Five Arrested After Fleeing From Stolen Porsche

Frank L. Cahill
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Five Arrested After Fleeing From Stolen Porsche

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph K. Kimker, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, Montville Township Police Chief Andrew Caggiano, and Boonton Police Department Officer in Charge Christian Trowbridge, announce the arrests of five individuals after fleeing from a stolen high end motor vehicle that became disabled while eluding police.

At approximately 5:43 a.m., on Friday, September 9, the Montville Township Police Department received calls from residents in the area of Quarry Mountain Road and Turkey Hill Road regarding a suspicious Porsche Cayenne whose occupants were attempting to steal vehicles from driveways.

Officers were able to locate the Porsche traveling at a high rate of speed on Taylortown Road. As the responding Officers activated their emergency lights and sirens, the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed and entered onto Interstate 287 south. The Porsche, stolen from Bergen County, became disabled on I-287 and five suspects fled on foot from the vehicle.

The Montville Township Police Department and Officers from the Boonton Police Department began to search the area for the suspects. The search was conducted by the Montville Township Police Department, Boonton Police Department, Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Jersey State Police. The search last until approximately 1:00 p.m.

As a result of law enforcement efforts and investigation, the following were apprehended and arrested:

Shuron D. Solomon, 24, of Newark
Marquis Nickels, 28, of Irvington
Sergio Furtado, 20, of Newark
Dandre McFadden, 24, Newark
Brandon O. Juddmoore, 20, Newark

All five defendants were charged with the below crimes by complaint warrant and lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility in accordance with Bail Reform:

  • Theft by Knowingly Receiving Moveable Property (stolen motor vehicle) in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-7A, a crime of the third degree.
  • Unlawful taking of means of conveyance (joyriding / motor vehicle), in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-10D, a crime of the fourth degree.
  • Conspiracy to commit burglary, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2A(1), a crime of the third degree.
  • Resisting Arrest by Flight, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29:2A(2), a crime of the fourth degree.
New Jersey State Police Helicopters flying over the area

Chief Caggiano stated, “The tremendous effort by all these police officers led to the apprehension of all five suspects. The cooperation between all the agencies made this possible. These officers put their lives on the line today to protect the residents of New Jersey.”

Sheriff Gannon stated, “The Morris County Chiefs of Police, led by President Chief Jeffrey Almer, Chief Andrew Caggiano, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll and I have been meeting frequently lately to plan how to better battle this crime scourge. Today, we put some of our plans into action and the result was successful. We’ll keep up the communication, strategy, and teamwork. Our neighbors are nervous and we want to keep them safe!”

Prosecutor Carroll commends all of the law enforcement officers involved in this response for acting quickly, safely and professionally. He stated this repetitive crime is the subject of intensive study and action by local, county and state law enforcement, the judiciary and governmental officials at all levels. All efforts are being made to identify patterns of criminal conspiracies to interdict these crimes and bring those subjects who lead and collude, especially with juveniles, to justice. We do need the public to also do their part and lock and secure their vehicles”

Editor’s Note: An arrest or signing 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.

Morris County Sheriff’s Office to host a Citizen Police Academy

Frank L. Cahill
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Morris County Sheriff’s Office to host a Citizen Police Academy

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Police Academy is free and participants will be chosen on a first come, first serve basis after completing all necessary paperwork, with a maximum enrollment of twenty (20) participants. The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Police Academy will be on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. starting October 4, 2022 and ending on October 20, 2022.

Applicants must:

  •  Be at least 21 years of age,
  •  Residents of Morris County,
  •  Submit a fully completed application, and
  •  Must pass a background investigation process.

The purpose of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Police Academy is to give the public a working knowledge and understanding of the operations of our agency and of law enforcement in general. Some topics of instruction will include organizational structure, use of force, drug trends and police response, arrest, search and seizure, motor vehicle stops and officer safety. It is our intention that the graduates of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Citizen Police Academy will gain an awareness and appreciation of the services we provide. We also hope to collectively create an even stronger partnership between the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and the community we serve which, in turn, will allow our graduates to become advocates for the law enforcement community as a whole.

For more information, click here to download the application.

The Women’s Center at CCM Receives $150,000 Grant

Frank L. Cahill
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The Women’s Center at CCM Receives $150,000 Grant

MORRIS COUNTY — Having helped thousands of women to gain economic self-sufficiency and fulfilling lives, The Women’s Center at County College of Morris (CCM) recently received a $150,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and Division on Women continuing their support of the center’s mission.

“The Women’s Center offers a full range of comprehensive services to support displaced homemakers with achieving financial independence,” says Director Shannon Lengares. “We do this through goal setting, career counseling, educational and training scholarships, computer skill building, resume and cover letter writing, workshops including financial management, job search strategies, interview preparation and more.”

The center also offers a Job Club Speaker Series, Job Seekers Support Group and connections to community resources. In addition, it offers a legal program that consists of free 30-minute legal consultations with family law attorneys and a divorce workshop series that is offered twice a year. While most of its clients are women, the center’s services also are available to men who meet the displaced homemaker criteri.

Displaced homemakers are individuals who have managed their homes for several years while being financially supported by a spouse, partner or family member and due to divorce, separation, death or disability then find themselves needing to serve as the primary source of household income. In many cases, displaced homemakers are underemployed and unable to financially support themselves or their families. Others may have difficulty obtaining employment due to a gap in work history.

