Man Charged in Connection with Morristown Train Station Homicide

Frank L. Cahill
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Man Charged in Connection with Morristown Train Station Homicide

MORRIS COUNTY — Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, New Jersey Transit Police Chief Christopher Trucillo, and Morristown Police Department Acting Chief Darnell Richardson announce the arrest of Lamar A. Harris, 33, last known address was 1 Jean Street, Morristown.

At approximately 12:29 a.m. on March 29, 2021, law enforcement received information regarding a deceased male in the area of the Morristown Train Station, Morris Street, Morristown. Subsequent investigation confirmed that the male’s body was located on a stairway at the train station. The male had apparent head injuries and a brick was located next to the body. An autopsy was performed by the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the manner of death was certified as a homicide. The male’s full name and identity will not be disclosed at his family’s request.

Subsequent investigation including video surveillance from the Morristown Train Station area revealed the victim was in the company of Lamar Harris in the time before the murder. Harris was apprehended in Morristown on March 31, 2021. He has been charged with first-degree murder, first-degree Robbery, third-degree Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purposes, and fourth-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. In accordance with the Criminal Justice Reform Act, Harris has been remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings.

Members of the Morristown Police Department, the New Jersey Transit Police, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit all contributed to the investigation.

Acting Prosecutor Carroll commended the thorough and efficient police work of the several cooperating agencies involved in this investigation. He also cited Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Muhammad Thomas, Morristown Police Department Detective Robert Edwards, New Jersey Transit Police Detective James Garrison, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Detective Andreas Zaharopoulos, and Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Schellhorn for their teamwork and dedication to this “round the clock investigation” that resulted in an arrest within approximately 48 hours from the initial crime report.

Acting Prosecutor Carroll stated, “This is an example of police agencies selflessly pulling together to respond to a murder scene, develop evidence, identify a suspect and then safely effectuate an arrest.”

If anyone has any information related to this investigation, they are encouraged to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (973) 285-6200.

Editor’s Note: An arrest or the signing of a criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  Despite this accusation, the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until he or she has been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting Scheduled for April 7, 2021

Frank L. Cahill
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Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting Scheduled for April 7, 2021

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting on Wednesday, April 7 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.

Click here to download the agenda for the Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting.

Click here to access the meeting.

Planning Board Meeting Set for Monday, April 5

Frank L. Cahill
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Planning Board Meeting Set for Monday, April 5

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will conduct its Planning Board meeting on Monday, April 5, 2021, 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.

For more information, please call (973) 263-4286 or email njolie@parsippany.net.

Op-Ed: We Refuse to be Silenced

Focus contributor
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Op-Ed: We Refuse to be Silenced

PARSIPPANY — This article was submitted by Prerna Shankar and Parsippany resident Savaas Iqbal, who are in the 2021 class of the Governor’s STEM Scholars. They have written a piece outlining the challenges women face in STEM, from the perspective of high school students.  As March is both Women’s History Month and NJ STEM Month, I cannot think of a more relevant time to explore this topic.

March 2021: Women’s History Month. This month is about celebrating women’s contributions to the world. This year’s theme is “Refusing to be Silenced”; appreciating all the women who have broken stereotypes and refused to be treated as lesser. When it comes to STEM, women aren’t as present in the field as men, and for a variety of reasons. In honor of STEM Month, we refuse to be silenced when it comes to gender disparities in STEM.

Consider Katalin Karikó, Ph.D, a Hungarian-born biochemist, one of few women scientists that may be awarded a Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

If she wins, she will be one of only eight women to receive the honor in the prize’s 110 years.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, her revolutionary research is the backbone of the mRNA vaccines. Her work provides lifesaving protection to millions. Like her, there are millions of female innovators. However, these women make up a minute fraction of the men who have dominated the field.

Women in STEM are capable, yet a small part of them pursue careers in STEM— mainly due to a lack of female role models and inequalities between the sexes even from young ages. We, as young women of color who are interested in pursuing STEM, feel the public should know about our struggles as young women in STEM and elaborate on how to combat inequalities across STEM professions.

Many believe that there aren’t any gender inequities in STEM. If this were the case, representation in STEM would be equal. The data simply says otherwise; for example, women only hold 5% of leadership positions in the technology industry.

We have been exposed to science from our youth, and understand the necessity for women to be exposed to STEM. It opens up opportunities for us to broaden our perspectives and innovate.

When we think of famous scientists, we think of Einstein, Darwin, and Newton. Notice how no women are listed. Why don’t we think of Ada Lovelace, Jane Goodall, Katherine Johnson?

The key difference is that these women aren’t given the visibility they deserve. The achievements of men are exposed to us from a young age and we can list them off the top of our heads, yet we have to resort to Google searches to find notable women in STEM.

There’s a consistent pattern of boys dominating science classes and camps compared to girls. As high school STEM students, we’ve noticed this trend for years – even as early as elementary school.

There’s a real dichotomy of being inspired and excited by scientific thought and innovation while being iced out as the only woman in the group, left to sit alone at the literal and proverbial lunch table. It’s something that we’ve experienced, as have many young women exploring the sciences. This isolation is common in STEM careers: we often form cliques with like-minded people, ones who think, act, and look like us – and for kids, this often starts with gender. However, this just goes to show that it’s times like these when we’re forced to think about how alone women are in STEM.

This isn’t limited to us: in general, women’s interest in STEM declines when reaching high school. According to Girls Who Code, 74% of young girls in middle school express interest in STEM or computer science, but only 18% of computer science degrees are held by women. This indicates how drastically interest in STEM drops as young girls reach college: what discourages them from staying on that path? Is it the overwhelming male presence? The lack of role models? There are many factors that contribute to this drop, but this problem can be fixed.

There are issues concerning women in STEM workplaces, and there are things we can do to facilitate equality going forward.

