The Morris County Department of Human Services reminds individuals who may be applying for assistance benefits that they can do so online atwww.mynjhelps.com and avoid a trip to the Office of Temporary Assistance on West Hanover Avenue in Morris Township.
According to Frank Pinto, director of the Human Services Department, the difficult economic climate has produced dramatic increases in people coming to the OTA offices to apply for such programs as General Assistance, Food Stamps, Medicaid and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
“These days, because of the volume of individuals applying for benefits, the lines in our Customer Service Area can be long,” Pinto said. “While we certainly will personally sit down and help anyone who comes in to our offices, we just want people to know that if they have computer access, applying online works in the same way as the in-person application.”
Pinto said once on the website, the applicant should simply follow the directions and answer the questions, which are available in both English and Spanish. Once an application is evaluated, the individual may be scheduled for a face-to-face or telephone interview, Pinto said.
He noted benefits are not issued sooner by applying in-person. Cases are processed and benefits are issued in the same amount of time, whether an application is made online or in-person, Pinto said. Applying online eliminates having to wait in what could be a long line at the OTA, he said.
The online application is available at anytime of the day or night, seven days a week, and is also ideal for those who have transportation, scheduling or medical issues.
Individuals with questions about the services offered by the Office of Temporary Assistance should visit the office’s website,morrishumanservices.org/ota or they can call the office at (973) 326-7800 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The Morris County Superior Court is sponsoring a Community Day Court Tour at the Morris County Courthouse on Friday, August 30 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Community Day’s theme is “The Judiciary’s Role in the Community.”
Court officials will meet and greet the public and provide overviews of the Criminal, Civil, Family and Special Civil divisions of the judicial system, as well as the Ombudsman and Trial Court Administration offices.
Observing a court hearing and an overview of the Sheriff’s Office will also be included.
Seating is limited, so anyone interested in attending the Community Day Court Tour should register as soon as possible by calling the Morris County Court’s Ombudsman’s Office at (973) 656-3997 or by e-mailing MRSOmbudsman.mailbox@judiciary.state.nj.us.
The Community Day program will take place in Room 555 of the Morris County Administration and Records Building, 10 Court Street, Morristown.
Morris County’s Youth Public Safety Academy this summer graduated 36 high school students from across the county who spent the week of August 5 in a training program that exposed them to careers in public safety and public service.
The academy’s challenging, hands-on curriculum included fire department, SWAT/SERT Team and K-9/Bomb Unit demonstrations; an overview of Emergency Medical Services training; crime scene investigations; and physical training in a format similar to what actual police, fire and EMS academy cadets experience.
The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders sponsored the free academy along with the county’s Department of Law and Public Safety to build interest in public service and public safety professions.
The students who graduated from the Youth Public Safety Academy were Sujay Busarajan and Parth Vachhani of Parsippany; Melissa Begon of Lake Hiawatha; Jack Alenucewicz of Mendham; Amethyst Aragon, Alejandra Arias, Marilyn Mayorga and Evan Little of Dover; Ebony Ashford of Rockaway Township; Sharone Brown of Andover; Vanessa Cabrera, Jake Tappen and Luke Mayer of Morristown; and Nicole Clarke and Brian McCormick of Wharton.
Also graduating were Marco Collemi of Montville; Danielle Crosson of Hopatcong; Anthony D’Amico of Rockaway Borough; Rebecca Dimichino of Roxbury; Shawn Doriety, Meghan Reilly, Jessica Rodiles, Daniel Palazzo and Zachary Palmer of Boonton; John Galluzzi and Matthew Reese of Boonton Township.
The graduates also included Kristine Gurcan of Hanover Township; David Jones of East Hanover; David Pera of Mount Olive; Mark Richards of Mountain Lakes; Daniel Rios of Randolph; Dylan Roos and Madison Roos of Chatham; Shane Stone of Denville; Daniel Swerzenski of Jefferson Township; and Parth Yadav of Morris Plains.
The Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders invites the public to join them in observing the 12th anniversary of 9/11 at a Remembrance Service and Candlelight Vigil on Sunday, September 8.
The ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Morris County September 11th Memorial on West Hanover Avenue, Parsippany-Troy Hills, across from Morris View Healthcare Center.
The observance will include the reading aloud of the names of each of the Morris County victims and keynote remarks from Edward Dickson, Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
The county’s September 11th Memorial pays tribute to all of those who died in the terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C., on September 11, 2001, with a special emphasis on the 64 victims from Morris County whose names are etched in plaques that are affixed to the Memorial.
The names of all of the nearly 3,000 people who died that day are engraved in ruby-colored paving stones that have been set in the ground as a walkway surrounding the Memorial.
“As a community, we must continue to gather each year to remember the husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, friends and neighbors who were so tragically lost that day,” said Freeholder Director Tom Mastrangelo. “We must continue to come together each year to make sure those who were left behind know that the lives of their loved ones will not be forgotten.”
Since seating at the Memorial is limited, the public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs to the outdoor observance. Parking will be available at the Morris County Department of Human Services building at 340 West Hanover Avenue, in Morris Township. Shuttle buses will be available to transport those in need to the Memorial.
The freeholders also invite police and fire departments and rescue squads from across the county to participate by sending one apparatus per department and assembling at 6:00 p.m. at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy, 500 West Hanover Avenue. From there, a procession will be held to the September 11th Memorial.
For more information, please call the county government’s public information office at (973) 631-5139 or (973) 285-6015.
NAI James E. Hanson, a leading New Jersey-based commercial real estate firm announced that Reverse Mortgage Co. of America has become a new tenant at the recently renovated Boulevard Commons office complex, located at 1140-1160 Parsippany Boulevard.
Reverse Mortgage provides lending services to a wide variety of borrowers looking to finance primary, secondary or investment property residences. The company leased half of the entire first floor of the 1140 building.
Hanson’s leasing team of Josh Levering, Michael Walters and Nick Herrick represented the property’s landlord, the Hampshire Companies (dba HGF Parsippany Boulevard, LLC). Hampshire is a privately held, fully integrated real estate firm with over 50 years of hands-on experience in acquiring, developing, managing, financing and disposing of real estate.
“Boulevard Commons is a twin-building office complex that features 45,596 square feet of space,” Levering sad. “The buildings provide excellent leasing opportunities to small and mid-size firms. Our current space available ranges from 1,450 to 9,900 square feet. For a larger tenant, we have reserved building signage, which is still available. This is a unique property that allows both small and mid-sized tenants to have a significant presence in a premier office asset.”
Levering added that the property is currently undergoing major renovations including a modernization of the first-floor vestibule entrances, bathrooms, all common interiors and lobby areas.
“Extraordinary parking is available for high occupancy tenants and the site is immediately accessible to major roadways such as Routes 10, 46, 80, 202, and 287,” he said.
NAI James E. Hanson, a leading New Jersey-based commercial real estate firm announced the sale of a former daycare center at 920 Edwards Road.
The 5,031-square-foot office building is located on a 1.03-acre lot. A NAI Hanson team consisting of Executive Managing Director of Corporate Services Michael G. Walters, SIOR, and Senior Vice President John J. Schilp represented the seller, ClockWork Parsippany and the buyer, The Church in Nutley.
Originally constructed in 1979, the building has eight classrooms, kitchen facilities, gymnasium space, executive offices, an outdoor playground, a pool and 20 parking spaces. The property offers easy access to Interstates 80 and 280 and Route 46. The Church in Nutley, a non-denominational congregation, will use the facility as a bible study school and church community center.
“The for-sale market in Morris County has experienced a remarkable rebound in recent months,” Walters stated. “This transaction, which was a strategic Investment” for the church, demonstrates that well-located office properties are increasingly attractive to buyers.”
The Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library, 449 Halsey Road, will make some ground breaking moves and rock the library with ZUMBA! Classes will take place on Tuesday mornings or afternoons for eight weeks at $5,00 per class. Participants will pay for each class separately. Please see the schedule below and read it carefully. Dates and times of classes may vary. Registration is limited to 60 participants and required. Please contact Corinne Markey at (973) 887-5150 ext. 215 to sign up today!
The classes will take place on the following dates:
Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that John J. Montefusco, Sr., 72, of Parsippany, pled guilty today to the Unlawful Practice of Law.
In pleading guilty, the defendant admitted to meeting with a client who was facing criminal charges in Sussex County and accepted money as a retainer for legal services between December 2012 and April 24, 2013. Defendant had been disbarred by consent by the Supreme Court of New Jersey in June of 2009 as a result of a prosecution by the United States Attorney.
Under the terms of this plea agreement to the Third Degree charge, the State will recommend that the defendant be sentenced to probation and 180 days in the Morris County Correctional Facility.
Supervising Assistant Prosecutor/SDAG Robert Weber represented the State in the plea agreement.
The Honorable Mary Gibbons Whipple, J.S.C. presided over the plea. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on October 4, 2013 before the Honorable Stuart A. Minkowitz, P.J.Cr.
The defendant previously pled guilty on February 13, 2008 to Mail Fraud in Federal Court for actions he had taken as the Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board Attorney. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he admitted “that he gave his official assistance to a developer in return for benefits to him and his family that included discounted purchase prices on houses that allowed the family members to quickly resell the properties at substantial profit.”
Acting Prosecutor Knapp thanks the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Hopatcong Police Department, the Roxbury Police Department, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Unit who assisted in the investigation and resolution of this matter.
Judge Weisenbeck dismissed the lawsuit filed in Superior Court against Dr. Louis Valori, Robert Peluso, Municipal Clerk of Township of Parsippany and Morris County Superintendent of Elections and Morris County Board of Elections.
Dr. Louis Valori and Robert Peluso remain the winners of the Republican primary held on Tuesday, June 4. Now they can proceed their campaigns for the November election against, Independent Robert Crawford and Democrats Robert Keller and Mihir Oza.
Valori did not attend today’s court session. Robert Peluso and his wife, Ildiko, along with Robert, Jr. did attend the court session. Neither did James Vigilante. Strumolo still has not been able to serve James Vigilante with a subpoena.
When reached Valori by phone from Florida, he stated “The DeCotiis, FitzPatrick & Cole law firm did a wonderful job at defending our election. Judge Weisenbeck along with the Attorney Generals Office stated that they found no voter fraud or intimidation. The allegations that were made against our team were all totally factious. Our team will continue to run our campaign in a positive manner and look forward in serving all of the residents of Parsippany.”
“Jimmy Vigilante’s campaign was separate from our campaign,” he added. “His campaign had nothing to do with our campaign,” said Valori.
Peluso stated “We live in a government OF, BY, and FOR the People. The primary election was originally certified by Morris County and our Republican Chairman and again is confirmed through the courts. The voters have spoken and they want new energy and ideas to create a better Parsippany in this down economy. Real leadership accepts an outcome and true Republicans support-winning candidates. Mr. Valori and I expect Mr. Ferrara and Mr. Strumolo to show humility and to publicly ask the voters to support us for Council in the spirit of good citizenship.”
He continues “In a democracy, leadership and issues matter more. My running mate, Mr. Valori and I love Parsippany and we’ve had the greater privilege of volunteering and providing leadership within our community.”
Peluso continued “Lets get back to the election process and focus on the issues: We are in a down economy, businesses are leaving Parsippany, and we need to focus on economic development and job creation; Residents, businesses, and non-profits must come together to reduce taxes and make the necessary cuts within our budget and we need to create a safer community for all of our residents. We are seeing an increase in burglaries and drug abuse amongst our children. In the spirit of service and sacrifice, we are determined to continue our work in helping our community as Parsippany’s next councilmen.”