The Women’s Center has been a part of CCM for over 30 years. In the 1970s, when the national divorce rate rose rapidly, many women who had worked primarily in their home, raising a family, suddenly faced the daunting task of obtaining or updating skills and reentering the workforce. In 1979, the New Jersey Displaced Homemakers Act was signed into law by then Governor Brendan Byrne. The act did not appropriate funding but mandated that action be taken to address the issue of displaced homemakers. In 1982, the Vocational Division of the New Jersey Department of Education appropriated startup funds for six displaced homemakers’ centers. Today such centers are found across the state.

If you know someone who could use the services offered through The Women’s Center at CCM or to learn more about the program by clicking here.

Stolen Car Chase Leads Police on Massive Manhunt

Frank L. Cahill
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Stolen Car Chase Leads Police on Massive Manhunt

MORRIS COUNTY — The Town of Boonton Police Department, New Jersey State Police is assisting the Montville Township Police Department with an ongoing investigation. Their investigation led to an area being search in Parsippany at the Jersey City Reservoir Property and Interstate 287 Southbound.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are in that area assisting with the search.

Police arrested three suspects, and are searching for one more.

Montville Police issued this statement “Attempted burglaries to motor vehicles off of Taylortown and in the northern part of town. Review cameras and email sregan@montvillenj.org.”

As details are released, Parsippany Focus will update this article.

New Jersey State Police Helicopters flying over the area

Editor’s Note: An arrest or signing 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.

CCM to Offer Free Eldercare, Guardianship and Estate Planning Workshop 

Frank L. Cahill
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CCM to Offer Free Eldercare, Guardianship and Estate Planning Workshop 

MORRIS COUNTY — Caring for an elderly loved one can result in a multitude of overwhelming responsibilities and myriad unanswered questions. Join County College of Morris (CCM) Foundation Board member John P. Beyel, Esq., of McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP of Morristown, and CCM alumna Trish Colucci Barbosa ’85, RN-BC, CCM of Peace Aging Care Experts, LLC of Flanders, as they share their expertise and offer informative advice on the sensitive topic of caring for elderly loved ones.

This free session is being held on Thursday, September 29, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Student Community Center, Davidson Room A, on CCM’s campus at 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph. Refreshments will be served.

<

p style=”font-weight: 400;”>Beyel, a partner at McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP, has extensive experience in many facets of the legal system. The firm’s practice areas include environmental, aviation, immigration, insurance, intellectual property, labor and employment, real estate and tax law. In addition, Beyel has been co-chair of the Trust & Estate Section of the Morris County Bar Association.

Barbosa, president and founder of Peace Aging Care Experts, LLC, began her care management agency when she realized her nursing skills combined with her care management expertise filled a special need in people’s lives. She founded Peace Aging Care in 2006 to assist people and their families with successfully navigating crisis situations, planning ahead for future care needs and getting more out of life every day.

While there is no fee to attend the presentation, space is limited. Kindly RSVP online at by clicking here or for more information contact Pam Williams at pwiliams2@ccm.edu or (973) 328-5060.

Participants can use Parking Lot 6 directly adjacent to the Student Community Center.

Positive Development Celebrates Therapy Center Ribbon Cutting

Frank L. Cahill
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Positive Development Celebrates Therapy Center Ribbon Cutting

PARSIPPANY — Positive Development hosted an open house for families and professionals on Saturday, August 13 at its clinic on 299 Cherry Hill Road, Suite 108, including a ribbon cutting ceremony with Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James R. Barberio and more community leaders joining in the celebration.

Staff members

Positive Development provides comprehensive developmental therapy that treats children and teens on the autism spectrum. Their transdisciplinary, integrative approach includes occupational, speech, and mental health therapies as well as ongoing parent coaching and support, empowering parents as an essential member of their child’s care team. A better choice for many families, their evidence-based model meets the child where they are to build more meaningful connections and relationships.

“Through our comprehensive developmental therapy, we will help more children achieve the outcomes that are most relevant to themselves and their families as they achieve greater growth, independence, and joy,” says Positive Development CEO, Mike Suiters.

Clinical Director, Natalie Kitts, adds, “This is my dream come true, being the Clinical Director in NJ with an amazing team of therapists. Together, we plan to make developmental therapy accessible to as many families as possible.”

Positive Development staff, families, friends, and numerous other community members gathered to tour the center and its sensory-friendly gym, learn more about developmental approaches in autism care, and experience and celebrate pure joy in progress.

A very special thank you to the following community leaders who took the time to celebrate with us:

Mayor James Barberio
Council President Michael dePierro
Council VP Loretta Gragnani
Councilman Justin Musella
Councilman Frank Neglia
Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr.
Fr. Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce
Assemblyman Brian Bergen
Commissioner Tom Mastrangelo
Morris County Sheriff James Gannon
Parsippany Economic Development Chairman Frank Cahill

For any other questions about this event and to keep informed on news and updates, schedule an assessment, or join the team, please reach out to Positive Development by calling (862) 339-4379 or click here.