Engaging girls from a young age by introducing STEM programs catered to them will allow them to get exposure from the beginning. Introducing female role models to girls from elementary to high school is also important; it gives us the confidence to pursue what we want to while knowing that others have paved the way for us to do so.

We will keep advocating for these changes for our fellow women in STEM. We will keep addressing these issues, so we can create opportunities to fix them going forward. The gender discrepancies we see today are no small matter, and we won’t back down when it comes to advocating for this cause.

We refuse to be silenced.

Savaas Iqbal is a sophomore at the Academy for Biotechnology located at Mountain Lakes High School and a Parsippany resident. He aspires to enter the field of STEM and inspire other women to do so as well. Savaas currently volunteers to tutor elementary school children in science and mathematics. He has been working to ensure that the young girls they tutor are able to build confidence in their abilities in science and mathematics. Savaas is a 2021 Governor’s STEM Scholar. 

Prerna Shankar is a junior at North Hunterdon High School’s Biomedical Sciences Academy, where she studies in-depth topics related to the fields of medicine and health sciences. She is also the president and founder of the Brain Bee Club at North Hunterdon and was a finalist in the Princeton Brain Bee competition this year. Through volunteering and devoting her time to causes she cares about, she makes sure to give back to her community in any way possible. Prerna aspires to pursue neuroscience in the future while creating opportunities and awareness for women in the field. She is a 2021 Governor’s STEM Scholar. 

The Governor’s STEM Scholars is a program of the Research & Development Council of New Jersey.  It introduces New Jersey high school and college students to the State’s vast STEM economy. Applications are now open for the 2022 class of Governor’s STEM Scholars at www.govstemscholars.com.

Honor Student Kylie Wan Nominated for The Congress of Future Medical Leaders

Frank L. Cahill
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Honor Student Kylie Wan Nominated for The Congress of Future Medical Leaders

PARSIPPANY —  Kylie Wan, a Junior at Parsippany Hills High School is a Delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders on June 26 and 27, 2021.

The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country interested in these careers, to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan, and resources to help them reach their goal.

Kylie’s nomination was signed by Dr. Mario Capecchi, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and the Science Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists to represent New Jersey-based on her academic achievement, leadership potential, and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine. During the two-day Congress, Kylie Wan will join students from across the country and hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research; be given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school; witness stories told by patients who are living medical miracles; be inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies; and learn about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology.

This is a crucial time in America when we need more doctors and medical scientists who are even better prepared for a future that is changing exponentially. Focused, bright and determined students like Kylie Wan are our future and she deserves all the mentoring and guidance we can give her.

The Academy offers free services and programs to students who want to become physicians or go into medical science. Some of the services and programs the Academy offers are online social networks through which future doctors and medical scientists can communicate; opportunities for students to be guided and mentored by physicians and medical students; and communications for parents and students on college acceptance and finances, skills acquisition, internships, career guidance and much more.

The National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists was founded on the belief that we must identify prospective medical talent at the earliest possible age and help these students acquire the necessary experience and skills to take them to the doorstep of this vital career. Based in Washington, D.C. and with offices in Boston, MA, the Academy was chartered as a nonpartisan, taxpaying institution to help address this crisis by working to identify, encourage and mentor students who wish to devote their lives to the service of humanity as physicians, medical scientists. For more information click here or call (617) 307-7425.

Changes For Garbage and Sanitation For Holiday Week

Frank L. Cahill
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Changes For Garbage and Sanitation For Holiday Week

PARSIPPANY — Due to the holiday week, the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills Garbage and Sanitation will have the following schedule changes:

• Wed. 3/31: Garbage Districts 1, 2, 4 | Recycling District 3 | No Cardboard Pickup
• Thurs. 4/1: Garbage Districts 3, 5, 6 | Recycling Districts 4 & 5
• Fri. 4/2: Recycling Center Closed | No Garbage or Recycling Pickup
• Sat. 4/3: Recycling Center Closed

Questions please call (973) 263-7273.

Murphy Highlights Cover All Kids Initiative to Provide All New Jersey Kids with Health Insurance

Frank L. Cahill
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Murphy Highlights Cover All Kids Initiative to Provide All New Jersey Kids with Health Insurance

MORRIS COUNTY — Joined by Senate Health Committee Chair Senator Joe Vitale, Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez, Assemblyman Gary Schaer, Congressman Bill Pascrell, Human Services Acting Commissioner Sarah Adelman, Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride, and Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency Director Shabnam Salih, Governor Phil Murphy today visited the North Hudson Community Action Corporation to highlight the $20 million investment in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY2022) budget proposal for Phase 1 of the Cover All Kids campaign.
“No child in New Jersey should be left without the support and security of health care coverage,” said Governor Murphy. “The proposed investment toward Cover All Kids in our budget continues the progress we’ve made toward advancing health care accessibility, while laying the foundation to ensure that more children are able to receive access to quality health care coverage that they deserve.”

“As a daughter of immigrants and as someone who grew up with NJ FamilyCare coverage for most of my childhood, I could not be more thankful for the Governor’s leadership here and excited about what this campaign will mean for the thousands of uninsured children in New Jersey,” said Shabnam Salih, Executive Director of the Office of Health Care Affordability and Transparency. “Through this work we will not only be ensuring better health care for these children, but removing a significant burden in their lives that will help ensure brighter and healthier futures.”

“Governor Murphy is committed to supporting New Jerseyans through every stage of life, which is why he’s proposing a new Cover All Kids initiative to provide health care coverage for every New Jersey child,” said Human Services Acting Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “New Jersey has been leading the way on health care access for years, and with this plan we will achieve something monumental and fundamental: health care for every child. This is a compassionate and fiscally responsible plan – and it’s realistic. It’s also – most importantly – crucial for our children and our future.”