Timothy Howes, attorney for Ferrara, left and Michael Strumolo during the first day of the trial in Morristown
Strumolo and Ferrara have been trying to prove to the Morris County Superior Court that fraudulent votes marred the primary. The trial started August 1.
A number of Parsippany voters have been subpoenaed to determine if their mail-in ballots were handled properly and will be counted in the primary.
In addition a number of ballot messengers and bearers were subpoenaed and questioned as to the handling of the ballots.
Among those subpoenaed were Brenda Barberio, wife of Mayor James Barberio, Angela Barberio, daughter of Mayor James Barberio, Christina Deleasa, the Mayor’s intern who is working in the Office of the Mayor, all who had worked at the campaign office of Barberio, Ferrara and Shah, located at 1279 Route 46, near Empire Diner. Strumolo was questioning the way they handled mail-in ballots.
Also Michele Jennrich, Carole Tiese, Jordan Valori and Susan Scafuri worked on the campaign of James Vigilante, a candidate for Morris County Clerk. Vigilante’s campaign office is located on Littleton Road in a separate office that is attached to his home.
Peluso received 2,095 votes raking in the most votes, just ahead of Valori with 1,805. The pair shared a ticket with Councilman Paul Carifi, who was running against incumbent Mayor James Barberio.
Ferrara with 1,738 finished third and Milin Shah ended with 1,639 votes in last place. Ferrara and Shah were running mates with Mayor James Barberio.
Strumolo came in with a total of 1,728 votes.
Of the Republican mayoral nominations, Barberio received 2,507 votes or 89 more than Carifi.
James Vigilante
According to Presiding Judge Thomas Weisenbeck, “Ferrara requested a voluntary dismissal.” Ferrara dropped out of the lawsuit Thursday, August 8.
Attempts to serve Vigilante a subpoena over the past few weeks have been unsuccessful, said Attorney Brian Aloia. Aloia tried to postpone the trial again on August 22 and attempted to get help from the Court to have Vigilante appear, but the Court denied the request and started the trial.
“I’m not deaf to your plight and your client’s plight in terms of locating Mr. Vigilante,” Weisenbeck said to Strumolo’s attorney, Brian Aloia. “Based on the testimony, there is significant cause for concern about Mr. Vigilante’s conduct but that conduct did not impact a significant amount of ballots enough to change the vote.”
“There is nothing Mr. Vigilante can say on that stand that would change the outcome of this case,” said Daniel Zwillenberg, attorney for Peluso and Valori.
It was implied in Court that Vigilante has been hiding. But according to reliable sources, Vigilante hasn’t been hiding.
In a statement from Vigilante “Over the last three weeks I have been home running my business; I’ve visited the Municipal Building on various occasions taking care of permits with the Building Dept., paid my third quarter taxes and I even had a conversation with the mayor’s confidential aid. I have eaten in local restaurants. I attended my required Air Force Reserve weekends (planned a year in advance). I just finished a 1,200 mile motorcycle ride (again, planned a year in advance) for America’s 9/11 Memorial Ride to raise monies for the children of First Responders affected by the horrific events of September 11 and I am currently on orders with the USAF Reserves.”
After the hearing, Strumolo left the court room abruptly.
Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Parsippany Troy-Hills Chief of Police Paul Phillips announce the investigation of a shooting incident which occurred earlier today in a residence at 17 Trojan Avenue.
The investigation is ongoing and the police are not seeking any unknown third parties at this time.
As of 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening, there was still a Parsippany Police Officer and members from the Morris County Prosecutors Office on the scene, as well as crime scene tape at the property lines. This was all removed before 10:00 p.m. Thursday evening. No movement has taken place at the time this photo was taken on Friday morning.
According to a neighor, who asked to remain anonymous, stated that approximately 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning, a female resident shot her husband in the head.