Parsippany Rotary to Hold Bicycle Ride

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany Rotary to Hold Bicycle Ride

PARSIPPANY — Each year the Parsippany Rotary holds events but one of the special event is supporting school children projects we do to help them on:

Distributing Dictionaries, Back to School supplies, and Scholarships for high schoolers

It is a first time ever Parsippany Rotary bicycle ride happening for a great cause! All Parsippany and Morris county residents are welcome to join the great bicycle ride.

Many Rotarian’s and Parsippany residents are registering for being part of the 10 mile ride and supporting the Cause! Holding fundraisers help pay for the many excellent educational opportunities they support to the student body.

The Rotary continues to support school kids with above categories. The purpose of this message is to both inform you of the fundraising mission, as well as asking your great support and help on the school children’s Super Cause.

They’re always delivering and building brighter hopes, but none of that would be possible without kind supporters like you!!!

Registration link – click here
Event date : Saturday, September, 10, 2022

Event Arrival Time – 7:45 a.m.
Event Start  Time 8:30 a.m.
Event End Time : 10:30 a.m.

Event starts at Smith Field Park (Next to Starbucks) Parsippany

Event end location : Smith Field Park

Event will be given at the event

Event Miles to ride: 10 miles (16k)

Click here to download flyer.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 6

Frank L. Cahill
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Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 6

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 6.

Regular Township Council Meetings will commence at 7:00 p.m. All meetings will be held on Tuesday evenings. All meetings will be held in the Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard, Parsippany. Formal action may or may not be taken at all scheduled meetings.

Click here to download the agenda.

Any individual who is a qualified disabled person under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request auxiliary aids such as a sign interpreter or a tape recorder to be used for a meeting. Auxiliary aids must be requested at least 72 hours prior to the meeting date. Please call (973) 263-4351 to make a request for an auxiliary aid.

Click here to download the 2022 agenda schedule.

Mayor and Council

Mayor James R Barberio
Council President Michael J. dePierro
Council Vice-President Loretta Gragnani
Councilman Paul Carifi Jr.
Councilman Frank Neglia
Councilman Justin Musella

Thief Wanted For Razor Shoplifting Spree In Denville

Frank L. Cahill
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Thief Wanted For Razor Shoplifting Spree In Denville

MORRIS COUNTY — Residents are being asked to help the Morris County Sheriff’s CrimeStoppers identify this man, who is a suspect in a Denville Township burglary.

The Denville Township Police Department reports that at 4:18 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, a black male suspect shoplifted approximately $680 worth of razors from the CVS in Denville, located at 267 East Main Street.

The suspect then went to Denville’s Walgreens, located at 22 West Main Street, and attempted to shoplift several more items.

An employee confronted the suspect inside the Walgreens and chased him out of the store. The suspect was then seen getting into the back seat of a silver or beige four-door sedan, which was thought to be either an Uber or Lyft.

According to police, the suspect is believed to have been involved in similar shoplifting incidents throughout the state.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Morris County Sheriff’s CrimeStoppers at www.copcall.org, or call 973-COP-CALL.

Justin Musella and Courtney Pirone: A Royal Parsippany Wedding

Frank L. Cahill
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Justin Musella and Courtney Pirone: A Royal Parsippany Wedding

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman Justin Musella, son of Joseph and Angela Musella, married Courtney Pirone, daughter of Carmine and Beverly Pirone, on Friday, August 19 at St. Joseph Church, Bound Brook.  The reception followed at The Palace at Somerset Park, where friends, family, and community leaders joined the newlyweds to celebrate their love.

The wedding party
Joseph Musella, Angela Rotella Musella, Justin Musella, Courtney Pirone Musella, Beverly Pirone and Carmine Pirone

Serving as bridesmaids were Shaelyn Schiff, Sierra Schiff, Hailey Wilmont, Shana Musella, and Ariana Tilli.

The best man was Erick Paley, with Roland Achtau, Greg Lewis, Max Pirone, Robert Gemborys, Robert Van Fechtmann, and Boonton Council Member Joseph Bock serving as groomsmen.

Courtney with Charlotte Stier, Makayla Richie and Angelina McCroire, the flower girls.

Conor Lewis was a ring bearer; Charlotte Stier, Makayla Richie and Angelina McCroire were all flower girls.

The firework show over the skys of The Palace at Somerset Park were amazing
The firework show over the skys of The Palace at Somerset Park were amazing

Justin graduated from Emory University in 2013 and is currently employed as a Senior Account Executive at Biz2X. He was elected to the Parsippany Township Council in 2021.

Courtney graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Seton Hall University in 2021 and most recently achieved her master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University.

The newlyweds will continue to enjoy their new life together in Parsippany, joining many others who have decided to make this beautiful township their home.

The first kiss after the ceremony
The royal wedding
Justin dancing with his mom
Courtney dancing with her dad
Justin and Courtney Musella

All photos used were courtesy of Nick & Kelly Photography. nickandkellyphoto.com.

Roots and Wings Host Annual Rise and Fly Gala

Frank L. Cahill
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Roots and Wings Host Annual Rise and Fly Gala

FLORHAM PARK — Supporters gather for an evening to raise awareness and funds for young people who have aged-out of foster care in New Jersey, which currently impacts 600-800 youths annually. Sadly, many of these young adults are not reunited with their families or placed into permanent housing, leaving them vulnerable to homelessness, poverty, unemployment, lack of education, and incarceration.