“Under Governor Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has made it a priority to improve access to health care, based on the principle that health care is a fundamental right. Last fall, we opened our state-based exchange, Get Covered New Jersey, where residents who do not have health insurance from an employer or other program can purchase coverage. That alone was transformational for our state,” said Department of Banking and Insurance Commissioner Marlene Caride. “Now with a plan to Cover All Kids, New Jersey will continue to chart a deliberate path forward and deliver improved health care access for residents.”
The campaign further builds on the Governor’s progress in making critical strides in improving access to more affordable health care coverage for New Jersey residents. The launch of the Cover All Kids campaign provides the opportunity to extend coverage to those most in need. This initiative will improve accessibility and remove barriers to cover nearly 90,000 uninsured children in our state.

Phase 1 of the Cover All Kids Campaign
The first phase will remove barriers and support connections to coverage for nearly 53,000 children through FY2022 by doing the following:
Eliminating the 90-day waiting period for coverage to children newly enrolling into the Children Health’s Insurance Program (CHIP);
Removing premiums families would pay for their children enrolled in CHIP; and
Developing targeted outreach efforts to boost enrollment for currently eligible children who are unenrolled.

Phase 2 of the Cover All Kids Campaign
The second phase of the campaign begins after Phase 1 implementation and will provide coverage options for children of undocumented immigrants and those whose families’ incomes are over NJ FamilyCare eligibility, but still find coverage unaffordable and out of reach.

“Governor Murphy’s Cover All Kids initiative is precisely the kind of bold government action we need right now here in Passaic and across this state,” said Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. “Lack of health care during the pandemic has caused tragedy. Fortunately, our state’s local and federal officials are united in our efforts to defeat this virus and strengthen your health care. Thanks to Governor Murphy’s leadership and the additional federal resources we have delivered, the state has launched the Cover All Kids initiative to invest in coverage for the 88,000 children who lack health care. This comes on the heels of President Biden’s massive American Rescue Plan we passed which makes health care more affordable, makes health services more accessible, and cuts child poverty rates in half. As we look to safely reopen schools and help families recover, we must prioritize the solutions that will keep our neighbors healthy.”

“There’s nothing more important than having a kid have access to care. All those families that are here today understand what it means when your kids are sick,” said Senator Joseph Vitale.

“I think we can all agree that one child without insurance is too many and our benchmark for success needs to be covering all kids,” said Assemblywoman Yvonne Lopez. “The legislation Senator Vitale and I introduced charts a course to address the issues barring our kids from receiving coverage. We will expand eligibility to all children who meet the income requirement, eliminate the burdensome 90-day waiting period, reestablish the New Jersey Care buy-in program, and ensure a robust outreach program that will target every child in need.”
“This is the game-changer that we have all been waiting for. This is the difference between not doing and doing. This legislation will make fundamental change, not over there or over there, but right here in this wonderful city, Passaic,” said Assemblyman Gary Schaer. “Whatever your background, your language, culture or religion, we make the difference with this legislation today.

“ACNJ commends Governor Murphy and legislative leaders for their commitment to ensure that all NJ children have access health insurance,” said Cecilia Zalkind, President & Chief Executive Officer of Advocates for Children of New Jersey. “NJ has long been a leader in ensuring that children are covered. This will remove the final barriers to reach the goal of covering all kids. Access to health care is essential to child well-being. This is a great day for kids in NJ!”

“Having attainable, affordable health care is not just a health issue – it is a critical component for individuals and families to remain financially stable and for economies to thrive,” said United Way of Northern New Jersey CEO Kiran Handa Gaudioso. “We support making health care coverage accessible so that fewer ALICE households and those in poverty are uninsured or underinsured.”

Dead on a stairway: Authorities Seek Public Help Solving Morristown Train Station Incident

Frank L. Cahill
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Dead on a stairway: Authorities Seek Public Help Solving Morristown Train Station Incident

MORRIS COUNTY — Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, New Jersey Transit Police Chief Christopher Trucillo, and Morristown Police Department Acting Chief Darnell Richardson announce an investigation into a deceased male found in Morristown.

At approximately 12:29 a.m. on March 29, 2021, law enforcement received information regarding a deceased male in the area of the Morristown Train Station, Morris Street, Morristown, New Jersey. Subsequent investigation confirmed that the male’s body was located on a stairway at the train station. An autopsy was performed by the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The cause and manner of death are pending. The identity of the individual will not be released at this time. The investigation remains active and ongoing.

The Morristown train station platforms remain open for normal operations. Members of the Morristown Police Department, New Jersey Transit Police, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit are participating in the investigation. Anyone with information related to this investigation is encouraged to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (973) 285-6200.

Rotary District 7475 Declares Itself Stigma-Free

Frank L. Cahill
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Rotary District 7475 Declares Itself Stigma-Free

MORRIS COUNTY — The Rotary Clubs in our area have declared the organization to be stigma-free as of March 24, 2021.  The goal is to eliminate the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders through education and creating awareness.

Stigma is the primary barrier to those with mental health and substance use disorders to seek help.  By working within the mission of Rotary District 7475, which includes Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Sussex, Union, and Warren Counties, the objective is to create working relationships with the communities and counties that it serves.  They hope to help people overcome their resistance to seeking help by eliminating the stigma that often makes them feel overwhelmed.

To learn more about the Rotary Stigma-Free initiative, please contact District Governor Ann Walko at  edudoc98@aol.com  or (908) 410-7251.

Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting for March 24, 2021

Frank L. Cahill
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Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting for March 24, 2021

PARSIPPANY — Zoning Board of Adjustment Meeting for March 24, 2021

Click here to download the agenda.

 

Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board – March 22, 2021

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board – March 22, 2021

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board – March 22, 2021

Click here to download the agenda.

Celebrate Earth Day with a Weekend Clean Up

Frank L. Cahill
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Celebrate Earth Day with a Weekend Clean Up

PARSIPPANY In honor of Earth Day, on Saturday, April 24, the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills is partnering with Jersey City to conduct a cleanup of the Boonton Reservoir. The 700-acre reservoir supplies water to Jersey City and is one of Parsippany’s most identifiable areas.