Anyone with information regarding this matter should contact the Parsippany Troy Hills Police Department at (973) 263-4300 or the Morris County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (973) 285-2900 or (973) 285-6200.
I, Jim Vigilante, former Parsippany-Troy Hills Council President attacked in court and media by Mike Strumolo and his attorney for absentee ballot fraud.
I am a nine time decorated Air Force Veteran and current Air Force Reservist and former Parsippany Council President responds to the accusations that I am hiding from appearing in court to respond to the accusations that I committed voter fraud.
First and foremost: I DID NOT commit voter fraud and I have not been subpoenaed. It is very unfortunate for the residents of Parsippany that we have an individual, Mr. Strumolo, who will at any cost in his unquenchable thirst for political power, alienate the voting process and the good residents of our Asian community.
He has accused me of using my military status to hide from being subpoenaed. Over the last three weeks I have been home running my business; I’ve visited the Municipal Building on various occasions taking care of permits with the Building Dept., paid my third Quarter Taxes and I even had a conversation with the mayor’s confidential aid. I have eaten in local restaurants. I attended my required Air Force Reserve weekends (planned a year in advance). I just finished a 1,200 mile motorcycle ride (again, planned a year in advance) for America’s 9/11 Memorial Ride to raise monies for the children of First Responders affected by the horrific events of September 11 and I am currently on orders with the USAF Reserves.
So instead of accusing me of avoiding Mr. Stumolos subpoena by serving my country, and attempting to illegally serve my family members and terrorizing my mother, maybe Mr. Strumolo and his legal team should find a better service company.
I love public service and it has always been a part of my life. Weather serving my country as an Air Force First Sergeant or as an elected official, I truly enjoy it despite the character assassination from an individual that has no character or integrity and simply put; a “despicable individual”. In the military we use phrases like “Integrity”, “Service before Self” and “Excellence in all that we do”. Maybe Mr. Strumolo should attempt to know and understand those phrases; maybe it could make him a better individual.
The bright side is now that this frivolous court case is over the will of the Parsippany Voters will be upheld and we can move forward with the Republican Candidates for Council and Mr. Strumolo will not be and elected official or a school board member anymore.
Notes on Jim Vigilante: Vigilante has served his country and served on the Parsippany Township Council for 12 years. The 9 time decorated U.S. Air Force Reserves veteran recently completed a tour of duty in Kandahar, Afghanistan. During his time in Afghanistan, Vigilante was responsible for leading a large team in day to day operations at the Kandahar Airport.
Mayor James R. Barberio is pleased to announce that Joseph A. Kovalcik, Jr. has been appointed as the Director of Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Comptroller for the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, Morris County’s largest municipality.
Mr. Kovalcik has worked for the County of Morris since October 2000, and has served as the Assistant County Treasurer since January 2003. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer for the Boroughs of Mount Arlington and Stanhope.
He is also an adjunct instructor for the Rutgers Center for Government Services, teaching courses in the Financial Management Program.
A graduate of Montclair State University, Mr. Kovalcik is a Certified Municipal Finance Officer and Certified County Finance Officer. He serves on the Executive Board of the Government Finance Officers Association of New Jersey (GFOA) and is a Member of the Board of Examiners for the state-administered Certified Municipal Finance Officer Exam.
Mr. Kovalcik received stellar references from many County and local elected and appointed officials and finance professionals. He replaces Ruby Malcolm, who served the Township of Parsippany more than 29 years.
Mr. Kovalcik is a lifelong resident of Roxbury and a die-hard Yankees fan.
Bennett Muraskin of Parsippany will lead the high holiday observances of the Jewish Cultural School & Society, the only secular humanistic Jewish congregation serving our area. Muraskin, chair of the Adult Education Committee, is a recognized author and speaker about Jewish history and culture.