This year’s event is proud to honor Paul Heroux, an avid volunteer and supporter of Roots & Wings. The evening will also feature inspirational stories from the young people the agency serves, exciting auction prizes, and opportunities to make a significant impact on their mission.

The event will be held on Wednesday, September 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and the Park Savoy, 263 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park.

The mission of Roots & Wings, a Denville-based non-profit organization, is to provide safe housing, emotional support, life skills, and educational opportunities for youth aging out of foster care; empowering them to rise toward their greatest potential.

Roots & Wings is funded almost entirely by individual donors. The Rise & Fly Gala is the largest fundraising event of the year. This funding allows them to continue to change the course of the lives of aged-out foster youth in New Jersey.

WHO: Youth speakers will share their inspirational stories and Paul Heroux will be honored for his unwavering support of the Roots & Wings mission.

To learn more and register to attend, click here.

Founded in 1999 by Irene DeGrandpre, a CASA volunteer and NJ hero honoree, R&W began as a community-based volunteer operation. Intending to provide an intensive, life-changing program focused on the empowerment of education and the development of critically necessary life skills, R&W volunteers established a residential program to support these young people as they transition from foster care to independence. Today, we have housing in Morris and Union counties and accept young adults from all over the state.

Through housing and case management, we provide a safety net, protecting our clients from the risks foster youth face, when left without support and guidance. This greatly reduces their risk of lifetime poverty and hardship. Clients leave R&W having broken the cycle of poverty, abuse, and despair that research shows often continues generation after generation absent intensive outside intervention. All this, because a volunteer in her community, decided to change the world, one young adult at a time.

Morris County Observes International Overdose Awareness Day

Frank L. Cahill
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Morris County Observes International Overdose Awareness Day

PARSIPPANY — With heart-wrenching personal stories, parents who lost loved-ones to overdoses and recovering addicts today joined Morris County and state officials, as well as nonprofit groups to observe International Overdose Awareness Day, as drug related deaths continued to surge around the nation.

The annual event, observed worldwide for 21 years to focus on the lives lost to drug deaths, was recognized during a ceremony on the lawn of the Morris County Addiction Center off Central Avenue, in Parsippany, where Morris County planted a weeping cherry tree in 2020 to mark the county’s inaugural recognition of the day.

Mark and Maria Broadhurst of Long Valley talk about losing their son, Joshua

Among those who talked of struggling with addiction and a need for understanding in the community were Mark and Maria Broadhurst of Long Valley, who lost a son to addiction and opened a nonprofit in his name, “Joshua’s Peace,” to advocate for support, treatment, prevention and to help others struggling with addiction.

Joshua Broadhurst

“On December 6, 2019, a day before my birthday and what was supposed to be a special weekend of celebration, our son, Joshua, the oldest of our five children, died from accidental overdose. I say accidental overdose because we know he wanted to live. We know he fought his addiction hard. We know more than anything else in his 24 years, his family was the most important thing in his life,” Maria Broadhurst said in a tearful speech.

Both Broadhursts said the public must understand that addiction is a disease that can be overcome, that people with problems must know they can ask for help and that the road to recovery is hard, but it is not impossible.

“Unless you are wearing these shoes yourself, struggling with addiction, you have no idea,” said Mark Broadhurst, holding up a pair of red sneakers that were Joshua’s favorite footwear. “You can’t truly understand how devastating, how all-encompassing and life-threatening this disease is. If we are going to help our children and those struggling, we must never forget this fact.”

Mark and Maria Broadhurst display Joshua’s favorite sneakers as they make a point

Overdose deaths spiked again across the nation in 2021, hitting 107,000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That marks another record high, with records being set nearly every year for the past decade.

“Abuse and addiction doesn’t have to end in tragedy. Help is available and effective. The message must be for those wrestling with demons: Do not give up. Talk to somebody. Get help. Utilized the support of your friends, family and loved ones,” said State Senator Anthony M. Bucco, who moderated the event.

Assemblywoman Aura Dunn

His office hosted the ceremony with Morris County Commissioners Tayfun Selen and Deborah Smith, Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon, members of the Morris County Department of Human Services, Brad Seabury of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn.

State Senator Anthony M. Bucco

Morris County Commissioner Director Selen noted the national death toll due to overdose appears unabated, despite an increase in awareness, education and programs.

“What troubles me today, however, is that our nation seems to be accepting this terrible toll as a fact of life – and I am not sure why,” said Director Tayfun Selen.

He cited two Pew Research surveys released this year, one showing the number of Americans who say drug addiction is a major problem in their local community dropped from 42 percent in 2018 to 35 percent last year. It also showed that decline in concern is even in areas where overdose deaths are highest.

“This is terrible to learn, my friends, because when our fellow Americans no longer care, how can we expect our federal government to care. A separate Pew study this year showed that dealing with drug addiction ranked lowest out of 18 priorities for the President and Congress to address this year,” Selen explained. “Now, I know we have a lot of problems to solve in America. We live in tough times.  But I think the death of more than 107,000 friends, neighbors and family members each year to overdoses should at least be among America’s top 10 national concerns.”