That same day, the Township will also be on hand for a garbage cleanup along with areas of North Beverwyck Road, Parsippany Road, and Vail Road.

Volunteers will be collecting plastic, garbage, and debris to clean up our community, and we need your help!

To Volunteer click here to register for the cleanup.

Letter to the Editor: Soriano Does Not Put Parsippany First

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

I read Nick Homyak’s Letter to the Editor of March 2, 2021, and said to myself he is a fighter for the environment which is a very just cause, but Mr. Homyak must be naïve to what is going on in Parsippany for the last three years and two months.

Soriano and his administration without any conscience to the Parsippany residents and business owners have completely genuflected to the Democratic party and for their own self-interests.

Starting in January 2017, with the hire of Jonathan Nelson, the hiring chief of staff Matt Clarkin, by the way, the first appointment left suddenly for greener pastures with NJ Transit. The latter we don’t know why he left in an election year! By the way, Soriano publicly stated at a council meeting that Matt was so much better than Michele Sylvin, a right-hand employee to THREE Mayors both democratic and republican.

Another hire, Keith Kazmark, Business Administrator, what a sad joke.

Soriano only won because the former mayor reappointed the township attorney.

A very well-informed resident made a comment in Parsippany Focus to Mr. Homyak’s letter. Please read the comment. Mr. Kumburis is right. I do believe Councilpersons Petersen and McCarthy have the best interests in the town, not the democratic party. That’s why both are not running for reelection, Soriano does not put Parsippany First. Wouldn’t you like to be a fly on the wall what goes on behind closed doors? I commend the job Petersen and McCarthy have done for these three years.

Mr. Kumburis, the residents should take notice of your many observant comments to letters written to Parsippany Focus. You would be a good candidate.

Mr. Homyak, you are a good person, you and I put the environment first, we volunteered together on clean-ups, please Nick see what has been going on within this current administration.

Roy Messmer
Former Parsippany Resident

 

Recent Homes Sales in Parsippany

Frank L. Cahill
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Recent Homes Sales in Parsippany

PARSIPPANY —  This single-family home located at 5 Renault Drive, Parsippany, was sold on January 29, 2021, for $610,000.  This property has four bedrooms and three bathrooms. This property has a lot size of 0.34 acres and was built in 1968. The listing agent was Adam Aguanno with Realty Executives Platinum, Parsippany. The property was listed on November 23, 2020, for $590,000.

Street # Street  Sale Price 
1193 S Beverwyck Rd  $                803,000
17 Beverly St  $                815,000
24 Schindler Ct  $                537,500
2467 Route 10, Bldg 43-8b  $                175,000
211 Fairview Pl  $                760,000
191-4 N Beverwyck Rd  $                170,000
2467 Route 10 Bldg19 Unit 5b  $                164,000
2 Kenneth Ln  $                525,000
2467 Route 10 Bldg35 5a  $                154,000
32 Ser Del Dr  $                615,000
350 Halsey Rd  $                360,000
2350 Route 10-D15  $                223,000
29 Gordon Cir  $                502,000
46 Morris Ave  $                325,000
2467 Route 10  $                235,000
2467 Route 10 14 4b  $                220,000
180-130 Littleton Rd  $                187,500
2467 Route 10 Bldg 39 3a  $                180,000
13 Chesapeake Ave  $                560,000
117 Kingston Rd  $                499,900
134 Everett Rd  $                445,000
199C-14 N Beverwyck Rd  $                140,000
42 Manito Ave  $                470,000
2467 Route 10, Building 35-6a  $                158,000
225 Intervale Rd  $                585,000
14 Rita Dr  $                485,000
118 Summerhill Dr  $                505,000
19 Southwood Dr  $                845,000
27 Grafton Dr  $                479,000
544 Allentown Rd  $                440,000
4 Kelley Ln  $                443,000
23 Calumet Ave  $                489,000
239 Summerhill Dr  $                435,000
2467 Route 10 Bldg 2 Unit 2b  $                165,000
25 Westminster Dr  $                555,000
130 Fox Hill Rd  $                440,000
53 Bound Brook Rd  $                340,000
4 Dogwood Lane  $                470,000
2467 Route 10  $                170,000
17 Nantes Rd  $                585,000
10 Manito Ave  $                400,000
1 Calumet Ave  $                344,000
15 Whitfield Pl  $                255,000
2350 Route 10 A23  $                136,000
111 Cardigan Ct  $                517,500
50 Dacotah Ave  $                360,000
2350 Route 10  $                150,000
2350 Route 10 Unit B33  $                159,000
8 Linda St  $                498,000
48 Gordon Cir  $                495,000
380 Old Bloomfield Ave  $                415,000
78 Hamburg Rd  $                301,500
2 Ferndale Dr  $                530,000
182 Fieldcrest Rd  $                569,000
31 Monett Ct  $                484,900
2350 Route 10 West D-9  $                184,900
5 Renault Dr  $                610,000
101 N Beverwyck Rd Unit 14  $                134,000
80 Hawkins Ave  $                555,000
29 Haddonfield Dr  $                545,000
94 Brooklawn Dr  $                605,000
31 Alloway Rd  $                427,000
2350 Route 10  $                163,500
17 Buckingham Rd  $                519,000
63 Wenonah Ave  $                380,000
1 New Hampshire Ct  $                492,000
242 Fox Hill Rd  $                485,000
2467 Route10  $                165,000
2467 Route 10 Bldg 31  $                240,000
2350 Route 10  $                167,000
4 Evan Ct  $                815,000
6 Cedar Ter  $                570,000
180-152 Littleton Rd  $                175,000
64 Longview Ave  $                400,000
1300 Littleton Rd  $                507,500
34 Keansburg Rd  $                370,000
176 Harrison Rd  $                430,000
59 Troy Rd  $                467,000
30 Beverly St  $                831,000
2467 Route 10  $                175,000

A Letter From Dr. Barbara Sargent, Superintendent of Schools

Frank L. Cahill
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A Letter From Dr. Barbara Sargent, Superintendent of Schools

PARSIPPANY — A Letter From Dr. Barbara Sargent, Superintendent of Schools.