JCSS will celebrate Erev Rosh Hashanah, Wednesday, September 4, 7:00 p.m., and Erev Yom Kippur, Friday, September 13, 8:00 to 9:00 p.m., in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 67 Park Street, Montclair. Attendees are encouraged to bring a dessert to share following the Rosh Hashanah program. Both programs of song and readings are suitable for adults and children who can sit still for the hour-long events. Small donations will be welcome to defray the expense of site rental.
The JCSS Sunday Children’s Education program will begin on Sept.15 and features classes in history, literature, conversational Hebrew and cultural arts. The program culminates in a Graduation/ B’nai Mitzvah in Grades 7-8. Classes are held, 9:30 am-noon, in rented space in the Early Childhood Center, JCCMetroWest, 760 Northfield Avenue, West Orange (enter from rear parking).
New families with children in Grades 2-7 are encouraged to come on the 15th to meet teachers and members and to see curriculum and holiday materials.
Did the Union representatives that were at the Township Council meeting yesterday, realize how anti union the CEO of Whole Foods is??
Do they really want to build a Store that is anti-union?
Did they realize that Target even has a video for new employees that is all about ANTI-UNIONS. I think that they need to do research on the companies they are planning to build if this goes through. I for one am a Union Member .
I have been part of a Union as a college professor and I know on how both of these companies think about Unions.
So maybe we can “send ” to the leaders of this Union some of the articles and videos that are out there on both Target and Whole Foods?
Does anyone have a name of their Union reps if so I would be happy to enlighten them.
The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council approved a controversial rezoning ordinance, known as Ordinance No. 2013:28, on first reading with over 500 members of the community, both for and against the Waterview project, during Tuesday’s meeting. The ordinance, which creates an overlay zone for a 26.6 acre tract of land in the Waterview complex was passed on first reading in a 3-1 vote after a two and a half hour meeting with applause, shouting, cheers, hisses and boos from both sides of the issue. Click here to download a copy of the ordinance.
Councilman Carifi voted against the project saying “I have stated that all along we should be filling our retail and offices spaces that we have and we need to refurbish, reconstruct what we have which would in turn bring work for union workers. That being said, like I stated from the very beginning I feel that the impact on the quality of life to the residents of Parsippany far outweighs the positives for this project and I vote no.”
Councilman Nelson and Councilman Stanton seemingly hesitantly supported it citing their need for more information, data, and reports. Councilman DePierro supported it. Councilman Ferrara was absent and the Mayor did not speak much about the project itself other than to say 400 jobs will be created. Council President Brian Stanton promised the public that copies of all the data will be published on the Township’s website, www.parsippany.net, prior to the September 17 meeting.
The next step, according to Township Attorney John Inglesino, is for the proposal to be reviewed by the Planning Board for a decision on whether or not it is consistent with Parsippany’s master plan. The Planning Board has a workshop meeting on Monday, September 9 at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard.
The the ordinance would then be sent back to the council on Tuesday, September 17 for a presentation by Township Planner Edward Snieckus and Township Engineer Gordon Meth on traffic issues and fiscal impact. The public will have an opportunity to comment before the Township Council makes a final vote. This meeting is scheduled to be held at Parsippany Hills High School at 7:30 p.m.
Citizens for Health, Safety & Welfare is the non-profit organization spearheading the opposition of the project, a group comprised of Mountain Lakes residents, Parsippany residents, and concerned individuals from neighboring towns. The group’s trustees estimate that 500 or more households have come together to support the cause. The citizens group is a New Jersey non-profit organization with three trustees, a 9-person board of directors (president, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer), with no official “membership.”
The revised ordinance will permit rezoning of that tract of land in the Waterview Complex. The proposed project would include a 40,000-square-foot supermarket, likely Whole Foods, and a 137,000-square-foot “big box” department store (originally rumored to be Target). For the residential portion of the project, the developer is seeking to build a neighborhood of townhouses—first 72 units, but then reduced to 65. The ordinance will allow the construction of parking lots for more than 1,100 cars and increase the amount of allowable impermeable surface from 45 percent (what the current POD zoning allows) to 75 percent.