Sen. Bucco and Director Selen chat with Cheryl Semiz, who spoke about becoming addicted as a teenager and overdosing before entering recovery

Cheryl Semiz, Frances Harrington and Michael Dickerson, all recovering addicts, spoke to the Overdose Awareness Day gathering of nearly 100 people about turning from their personal struggles toward helping others to overcome addiction. Each also explained how they lost friends to overdoses and have watched others become addicted.

Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon

But Sheriff Gannon offered some hope, noting the news is not all dismal. Morris County’s community response over the years to addiction, through numerous nonprofits and county programs such as Hope One, Navigating Hope and a “Stigma Free” campaigns, appears to have had some impact, although tragic overdoses continue.

Frances Harrington

“As of right now in Morris County, we’ve had 71 suspected fatal overdoses so far this year –that’s a 16 percent decrease,” the Sheriff said. “We’ve had a decrease in suicides and a decrease in fatal overdoses. It could change on a dime … But we’ve also seen an increase in the number of calls for service to our police officers for emotionally disturbed persons and mental illness. I have to believe that there is something going on.”

However, nationally the problem is increasing.

Brad Seabury, Chief Assistant Prosecutor in Morris County
Michael Dickerson

“Twenty-three and a half million individuals across our nation are in need of addiction treatment for alcohol and drugs – 23-1/2 million. Unfortunately, only around 11 percent of those individuals struggling with the disease of addiction will seek treatment. Eleven percent,” said Brad Seabury, Chief Assistant Prosecutor in Morris County. “That is why we are seeing the deaths that we are seeing in this nation and why so much of that is because of the stigma associated with this disease … I would suggest to you that it is the barrier to us beating this and we have an obligation to tear down that stigma.”

On the state level, New Jersey overdose deaths had been increasing until this year, although there are four months yet to go.

“Overdose deaths are higher than ever before in New Jersey, increasing by more than six percent – 204 more lost lives. Emergency room visits for substance abuse disorders increased nearly 30 percent,” said Assemblywoman Dunn. “For those loved ones who must live on with the pain, today we have the opportunity to turn that pain into purpose.”

New Jersey confirmed 2,914 drug overdoses in 2019, compared to 3,050 suspected drug overdose deaths in 2020 and 3,124 suspected overdose deaths in 2021. However, to date, the Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner lists 1,894 suspected overdose death, putting the state on track to actually have a decline for 2022.

Morris County’s mobile recovery access vehicle offers critical support for persons struggling with addiction, with the goals of preventing drug overdoses and deaths, as well as mental health services.

Sons of Italy: Working Together to Make a Difference

Patrick Minutillo
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Sons of Italy: Working Together to Make a Difference

PARSIPPANY — The August monthly meeting of Morris County Lodge 2561 of the Sons of Italy included a visit by representatives from two of the organization’s multiple charitable partners, JBWS (Morris County’s Domestic Violence agency), and the Interfaith Food Pantry Network.

Crisis Response Team Manager, Robin M. Hughes, DVS

Representing JBWS was Crisis Response Team Manager, Robin M. Hughes, DVS, who addressed the Lodge, passionately addressing her organization’s role in helping those victims affected by domestic violence.

Ms. Hughes noted that despite the apparent affluence in Morris County, it is not immune from this violent issue. In fact, JBWS has responded to over seven hundred cases of domestic abuse already this year, and seventy cases alone this month. It is estimated that as much as 1 in 4 people suffer from some form of abuse related issues and just do not talk about it for various reasons. It is a serious and important problem that is necessary to address, and Ms. Hughes has been putting her heart and soul into working with and collaborating with police agencies and victims for the past 26 years. Ms. Hughes stated that she herself had been the victim of domestic violence, so she understands the problem, and has devoted herself to “giving people hope.”

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio and Robin M. Hughes, DVS. Crisis Response Team Manager for JBWS

“If I do everything I can do to help these victims then I can sleep at night” stated Ms. Hughes. She continued, “Donations such as these from the Sons of Italy affords them the opportunity to do the job.”

The Helpline number for JBWS is (973) 267-4763 /1-877-R-U-ABUSED.

Ms. Carolyn Lake, the Executive Director of the Interfaith Food Pantry Network

1st V.P. Joseph Jannarone Jr., who serves as Committee Chairperson for the Fundraising/Philanthropic arm of Lodge 2561, along with Lodge 2561 President Robert Adamo, presented Ms. Hughes a generous donation to assist JBWS continue its efforts on behalf of the Sons of Italy. Jannarone’s responsibilities, which he has done for 20 years, involves the oversight and distribution of the Lodge’s charitable donations, while working hand in hand with the Lodge’s multiple charitable partners.

Following, was an equally powerful presentation by Ms. Carolyn Lake, the Executive Director of the Interfaith Food Pantry Network, headquartered out of Morris Plains. Ms. Lake in an impassioned presentation enlightened the assemble group as to the significant problem of food insecurity plaguing a surprising number of families in the Morris area. It is estimated that as much as 32 percent of working families are struggling with nutritional issues, not to mention senior citizens, whose numbers have blown up since COVID. Ms. Lake stated that those in need are served by two pantries, one in Morris Plains and one in Morristown, as well as a Mobile Pantry.