Dear Parsippany-Troy Hills Families,

We are at an exciting time in our district.  All middle and high schools are open for Cohort A and B students to attend together.  Knollwood, Northvail, and Troy Hills Elementary Schools also combined Cohort A and B students this week.  At each school, the positive energy from students seeing friends and teachers engaging with more in-person learners has been welcome.  The remaining elementary schools will begin this attendance model on April 12.  We continue to provide remote learning options for parents or guardians who request it for their children.

Good News About Vaccinations

With the gracious assistance of a trusted Parsippany-Troy Hills Township School District colleague and friend, all staff members have been provided a direct connection to Atlantic Health System for securing vaccination appointments.  We are providing coverage so that staff members can get vaccinated as quickly as possible.  Vaccines aren’t the only solution, however.  Keeping our school doors open for students is dependent upon continued attention to health and safety guidelines.  Even with the increase in access to vaccinations, we must remain vigilant. It is critical that we all continue to follow social distancing, masking, and other infection control protocols while vaccine administration is ongoing in the State.

Required Travel Quarantine – Travel Plans Are Discouraged 

The milder weather is a happy reminder that spring break is just a few weeks away. At this time, the NJ Department of Health guidance is that non-essential, out-of-state travel is discouraged, regardless of a person’s vaccination status. Travelers must continue to follow quarantining recommendations after travel. Unless there is a change in this guidance, all students who travel to any U.S. state or territory beyond the immediate region (New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware) must quarantine.

School Calendar Changes

Our Board of Education approved the following changes to the June 2021 calendar:

  • Two unused Snow/Emergency Days will be added to the end of the school year; the last day of school for students will be Friday, June 18.
  • Parsippany High School will have outdoor graduation on Tuesday, June 22 in the morning; Parsippany Hills High School will have outdoor graduation on Wednesday, June 23 in the morning.
  • Brooklawn Middle School will have Grade 8 Promotion on Friday, June 18 (Morning at PHHS Field); Central Middle School will have Grade 8 Promotion on Monday, June 21 (Morning at PHS Field).
  • The elementary schools will plan for Grade 5 Outdoor Moving-Up celebrations during the last full week of school.
  • Additional details will be communicated as we get closer to these dates.  We know from previous experience that much of our planning will be dependent upon capacity limits and NJ Department of Health guidelines.

My best to all our families for a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely,
Barbara Sargent, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Letter to the Editor: Gun Violence Did Not Go Into Quarantine

Letters to the Editor
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parsippany focusDear Editor:

The events in Colorado recently, and in Georgia last week, were horrific. My heart goes out to the victims and their families, and to entire communities that are now more acutely aware of the toll that gun violence can take on a town. But I am also grateful. Parsippany is the type of town, much like Newtown, Connecticut, and Parkland, Florida, that would be shaken to its core if we were to experience a high-profile mass shooting like the one that occurred in Boulder. My children don’t fear being shot as they walk to school every day. Generally, my friends and neighbors here have not witnessed gun violence first-hand, which, shockingly, puts them in the minority. It is an exceedingly safe place to live, which is part of why I chose to raise a family here.  I am privileged enough to have that choice. Millions of Americans are not.

2020 and 2021 have been incredibly difficult. We’ve all been preoccupied with staying safe from COVID19 while trying to stay afloat financially. We’ve struggled to keep our children entertained and active, and forgone many of the simple pleasures in life to which we had become accustomed. It was easy to be lulled into an almost tunnel vision perception that gun violence is no longer a problem because people are staying home more. Did you forget that gun violence still exists? You’re not alone. With many children out of school due to the pandemic, I heard from parents near and far that there was a sense of relief in knowing that their children wouldn’t be subject to fear-inducing lockdown drills, or worse, the trauma of an actual school shooting.  And while school shootings have largely fallen out of view, gun violence in America has mostly stayed the same, and even increased in some places, throughout the pandemic.

Just 20 miles away, in Newark for example, there were at least 16 shootings from July 16, 2020, to July 30, 2020, alone. Gun violence generally increases in the summer months, and 2020 was no exception. Every act of gun violence is a tragedy. Every shooting, whether you see it on the evening news or not, rips through the fabric of families and communities in irreparable ways. It is not enough to only care about gun violence when a community that looks like yours scrolls across your newsfeed or pops up on your morning news show as you get ready for your day. We must all understand the reality of gun violence in America and call upon our elected leaders to enact meaningful change that will undercut the epidemic that has afflicted us all since long before COVID19 took hold.

There are currently two bills before the US Senate that would close gaping loopholes in the background check system (HR 8 and HR 1446). Contacting Senators Menendez and Booker and urging them to support these bills is a good place to start. Then contact your state and local representatives and ask them what they are doing to keep New Jersey safer from gun violence. Background checks on all gun sales are just the tip of the iceberg. In order for the US to truly tackle its gun violence problem, we need to support local programs to reduce gun violence, like the Newark Community Street Team, a community-based violence reduction program that trains and deploys outreach workers and high-risk interventionists throughout the city. Local intervention programs, like the NCST, are among the most effective ways to reduce gun violence in communities. Without funding and other resources, they can’t do their work.  When you speak to Senators Menendez and Booker, ask them what they’re doing to ensure that the NCST remains adequately funded. And find out more about what intervention programs are working in or near your community, and urge your lawmakers to fund them. Right here in Parsippany, we can support programs like the Juvenile Accountability Leadership Program, which operates out of the Parsippany PAL building and provides at-risk youth with constructive ways to engage with their community.