By covering the area with asphalt and sidewalk, rather than keeping the trees, plants and soil that soak up rain water for the aquifer, water is prevented from being absorbed and has to flow somewhere else—along with all of the possible pollutants from cars, people and buildings.
The proposed plans submitted to the Planning Board in October, 2012.
Also at stake in this project is quality of life and property values for local residents. Part of RD Realty’s plan is to create two more lanes on both eastbound and westbound sides of Route 46 to accommodate increased traffic and potentially channel surplus traffic onto Route 202, a proposed access road to Intervale Road, and Boulevard in Mountain Lakes.
The Waterview Rezoning Proposal had its first hearing before the Parsippany Planning Board in October, 2012. Very few attended since it was not well-understood or publicized. At the next meeting in December, enough residents showed up (roughly 180) to shut down the meeting since the council chambers was filled over its capacity. The word started to get out about Waterview in time for the next meeting that was rescheduled at the Parsippany High School. Roughly 600 angry residents showed up for that meeting. By late December 2012, a small, loosely knit group of concerned citizens had banded together to create “Don’t Rezone Waterview” (ultimately renamed C4HSW).
In February 2013, the Planning Board made its recommendation to the Parsippany Council in favor of rezoning Waterview. The remaining 26.6 acre Waterview property is currently zoned POD (Planned Office Development) for office buildings only.
The Planning Board followed the developer’s recommendation that the property be rezoned to include zoning for mixed residential and commercial. By February 2013, C4HSW had organized sufficiently to hire an attorney and one expert to represent the interests of the hundreds of residents who had shown up to these meetings and were denied to opportunity to present any evidence in opposition to the developer’s case.
Officer Jeffrey Papienuk responded to two residences located on Daffrack Drive at 1:57 p.m. on Friday, August 16 to investigate reports of bicycles that had been stolen.
The residents stated that three bicycles with a total value of $340.00 had been stolen from the front of their homes between Thursday, August 15 at 7:00 p.m. and Friday, August 16 at 7:00 p.m.
Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact the Parsippany Police Department at (973) 263-4300 or email us at Crime_Tips@parpolice.com.
Officers Robert Appel and David Roman investigated a report of two male juveniles at 6:16 p.m. on Sunday, August 18 riding light colored mountain bikes selling pills in Volunteers Park.
Officer Appel saw two individuals fitting this description on bicycles riding through the parking area of the Foodtown on North Beverwyck Road coming from the direction of the park.
After speaking with the juveniles and a brief investigation, the two male juveniles, both 15 years old (both from Montville) were taken into custody and transported to Parsippany Police Headquarters where they were later picked up by their parents. Det. Robert Lenahan is still investigating the incident. No charges were filed at the time the report was completed.
The juveniles were in possession of a 7 and ¾ inch folding knife, a razor knife, a stun gun and 22 small white pills that were placed into evidence.
Officers Ronald Carrozzino and Jeffrey Magahan responded at 11:50 p.m. on Saturday, August 17 to a residence located on Leah Way to investigate a report of a burglary.
Upon the arrival of the officers, they spoke to the residents who stated that they left the home at approx. 4:00 p.m. and returned at approx. 11:00 p.m. When they arrived home, they noticed that their bedrooms had been gone through and a jewelry box along with approx. $14,000.00 in cash were reported stolen from the residence.
The Morris County Sheriff’s Department’s Criminal Investigative Division processed the scene as Det. Joseph Puso arrived to take over the investigation.
It is believed that the burglar entered the home through a bathroom window. At the time the report was filed, a value of the missing jewelry was not available.