Ms. Lake explained that the goal of the Interfaith Food Pantry is not only to deal with hunger, but to address a myriad of nutritional issues that affect 40 percent of those served by the Pantry. The organization’s goal is to educate those in need, including seniors, on proper nutrition and appropriate foods to stay healthy. Ms. Lake proudly stated that “85 percent of those they serve are getting healthier because of this education.”  In her closing remarks Ms. Lake stressed, “Our mission is to promote health and well-being of Morris County residents. We need the community involved and volunteers are critical to our success. And, of course, we are always looking for contributions.”

Mrs. Lake was presented with a donation from 2nd V.P. Michael Fazzio and President Robert Adamo

Ms. Lake was also presented with a generous donation from the Lodge in their continuing long-time support. Presenting the donation was 2nd V.P. Michael Fazzio and President Robert Adamo. Fazzio is a longtime volunteer and commits a lot of personal time assisting at the Interfaith Food Pantry.

Lodge President Adamo ended the presentations by thanking both guests for enlightening the group on what they do, and stating, “Our problems seem small in comparison to what others must deal with. It is rewarding to help the less fortunate, and I am proud of the part the Sons of Italy plays in cooperatively working with all our charitable partners as we continue to actively serve Morris County.”

Want to help? JBWS can be reached at (973) 267-7520 ext. 229, and the Interfaith Food Pantry at (973) 538-8049 ext. 211.

Future charitable endeavors coming up for the Sons of Italy-Lodge 2561 include a Wine Tasting Evening the Lodge is co-sponsoring with the Kiwanis at the Hanover Manor on October 20 and their Annual Beefsteak and Comedy Night on November 19 at the Bloomingdale Fire Headquarters. More information on both those events will be available shortly. Check out the Sons of Italy-Lodge 2561 website at www.soi.2561, and/or on their Facebook page.

Robin M. Hughes, DVS. Crisis Response Team Manager for JBWS with Joe Jannarone,Jr.

New Staff Orientation begins for Parsippany-Troy Hills Teachers

Frank L. Cahill
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New Staff Orientation begins for Parsippany-Troy Hills Teachers

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Administrators, Superintendent, Dr. Barbara Sargent, BOE President Tim Berrios, and Vice-President Judy Mayer, greeted our new teachers as they eagerly began their orientation for the 2022-2023 school year.

The feeling of excitement, anticipation and apprehension filled the Media Center at Parsippany High School. The first few weeks of school can be overwhelming which is why our New Staff Orientation workshops, designed by our Assistant Superintendent and Supervisors, are developed to help guide new staff members through the challenges they will face with academics, effective instruction, evaluations, Board Policies, and communication between staff, students, and parents.

The new teachers are given the tools they need to begin a successful year in Parsippany. They learn how to design lessons to reach mastery, how to transform their classrooms into productive learning environments, learn helpful classroom management tips, and how to always have positive expectations that our students will be successful. They began their workshops with reviewing Professional Responsibilities and District Goals, an Overview of the Danielson Evaluation Plan, Business Office procedures, Technology, Genesis, Human Resources overviews, and Department Group Meetings just to name a few.

Our new teachers are invigorated and ready to start the new year!

Chand Palace: Multi-Diverse Culinary Scene

Patrick Minutillo
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Chand Palace: Multi-Diverse Culinary Scene

PARSIPPANY — There is no argument that Parsippany boasts a highly impressive and multi-diverse culinary scene that is second to none. At the intersection of Littleton and Parsippany Roads in the Littleton Plaza you will find one of the township’s longest standing Indian restaurants, Chand Palace. Chand Palace originally opened its doors in 1986 and has been a staple of Parsippany ever since. You must be doing something extremely right to survive 36 years, specializing in vegetarian Indian cuisine, in a community with multiple outstanding Indian restaurants, and with a population of over 20% people of Indian American decent, with discerning taste when it comes to authentic food.

The walls covered with soft ivory colored wallpaper and adorned with tasteful modern artwork

It was my first visit to Chand Palace, after hearing so many suggestions and positive comments about it, I had to stop in. Chand Palace has recently changed hands as of October 2021, and is now owned by Manan Saxena, who is carrying on the restaurant’s legacy by serving only the finest, freshest, authentic, vegetarian cuisine. Mr. Saxena’s passion to provide a superior dining experience was evident during our conversation and I will get back to our conversation a little later in this review.

Pulling into the strip mall parking lot, Chand Palace is situated in the middle of several other Indian markets and businesses. The unassuming facade certainly was not indicative of what one will find once inside. On entry, I was pleasantly surprised with the casual yet upscale, stylish, modernistic, dining room that immediately caught my attention. Our group was warmly greeted by the welcoming staff, as Manager Sarok Shrestha, offered us a table of our choice. We were led to one of the many attractive gold leaf and black trimmed tables, set for four, arranged perfectly, with sparkling glass and silverware. Chand Palace is a BYOB, so we did bring our own wine, which was uncorked and poured without delay. Our server, Itika, could not have been more attentive, helpful or pleasant.

The ambiance was wonderfully comfortable, family friendly, with soft music playing in the background, bright and airy, immaculately clean, with high ceilings which subdued any surrounding noise, walls covered with soft ivory colored wallpaper and adorned with tasteful modern artwork. The rich looking red carpeting, crystal chandeliers, clean and bright white walls and ceiling, with touches of red brick in an attached dining room, perfectly complemented the interior.

