Tom Malinowski, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey Senator Anthony Bucco, Assemblywomen Betty Lou DeCroce and Aura Dunn, Dover Mayor Carolyn Blackman, Dover Deputy Chief Jonathan Delaney, Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw, Morris County Commissioner Thomas J. Mastrangelo, Deputy Director Deborah Smith, Family Promise of Morris County CEO Joann Bjornson, Mental Health Association of Essex & Morris CEO Robert Davison, Center for Addiction, Recovery, Education & Success (CARES) Director Melody Runyon and Hope One Coordinator Cpl. Erica Valvano.
Representing the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office were Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Chris Kimker, Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Brad Seabury, and Sergeant Patrick LaGuerre.
The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Hope One mobile outreach program launched using an old SWAT vehicle that was repainted white and purple and emblazoned with the logos of all the partners: Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Morris County Department of Human Services, Family Promise of Morris County, the Center for Addiction Recovery, Education & Success (CARES), the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris and Daytop-NJ.
Since its launch, the Hope One team has made over 17,600 community contacts and trained 3,149 people in the use of life-saving Narcan. Hope One vehicle go to locations in Morris County that are known to have at-risk populations, homeless individuals, and histories of drug transactions and overdose deaths. Offering immediate services to persons suffering from substance use disorder and opportunities to connect with recovery resources, Hope One deployed a second vehicle in August 2020. Earlier this spring, a new sweeping program was announced that combines the expertise and resources of multiple public service agencies to help vulnerable and at-risk people find the assistance they need, from homeless solutions and addiction treatment to mental health counseling or a combination of services. Hope Hub will be a multidisciplinary panel made up of members of law enforcement, social services, mental health services, healthcare providers, treatment providers and recovery specialists. Individuals and families struggling with problems referred to the Hope Hub panel will be connected to life-changing services. The panel will determine what public services would best help an individual brought to their attention, and the panel will work together to determine if a situation requires a welfare visit or an intervention.
Acting Prosecutor Carroll recognized the Hope One team’s hard work and dedication, especially the vision of Sheriff Gannon in launching the program.
Acting Prosecutor Carroll stated, “Sheriff Gannon, you should be very proud of what this program has accomplished. Hope One’s successes not only demonstrate the effectiveness of the program but literally, fit the definition of ‘hope,’ and they continue to expand. Newly developed programs which include the teaming up of our addiction and mental health resources with law enforcement, judicial professionals, and other community services and organizations have now taken shape. In addition, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal has directed the formation of a statewide mental health steering committee, which in turn will work with the county prosecutor’s offices to establish county-level mental health working groups, coordinating the key mental health resource programs to increase utilization and broaden services.”
Dear Parsippany-Troy Hills School Community,
I hope you are enjoying a relaxing break. The weather has been beautiful and all sorts of things are beginning to bloom. Spring is definitely in the air.
The NJ Department of Health issued updated guidance on travel and quarantine timeframes.
Individuals who clinically recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months and have had a positive PCR within 90 days do NOT need to quarantine following domestic travel or international travel.
Individuals who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine following domestic travel and international travel, though they should self-monitor for symptoms and self-isolate if symptoms develop. Fully vaccinated individuals should get tested for COVID-19 3-5 days after international travel.
Unvaccinated persons will be required to quarantine for 14 days following domestic and/or international travel.
If parents have been fully vaccinated and their children have not, the children will still need to quarantine for 14 days following domestic and/or international travel.
If a family member has clinically recovered from COVID-19 in the past 3 months and the children have been healthy, the children will still need to quarantine for 14 days following domestic and/or international travel.
As always, should you have any questions, please speak with your principal/supervisor or phone/email my office. We will happily answer your questions. The health of our school community depends upon everyone following this guidance. Please don’t jeopardize the last months of school, spring sports, and our end-of-year celebrations by ignoring these guidelines. We’re counting on everyone to do the right thing.
We’re on track for combined A/B cohort attendance at all schools beginning on Monday, April 12. Should staff absences due to quarantine present a challenge to opening school, we will transition that impacted school only to fully remote status. At this time, I do not anticipate this happening, but I want to explain the possibility of your awareness.
When we return to school on April 12, there will 50 days left of the school year. Look how far we’ve come! More students will be attending classes in person and the nicer weather will allow for outside breaks in the sunshine. Enjoy this time away to re-energize and spend time with your families.