River Drive
Officer David Roman was dispatched to a River Drive residence at 7:16 p.m. on Monday, August 19 to investigate a report of a burglary that had occurred at the residence. When the officer arrived, he spoke to the homeowner who stated that on August 18 she was out of the home for approximately four hours. When she returned, she found that items that were normally located in her jewelry box were found strewn around the bedroom. Officer Roman noted pry marks outside of the bedroom window. It is believe that this may have been the point of entry. The value of any jewelry that was stolen was not available at the time that this report was filed. The Morris County Sheriff’s Department responded and processed the scene for evidence.
Anyone with information regarding these incidents should contact the Parsippany Police Department at (973) 263-4300 or email Crime_Tips@parpolice.com.
These signs are posted on the corner of Forest Drive and Intervale Road
The first reading of the revised ordinance for the proposed site of the Waterview project will be on the agenda, Tuesday, August 20 during the Parsippany-Troy Hills Council meeting. The meeting will be held at Parsippany Hills High School, 20 Rita Drive, at 7:30 p.m. The location was changed due to the overwhelming opposition this project is receiving. If the ordinance is passed on first reading, it will be sent back to the Planning Board for additional discussion before the Township Council considers the final version most likely during their October meeting.
Citizens for Health, Safety & Welfare is the non-profit organization spearheading the opposition of the project, a group comprised of Mountain Lakes residents, Parsippany residents, and concerned individuals from neighboring towns. The group’s trustees estimate that 500 or more households have come together to support the cause. The citizens group is a New Jersey non-profit organization with three trustees, a 9-person board of directors (president, vice presidents, secretary, treasurer), with no official “membership.”
The revised ordinance will permit rezoning of that tract of land in the Waterview Complex. The proposed project would include a 40,000-square-foot supermarket, likely Whole Foods, and a 137,000-square-foot “big box” department store (originally rumored to be Target). For the residential portion of the project, the developer is seeking to build a neighborhood of townhouses—first 72 units, but then reduced to 65. The ordinance will allow the construction of parking lots for more than 1,100 cars and increase the amount of allowable impermeable surface from 45 percent (what the current POD zoning allows) to 75 percent.
By covering the area with asphalt and sidewalk, rather than keeping the trees, plants and soil that soak up rain water for the aquifer, water is prevented from being absorbed and has to flow somewhere else—along with all of the possible pollutants from cars, people and buildings.
The proposed plans submitted to the Planning Board in October, 2012.
Also at stake in this project is quality of life and property values for local residents. Part of RD Realty’s plan is to create two more lanes on both eastbound and westbound sides of Route 46 to accommodate increased traffic and potentially channel surplus traffic onto Route 202, a proposed access road to Intervale Road, and Boulevard in Mountain Lakes.
The Waterview Rezoning Proposal had its first hearing before the Parsippany Planning Board in October, 2012. Very few attended since it was not well-understood or publicized. At the next meeting in December, enough residents showed up (roughly 180) to shut down the meeting since the council chambers was filled over its capacity. The word started to get out about Waterview in time for the next meeting that was rescheduled at the Parsippany High School. Roughly 600 angry residents showed up for that meeting. By late December 2012, a small, loosely knit group of concerned citizens had banded together to create “Don’t Rezone Waterview” (ultimately renamed C4HSW).
In February 2013, the Planning Board made its recommendation to the Parsippany Council in favor of rezoning Waterview. The remaining 26.6 acre Waterview property is currently zoned POD (Planned Office Development) for office buildings only.
The Planning Board followed the developer’s recommendation that the property be rezoned to include zoning for mixed residential and commercial. By February 2013, C4HSW had organized sufficiently to hire an attorney and one expert to represent the interests of the hundreds of residents who had shown up to these meetings and were denied to opportunity to present any evidence in opposition to the developer’s case.
The recommendation to rezone Waterview was then sent to the Council, where it currently awaits a decision. At the Council meeting on March 19, the Parsippany Planner presented his version of the Ordinance to Rezone Waterview. This version included an entrance onto Intervale Road which had been voluntarily removed in the Planning Board stage by the developer. The township council tabled the ordinance, and will be re-presented at this meeting.