Gun violence is a system and intersectional issue that has deep roots and immeasurable impacts on communities throughout the US. It is incumbent upon all of us to help make sure that everyone, everywhere can live safely, without the fear of being shot while going about their daily lives. Yesterday’s shooting in Colorado is a painful reminder of what is at stake. Mayor Soriano, Judy Hernandez, and I are all acutely aware of and thankful for what a safe town Parsippany is. We are fortunate enough to live in a state with strong gun safety laws, and in a town that takes enforcement of them very seriously. We are committed to working together with each other and with law enforcement to make sure that it stays that way.

Cori Herbig is the former Director of State Government Affairs at Everytown for Gun Safety. She is also a candidate for Parsippany Town Council.

 

Opinion: Parsippany Will Benefit From a Renewable Energy Aggregation Program

Focus contributor
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Opinion: Parsippany Will Benefit From a Renewable Energy Aggregation Program

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Green Team wants all residents to understand the Renewable Energy Aggregation program and its benefits so that they can make an educated decision when the township considers this.  We encourage all to read this article and express their views by completing our survey by clicking here.

Renewable Energy Aggregation (REA) is an official New Jersey program supported by law[1] and rules created by the NJ Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)[2] and is endorsed by Sustainable Jersey.[3] This program enables a municipality to aggregate (combine together) the electricity use of the entire community and solicits competitive bids from third[4] party electricity producers for electricity that is cleaner and less expensive than electricity we currently purchase from JCP&L.  It makes consumer access to increased renewable energy content effortless, safe, convenient, and affordable.

The key benefits of an REA program, often referred to as CCA (Community Choice Aggregation) are:

  • Reduces residents’ and businesses’ costs for electricity by utilizing the combined purchasing power of many customers and purchasing from low-cost third party providers;
  • Protects customers from price increases over the fixed contract period;
  • Reduces air pollution and associated risks of disease, increased health care costs, and premature death (200,000 deaths/year in the US from fossil fuel air pollution)[5];
  • Increases the portion of our electricity from clean renewable energy technologies such as wind and solar, automatically lowering our carbon footprints;
  • Increases residents’ and businesses’ choices and options for electricity purchase;
  • Removes the risks of misleading contract terms from third party providers;
  • Utilizes market forces, not government mandates, to increase the use of clean energy;
  • Provides the Parsippany Town Council and Administration with total control over the decision to accept any third party offers for electricity;
  • Requires no action from residents who wish to participate.

WHY IS PARSIPPANY CONSIDERING A RENEWABLE ENERGY AGGREGATION PROGRAM?

Burning fossil fuels creates two enormous problems – air pollution and climate change. In order to address these problems, we must increase our use of energy from renewable technologies such as solar, wind, and hydropower.  New Jersey and Parsippany suffer from both problems.  Consider the following facts:

  • New Jersey air is among the most polluted in the US;[6]
  • Morris County has been rated ‘F’ for ground-level ozone by the American Lung Association for years;[7]
  • Parsippany’s location and density make its air the worst in Morris County;
  • Municipal costs and effects of climate change include excessive heat, storm destruction, power outages, flood prevention[8]/stormwater utility costs, drought, lake algae, insect infestations, vector-borne diseases, increased insurance costs, increased public health costs, increased crime, and prevention costs (statistically shown that crime increases with temperature rise);
  • Consumer costs and effects of climate change include rising insurance costs (life, health property), health care costs, loss of income from sick days, increased crime, property devaluation, increased energy costs, and increased frequency/longer duration power outages.

REA IS A SAFE, PRACTICAL, COST-EFFECTIVE, RISK-FREE SOLUTION TO THESE PROBLEMS

Growing market demand for clean renewable energy is one of the most important strategies for developing a more sustainable approach to energy generation.  By law,[9] all New Jersey energy providers must source at least 21% of their electricity from renewable energy sources, which is what JCP&L offers today.  Third-party providers offer much higher renewable energy content, up to 100%.  When municipalities, such as Parsippany, aggregate their energy usage and ask for bids with high renewable energy content options they are communicating to the market that there is a strong preference for renewable-based energy.  As more communities take this step to purchase clean energy it encourages the production of more clean renewable electricity, drives out dirty fossil fuel-based electricity from the electric grid, and reduces air pollution and the impact of climate change across the region.

If 100% of Parsippany residents participated and all chose to use 100% renewable energy, this would reduce the total carbon footprint of all residents by 26% per the chart shown.  Considering that the total carbon footprint includes the use of gas for heating/cooking and gasoline for transportation, this would be an extremely significant reduction.

There are absolutely no risks to residents and businesses that participate in an REA program.

  • Parsippany aggregates its energy demand and asks third parties to provide bids through auctions held under the auspices of the NJBPU and PJM Interconnect (the organization that manages the power grid in NJ and many nearby states);
  • Contracts have fixed rates for their duration (maximum is 24 months) and cannot increase;
  • Contracts have no hidden fees or other charges;
  • Any REA customer issues are handled by a consultant hired by Parsippany;
  • The basic offer to residents must, by law, be below JCP&L rates;
  • Customers can easily opt-out at any time with no charge and no legal obligations;
  • All residents will have sufficient time to opt-out before the changeover takes place;
  • Third-party providers never see any customer names or records (Parsippany’s consultant handles all interactions with JCP&L);
  • There is no increased risk of blackouts from the use of renewable technologies. Electricity is provided from a network of utilities whose objective is to ensure all customers have sufficient electricity at all times.  (Local JCP&L distribution network integrity is not affected by this program);
  • Customers are alerted when new contracts start and old contracts are ending;
  • The Parsippany Town Council and Administration are under no obligation to accept any unsatisfactory bids. If there are no satisfactory bids JCP&L will continue to supply our electricity and the municipality may choose to wait until market conditions become more favorable before requesting another round of bids.