Barbara Sargent, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
MORRIS COUNTY — All New Jersey residents age 16 and over will be eligible to make an appointment for the coronavirus vaccine beginning April 19, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday in another major eligibility expansion.
The news means people will be eligible two weeks ahead of when Murphy originally planned to make vaccines available to every New Jerseyan. The governor said he’s still confident that 70% of the state’s eligible population — some 4.7 million people — will be vaccinated within six months of when the first dose was administered in mid-December.
“Yes, we still have roughly three million people to go to meet our initial goal,” Murphy said during his latest COVID-19 briefing in Trenton.
There are currently 1,796,798 fully vaccinated people in the state, Murphy said. That’s about 38% of the state’s goal to have the 4.7 million vaccinated by June 30.
He’s optimistic about reaching the goal based on the increased number of doses being sent to New Jersey by the federal government.
“Two months ago, on February 5, we reported roughly 180,000 fully vaccinated individuals. One month later, on March 5, we reported 789,500. Or, nearly 610,000 in one month,” Murphy said.
Dear Editor:
In support of Ken Dolsky’s Resolution to Council Presented April 6th Opposing Flawed State Forest Plan. Trees and remaining natural places have never been more important.
Governor Phil Murphy
Oppose A4843/S3549
Forest Management itself is a phenomenon known as self-organization and needs little if any human interference.
Assemblyman Webber has opposed the Bill based on lack of funding; not forest ecology in the name of public trust. Governor Murphy needs to step up to his contentions of climate crisis necessities of the times.
You (Jay Webber) are opposing these Bills; due to financing; it should be because they are Scientifically Obsolete and contrary to the laws of entropy, and self-organization.
There is no waste in forest ecology.
This is a “teapot dome” type of scandal to privatize forest lands held in the public trust, for short-term private deals in an economy to nowhere. We need trees and biodiversity now more than ever, as human impacts have finally brought us to the stage of the “Anthropocene” where the biosphere is losing more energy and becoming simplified into a state of entropic death; and Bifurcations which will bring still-unknown impacts of degradation. In short, the so-called Forest Management as practiced is outdated and endanger the health of all life.
Suggest you brush up on the new rediscoveries of forest and ecology. Trees and soil ecosystems have never been more important in our evolution. Progress is a Myth; as is unsustainable senseless growth.
Biomass Industry is logging all trees and forest debris for wood stove pellets.
Part of Nature, not apart from nature. There is No Place for Logging or the Biomass Industry in our New Jersey. Ecology Not Economy. If anything we need more Conservation Officers in our State to enforce rules and deal with ongoing violations.
Biomass: The total amount of both living and nonliving organic matter in an organism or ecosystem. To extract biomass is to simplify and accelerate entropy or death of a complex system that supports itself through self-organization; the very life force in nature.
If any management is required its law enforcement because of the abuse our public lands suffer; or management curtailment of invasive species, which these flawed plans will only increase. Only State/Government-sponsored and funded jobs can accomplish this.
Land in the Public Trust is not for private business deals
FINALLY GOVERNOR WHY HAVE YOU ALLOWED THE SPARTA MOUNTAIN FIASCO TO CONTINUE, AND WE STILL HAVE HIGHLANDS COUNCIL MEMBERS NOT IN KEEPING WITH THE LAWS INTENT OR PURPOSE.
New Jersey Love it or leave it alone!. Outcomes are more important than intention. In this case, the intention is flawed, obsolete, and ecological, scientifically, and morally unsound.
Sincerely,
Nick Homyak
PARSIPPANY — The Birch Group, a privately-held commercial real estate investor, owner, and operator announced an extensive capital improvement initiative at 99 & 199 Cherry Hill Road, a two-building office park. The company will invest $1 million to transform the 191,249-square-foot complex’s lobbies and make upgrades to the conference rooms, hallways, bathrooms, and common spaces.
Since acquiring 99 & 199 Cherry Hill Road in January 2020, The Birch Group has taken a proactive and tenant-focused approach to the property’s improvements. The properties have consistently outperformed the overall market, and are currently occupied by a high-caliber roster of tenants that includes Bayada Home Healthcare, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Scholls Wellness Company – the manufacturer of Dr. Scholls.
“We see tremendous upside potential in 99 & 199 Cherry Hill Road, but we also recognize the importance of reinvesting in our properties to ensure they meet and exceed the needs and expectations of our tenants for many years to come,” said Mark Meiser, president and founder of The Birch Group. “For every Birch Group property we own, we listen carefully to the needs of existing and future tenants, and enact tailored improvement and marketing strategies to create workplace environments that help them prosper and attract top talent.”