The carefully prepared buffet set up, arranged near the rear of the dining area, was appealing. There was an abundance of fresh foods, lots of color and pleasing aromas, with a lavish variety of vegetarian cuisine. I counted over fourteen cold and hot entrée choices, five desserts, ice cream, and soup. Chand Palace is known for their buffet, and it appeared that every diner had come in just for that. Our server, Itika, suggested that we try the buffet so that we could get a nice sampling of the various dishes offered. One can also order straight from Chand’s full and extensive menu if that is your preference. We all decided to go with Itika’s suggestion, and it was a good decision!

This revolving style of service obviously keeps everything fresh and full of flavor.

Of note, the buffet changes its selections on a revolving basis. Lunch is different from dinner, and it is different every day of the week. Selections are chosen from all the different geographical areas of India so you may be served food from southern India on one day, and from the north on another. There are also Indo-Chinese dishes incorporated in the buffet. To ensure authenticity the kitchen staff is comprised of Chef’s from all the different sections of India.  There is even a Chef who specializes in just Indo-Chinese cuisine. This revolving style of service obviously keeps everything fresh and full of flavor. Like the owner told me, “I want to bring every part of India to your table.” One of my guests, Marko, made the comment, “I have never experienced any other food with so much flavor as Indian food.” As we meticulously worked our way through the buffet, dish by dish, we could clearly detect the distinct tastes of sweetness, bitterness, sourness, saltiness, cool, and spicy hot. It truly was like getting all the tastes of India in one sitting. No shortage of taste sensations here, and I think your palate will thank you for it. It is a misconception that Indian cuisine is always spicy hot. It is the spices that provide the flavor to the food, not the heat. Like any cuisine, if you want the heat level brought down on any dish, the restaurant will be glad to accommodate your tastes.

I consider myself a carnivore, but I was very satisfied with this full vegetarian meal. To authenticate the vegetarian status of the food the Chef’s do not even utilize eggs when preparing their dishes. The buffet consisted of Tom Yum Soup, Chana Masala, Spring Rolls, Jalapeno Cheese Samosas, Malai Kofta, Vegetable Hakka Noodles, Jeera Rice, Aloo Tikki, Bhindi Masala, Dal Makhni, Saag, Dal Makhni, Thai Green Curry, Vegetable Fried Rice; and for dessert Gajar Halwa, Gulab Jamun, Ras Malai, Jalebi, Indian Sweets, and Ice Cream. Garlic Naan and Chole Bhature (Curry Bread) also came with the meal. We all went up several time to try to sample everything we could, until we just could not take another bite. It was a great dining experience.

Itika serving Chole Bhature (Curry Bread)

I did get an opportunity to sit down with owner/restauranteur, Manan Saxena, for some quick background information. Mr. Saxena, a very friendly, personable, and enthusiastic man, was born in Jaipur, the capital of India’s Rajasthan state. Jaipur is famous for its traditional cuisine, as well as for its spices and sweets.

He was born into a family with a long history in the food industry and that is where his love of food began. He arrived in America in 2009, where like many a great restaurateur learned his trade from the ground up. Following jobs as a dishwasher, busser, hospitality assistant, and assistant manager to a restaurant, he began fine tuning his trade as a catering manager.

Mr. Saxena utilized his growing knowledge, skills, abilities, and passion to eventually lead him to his first venture, Chand Palace, taking a dangerous chance and opening it during the pandemic. When I asked him why he would take such a chance, he stated, “I was an Indian boy who came to America with a lot of dreams. You can fail one time, you can fail two times, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.  I took a chance opening Chand Palace at the end of the pandemic based on my faith and ability on Indian food and culture to succeed.” “This Country gives you a lot, it is like a force of water; you have to drink it, the opportunities are there.”

For dessert Gajar Halwa

Mr. Saxena will be opening his second restaurant, AAZ (own style) on December 1 in Franklin Park.

The restaurant is currently offering a couple of specials you might be interested in. Family Fun Day: Kids (under 11) eat free on Mondays, with the purchase of one adult buffet (not valid on holidays or long weekends. Thirsty Thursdays: Offering a free freshly made (non-alcoholic) drink with the purchase of one adult buffet, through September.

If you are a vegetarian, I would think this is the place for you. If you have not tried vegetarian cuisine of India yet, I would suggest you stop in and give it a try. I am sure you will enjoy the experience, and believe me, you will not even notice the absence of meat.

Chand Palace is located at 257 Littleton Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054. (973) 334-5444; or visit www.chandpalaceparsippany.com.

Lamar Harris Sentenced to 18 Years in Connection with 2021 Homicide

Frank L. Cahill
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Lamar Harris Sentenced to 18 Years in Connection with 2021 Homicide

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, New Jersey Transit Police Chief Christopher Trucillo, and Morristown Police Chief Darnell Richardson announce that Lamar Harris, 34, last known address 1 Jean Street, Morristown, has been sentenced to 18 years in New Jersey State Prison.