PROGRAM RULES

New Jersey law13 requires REA participation to be structured as an “opt-out” program for residential customers and as an “opt-in” program for commercial customers.  The “opt-out” approach makes participation very convenient.  Residential customers are automatically enrolled in the program unless they elect to “opt-out” of the program, or are already with a third-party supplier.  Residential customers are able to easily “opt-out” of the program at any time prior to or during the term of the contract without penalty via a variety of media (prepaid return mail, email, 800#, websites).  Commercial companies are also able to “opt-out” of the program at any time without penalty.  The “opt-out” approach is the only way to bring the significant benefits of such a program to residents.

POTENTIAL COST SAVINGS

Examples of cost savings other municipalities have achieved from their REA programs are:

  • Livingston offers residents 100% renewable electricity. Residents expect to see a total of $1.125 million in savings;
  • Maplewood, Montclair, Glen Ridge, Millburn, Verona, and South Orange formed the Sustainable Essex Alliance. In Maplewood, the 8,000 households enrolled will save $1M. Montclair residents expect to save $1.8M.
  • Glen Rock offers residents 100% renewable energy for less than the current PSE&G rate for the area.
  • Every town has continued its participation after its first contract expired.

The savings described above are significant but market conditions vary over time and savings in JCP&L areas are expected to be more modest than those in PSE&G territory.  Nevertheless, Parsippany’s program will always offer prices below JCP&L’s average annual rate.

Once approved, Parsippany will put out a bid for a consultant experienced with this program and the electricity market.  The consultant will prepare Parsippany’s offer on which third-party providers will bid.  The consultant is the only entity, other than the third party provider, who will receive compensation.  There will be no door-to-door salespeople or any other third-party salespeople involved.  There will be no commissions paid to anyone.

Municipalities do not pay energy consultants.  Their fees are included in the monthly electric bills paid by residents and businesses.  Even with this fee, the basic plan price for electricity under REA will still be less than the price charged by JCP&L.

BOTTOM LINE

Many of us are very aware of the threats from climate change and look for ways to reduce our carbon footprints.  We know this is not often easy or cost-free and takes some effort.  Convincing every resident to take such actions is virtually impossible.  By contrast, we can achieve the carbon footprint reductions described above and save money by doing absolutely nothing when asked if we want to “opt-out” to the REA program. It is hard to imagine a more elegant solution than this, to the problem of convincing each individual to take action on climate change.

NEXT STEPS

The first step needed to start the REA program is the enactment of an ordinance creating the REA entity by the Parsippany Town Council. The council will not act until it receives significant town support for the program, so it is crucial that residents provide their feedback by taking this short survey by clicking here.

Other actions that residents should take are:

  • Attend a presentation on the REA program. Information on the next session can be found by clicking here.
  • View a recent REA video presentation by clicking here.
  • Speak to neighbors and friends about the REA program
  • Contact members of the Town Council via email to express your view on the program by clicking here.
  • Express your views at Town Council meetings
  • Submit letters to Parsippany Focus & Patch
  • Invite the Parsippany Green Team to speak to your organization
  • Keep up with information on REA in Parsippany by clicking here.

If anyone has any questions or wishes to schedule a meeting to discuss the REA program in more detail please contact Ken Dolsky at kdolsky@optonline.net.

The REA program is supported by the Parsippany Green Team.  Its mission is to collaborate with our residents, town government, and business community to identify and implement programs that improve our quality of life and the physical, environmental and financial sustainability of our community.  Click here.

[1]https://www.sustainablejersey.com/fileadmin/media/Actions_and_Certification/Actions/Energy/NJ_legislation_authorizing_GEA_Law.pdf

[2] https://www.state.nj.us/bpu/pdf/energy/NJ_Gov_Energy_Aggregation_Summary.pdf

[3] https://www.sustainablejersey.com/actions/#open/action/517

[4] https://www.state.nj.us/bpu/pdf/energy/shopping_forms/energyagents.pdf

[5] https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerpielke/2020/03/10/every-day-10000-people-die-due-to-air-pollution-from-fossil-fuels/?sh=421b89e92b6a

[6] https://patch.com/new-jersey/montclair/n-j-has-among-nations-worst-air-american-lung-association-study-says

[7] https://www.stateoftheair.org/city-rankings/states/new-jersey/morris.html

[8] As of February 2021, Morris County has spent $9M purchasing flood prone private properties.  https://morriscountynj.gov/2021/02/morris-county-flood-mitigation-program-purchases-80th-property/

[9] New Jersey Clean Energy Act, https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2018/Bills/AL18/17_.PDF

13 R-GEA Guidebook, https://www.sustainablejersey.com/fileadmin/media/Actions_and_Certification/Actions/Energy/SJ_Guidebook_RGEA_V2.pdf

Friends of Parsippany Library Membership Drive

Frank L. Cahill
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Friends of Parsippany Library Membership Drive

PARSIPPANY —  The Friends of Parsippany Library is looking for new members! If you love books and value our library, you belong in the Friends.

All funds raised by the Friends support Adult, Children’s, and Teen Programs run by the Library, including the Summer Reading Program.

Additional information can be found on the Friends website by clicking here.

Parsippany High School Announces 2021 Hall of Fame Class

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany High School Announces 2021 Hall of Fame Class

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School will be inducting their 2021 Hall of Fame Class on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. on the Football Field. PHS would like to invite community members, alumni, parents, and students to celebrate with us at this year’s induction ceremony. If you know any of the inductees or classmates of theirs please reach out to them. Masks will be required and all social-distancing rules will be in effect.

This year’s class consists of four impressive inductees.

Jabari Jackson ‘10
Jabari graduated from Par High in 2010 and Rowan in 2014 before receiving his Masters at Grand Canyon University. He competed in Basketball and Track & Field at PHS and continued his running career at Rowan. Jabari possesses a love for community service and social activism and founded Respect My Life Foundation (RML) in 2018. Based out of New Jersey, the organization was created to use educational and extracurricular activities to foster positive change in our communities. RML focuses on enriching the minds of people to encourage them to live out their purpose. The foundation hosts event throughout the year to empower people to seek positive outlets to live their best life. This movement does not discriminate against anyone of a certain race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or occupation. Instead, it is a movement that encourages people to respect each other’s differences to allow us to live our lives with freedom. Jabari is a terrific speaker and an even better human being. He puts his words into action, working in the community (and often with PHS) to help others in need through PB&J Drives, Toy Drives, Food/Water Drives, Backpack Drives, Charity Walks, Mentoring, Coaching, etc… Jabari believes in positivity, equality, action, peace, and love. To this end, he organized the hugely successful and impactful Parsippany March for Black Lives in June 2020. The event, attended by approximately 3,000 people, was a peaceful protest that brought much-needed awareness to racial inequality.