Offering all of the benefits of a suburban office including a park-like setting, 99 & 199 Cherry Hill Road feature a landscaped exterior and common courtyard overlooking a reflective pond. Amenities at the property include a full-service cafeteria and conference centers.
Strategically located at the Interstate 80 interchange and only minutes from Interstate 287, with immediate access to Routes 46 and 202, the Cherry Hill Road buildings are in close proximity to retail centers, restaurants, and hotels, further complementing the complex’s existing amenities.
The Cushman & Wakefield team of Dan Johnsen and William O’Keefe serve as the exclusive leasing agent for the complex.
“Set within a desirable location that offers easy access to nearby transportation and neighborhood amenities, 99 & 199 Cherry Hill Road are ideal properties for a wide range of office users,” said O’Keefe, managing director at Cushman & Wakefield.
The Birch Group has a proven track record of creating immediate value that has led to successful lease-up at its properties – including the execution of its value-add strategy at 350-360 Mount Kemble in Morristown, an asset the company acquired in 2018.
The Birch Group is a privately-held commercial real estate investor, owner, and operator with a singular ability to uncover opportunities and create enduring value for partners, tenants and investors. Since 2014, we have deliberately expanded our portfolio of income-generating properties to include more than 3.8 million square feet of value-add office assets in strategic markets that demonstrate sound fundamentals and growth potential.
The Birch Group takes the long view, employing a methodical approach to investment in the pursuit of institutional-quality assets that consistently outperform any market cycle. For each property, we listen to the needs of existing and future tenants and enact tailored improvement and marketing strategies to create workplace environments that help them prosper. For more information click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Clerk Ann F. Grossi, Esq. will draw names for ballot positions for the upcoming June 2021 Primary Election. The drawing will commence on Friday, April 16, at 3:00 p.m.
The drawing will be live-streamed on Facebook Live and can be accessed through the Morris County Clerk’s Facebook page. To access the Livestream, search ‘Morris County Clerk, Ann F. Grossi, Esq.’ on Facebook and then click the ‘Events’ tab on the Facebook page. Please note that the Livestream will not begin until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2021.
MORRIS COUNTY — Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker announce the hiring of Mark Ferraro as Detective for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
On Monday, April 5, Acting Prosecutor Carroll and Chief of Detectives Kimker held a ceremony for Detective Ferraro, who will be assigned to the General Investigations Unit within the Courts and Administration Division.
Detective Ferraro started his law enforcement career as a juvenile detention officer with the Morris County Juvenile Detention Center and as an intern with the Morris Township Police Department. He served as a patrol officer with the Maplewood Police Department for nine years and was appointed to the Special Services Team, which included pro-active enforcement in various areas within the town. He completed various specialized training and holds a B.A. from Wesley College.
Acting Prosecutor Carroll said, “I welcome Detective Ferraro to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, and trust that he will make an outstanding addition to our agency.”
PARSIPPANY – Governor Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs announced this week that a grant of $20,000 will be awarded to the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills to provide greater access to recreational activities for residents with disabilities.
The Recreation Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities (ROID) grant provides funding for governmental entities to develop or expand recreational programs for individuals with disabilities within their communities.
“Continuing to expand our Township’s recreation facilities to serve all residents – including those with disabilities – remains an important mission for our parks and recreation department,” said Mayor Michael Soriano. “The receipt of this grant furthers equal access for everyone.”
Parsippany is home to 32 parks and recreation areas and several recreation organizations. This grant money will assist in ongoing development efforts to create inclusive activities, including afterschool, evening, and weekend sports and recreation.
“We’ve been awarded this grant for a couple of years now, which we use to run Games with Friends, one of the most influential programs we offer,” said Sam Yodice, Executive Director of the Parsippany Police Athletic League. “It invites youth with special needs to take part in different socialization exercises to build comfort and confidence.”
Created in 1978, the ROID program ensures necessary accommodations are made for full inclusion for individuals with disabilities participating in municipal and county recreation programs. The grants also help local governments in meeting Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Each grant requires a 20 percent cash match.
“During COVID so many programs like this were shut down,” said Yodice. “This grant will allow us to bring the program back and help these children and young adults. It’s been a real pleasure to watch the program grow over the years.”
For more information about the ROID Grant click here.
For more information on the Parsippany PAL’s Games with Friends Program click here.
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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