Walter Blueler

Walter Blueler started working as a School Psychologist at Parsippany High School in 1980, and he began coaching Track and Field and Cross Country in 1988. As a School Psychologist, Walter was hands-on, passionate, and added a personal touch to his job. He worked closely with his Child Study counterparts to help families and students find success in school and beyond, making personal connections and thinking outside of the box to make a difference. As a coach, “Blueler” was beloved by his student-athletes and his fellow coaches. His big personality and bigger heart endeared him to everyone who encountered him. Needless to say, he had an amazing career as a coach and his teams and athletes earned many accolades and records. Boys and Girls Team Championships include 5 Conference Titles, 2 Morris County Titles, 3 State Sectional Titles, and 2 State Group Titles. He also coached many athletes to multiple individual honors including four Meet of Champion placers (2 MOC Champs) and two still-standing Morris County Records (4×200 Relay and 300m Dash). Blueler was also instrumental in helping his athletes get into impressive colleges and placed 20+ of them onto NCAA Track & Field teams. For his dedication and talent as a coach, he was named the 1999 NFICA Coach of the Year for Cross Country and the 2004 Star-Ledger and Daily Record Coach of the Year for Winter Track. His 2014 Team won an Outstanding Achievement Award from Parsippany Troy-Hills for winning the NJAC Conference. Blueler retired from education in 2014 and received the Lakeland Hills YMCA Educator of the Year Award.

James Jean ‘97

James Jean (PHS ‘97) is a Taiwanese American artist who was born in Taiwan and grew up in Parsippany. Though at a young age he dedicated himself to music, James would later develop an interest in art and go on to study illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. James has been a cover artist for DC Comics and Marvel Comics including titles such as Fables and Umbrella Academy, garnering seven Eisner awards, three consecutive Harvey awards, two gold medals and a silver from the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, and a gold medal from the Society of Illustrators of New York. He also worked in advertising and has contributed to many national and international publications. His clients included: Time Magazine, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Spin, ESPN, Atlantic Records, Target, and Prada. In 2006, he won Best Artist from the World Fantasy Awards. He also did the album art for musical artists My Chemical Romance, Talib Kweli, and Linkin Park. James also created film posters for the following successful films: mother! The Shape of Water, and Blade Runner 2049, working with famous directors Darren Aronofsky, Guillermo del Toro, and Denis Villeneuve. James Jean is a world-famous artist, known for his illustration, painting, and sculpture.

Richie Zisk ‘67

Richie Zisk attended Parsippany High School, where he was All-State in Baseball, All-County in Basketball, and he even played Soccer. He graduated from PHS in 1967, after winning a State Championship in 1965, moved onto Seton Hall University, and he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third round of the 1967 Major League Baseball Draft. In his major league debut, the 6’2” 208-pound righty replaced Roberto Clemente in right field in the 8th inning of a victory. “The Polish Prince” played 17 seasons as a professional, 13 in the Major Leagues (6 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3 with the Texas Rangers, 3 with the Seattle Mariners, and 1 with the Chicago White Sox). He made two post-season appearances, both with the Pirates, and he hit .400 over two series. His best season came in 1977 for the White Sox, when he batted .290 and hit 30 home runs, driving in 101 runs. He started in left field in the 1977 All-Star Game, going 2-3 with a double off Tom Seaver and 2 RBI. He made the All-Star Game again in 1978 for the Texas Rangers. In 1981, Zisk hit .311 to win the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award. He retired in 1983, finishing his MLB career with 1,453 games, 1,477 hits, .287/.353/.466, 207 HR, 792 RBI. After his playing days, Zisk earned a degree in communications and took a job in the Cubs organization in 1986. He worked as a roving instructor and scout, a hitting coach, and a manager for the Cubs High-A Daytona affiliate. He has been inducted into the Florida State League Hall of Fame and the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.

Assembly Advances DeCroce Bill Expanding age Discrimination Protections to Senior Workforce

Frank L. Cahill
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Assembly Advances DeCroce Bill Expanding age Discrimination Protections to Senior Workforce

PARSIPPANY — Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce’s bill expanding age discrimination protections for seniors 70 and older was unanimously advanced by the Assembly.

“Some seniors have to keep working because of New Jersey’s high cost of living, while others just find their careers very rewarding. Either way, their age shouldn’t hold them back,” said DeCroce (R-Morris). “Unfortunately, the current exceptions to the age discrimination protections on the books are discriminatory and hurt employees who want to stay in the workforce past age 70.”

Under DeCroce’s bill (A681), public employers would no longer be permitted to force public employees to retire at a certain age under a law that allows them to do so if they can show retirement age relates to the employment in question. Additionally, higher education institutions would not be allowed to require tenured employees to retire at 70 years old. Employers would also be prohibited from refusing to hire or promote a person solely because a person is over age 70.

“Current and potential employees should be evaluated on their skill sets, performance history, and credentials – not the date on their birth certificates,” said DeCroce.

According to AARP-NJ, workers 65 and older are the fastest-growing labor pool. Workers who are 50 and older will make up 35 percent of the workforce by 2022. The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey data shows more than 21 percent of adults in the state over 65 are currently working.

The bill does not make changes to the New Jersey Constitution, which includes mandatory retirement for Supreme Court justices and some other judges upon reaching age 70, and Police and Firemen’s Retirement System members.

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