At approximately 12:29 a.m. on March 29, 2021, law enforcement received information regarding a deceased male at 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 sustained 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 homicide.  The victim was previously identified as Matthew Palla.  Subsequent investigation, including video surveillance, revealed the victim and Lamar Harris were together in Morristown and in the vicinity of the Morristown Train Station prior to the homicide.  The investigation also revealed that Matthew Palla was in possession of approximately $800 prior to the homicide.

On June 15, 2022, Lamar Harris pled guilty to first degree Aggravated Manslaughter and third degree Theft by Unlawful Taking before the Hon. Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr.

On August 11 Judge Taylor imposed a sentence of 18 years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the No Early Release Act, which makes the defendant ineligible for parole until he has served 85% of the sentence, on the Aggravated Manslaughter.

Judge Taylor also imposed a concurrent sentence of five years in New Jersey State Prison on the Theft.  The defendant was also ordered to pay $800 restitution.

Prosecutor Carroll would like to thank and acknowledge the agencies that participated in the investigation that led to the apprehension and prosecution of the defendant, including 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.

Physiopros Performance Rehab Celebrates Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Frank L. Cahill
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Physiopros Performance Rehab Celebrates Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

PARSIPPANY — The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, The Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Committee and Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon during the official grand opening ceremony of Physiopros Performance Rehab. Physiopros Performance Rehab is located at 3799 Route 46, Suite 110.

Parsippany-Troy Hills Mayor James Barberio cut the ribbon with the owners Jeff and Fady. Council member Frank Neglia along with Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Chairman Frank Cahill joined in.  Also attending was Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce President Robert Peluso and Board Member Nicolas Limanov and Robert Peluso, Jr.

Owners Dr. Fady Youssef and Dr.Jeffrey Long proudly holds the plaque presented by Parsippany-Troy Hills Economic Development Committee Chairman Frank Cahill

Physiopros Performance Rehab’s mission is to provide innovative, one on one Physical Therapy interventions to guide patients through the rehabilitation process and get them back to performing the activities that they love as quickly and safely as possible. They strive to set themselves apart from the other PT clinics that provide minimal one on one time with a Physical Therapist and focuses on passive modalities such as heat, stim, and ice. They pride ourselves on spending a significant amount of time with each patient and delivering individualized, patient centered, and goal oriented treatment; the way that PT is supposed to be.

Jeff Long PT, DPT, OCS, CMPT, CSCS

Jeff Long PT, DPT, OCS, CMPT, CSCS is one of the Physical Therapists and owners at Physiopros Performance Rehab. Jeff’s Physical Therapy journey began when he was in a serious car accident and broke his neck over 10 years ago. He experienced firsthand the positive outcomes and influence Physical Therapy can have on someone’s life and well being and decided that this was the career he wanted to pursue. He graduated with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy and a Bachelor’s in Health Sciences in 2018 and received awards of academic achievement and clinical excellence for his performance in the classroom as well as the clinic.

Since graduating, Jeff has been working mainly in the outpatient orthopedic setting where he has gained experience in treating various musculoskeletal and neuromuscular injuries and ailments involving all body parts. He has experience working with all age groups ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics. He has achieved certifications in manual therapy, orthopedics, and strength and conditioning since graduating. He has a passion for developing personalized treatment plans that focus on optimizing movement, regaining quality of life, and helping patients achieve their goals of returning to the activities that they love to do.

Fady Youssef, PT, DPT, OCS, CMPT, CSCS

Fady earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Touro College in 2018. His interest for physical therapy came from his own experiences with being injured while playing sports during his high school and college years. The injuries he experienced while wrestling, playing football, track, and weightlifting led him to experience physical therapy first-hand and helped him grow his passion for the profession.

Fady uses his athletic background and personal experience to improve the lives of those he treats. Along his journey, Fady also became an Orthopedic Certified Specialist and a Certified Strength and Conditioning coach, allowing him to treat a wide variety of clients.

He is also a Certified Manual Physical Therapist through the North American Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy. Fady’s goal is to improve the health and well-being of the communities which he serves.

You can reach Physiopros Performance Rehab by calling (973) 265-8621 or by clicking here to visit their website.

Physiopros Performance Rehab is a member of Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.

Frank Cahill, Chairman Parsippany Economic Development Committee presented the owners with a plaque congratulating their new business
Physiopros Performance Rehab’s mission is to provide innovative, one on one Physical Therapy interventions to guide patients through the rehabilitation process
Physiopros Performance Rehab’s mission is to provide innovative, one on one Physical Therapy interventions to guide patients through the rehabilitation process
Physiopros Performance Rehab’s mission is to provide innovative, one on one Physical Therapy interventions to guide patients through the rehabilitation process

Driver in Over Turned Box Truck Receives 11 Summons

Frank L. Cahill
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Driver in Over Turned Box Truck Receives 11 Summons

PARSIPPANY —  The driver, Gerard Marichal, 26, was driving a 1998 White Isuzu box truck that flipped onto its roof at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 16 on Route 46 East received eleven summons from Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer Gregory Lowe. Mr Marichal was traveling east on Route 46, failed to stop for red traffic signal, and turned a hard right onto New Road and slid into the bumper of UPS truck driven by Mr. William Sanders, 2nd.

Mr. Marichal stated “My brakes failed and was unable to stop.” Police investigation reveals that he was traveling too fast and was overweight preventing the vehicle from stopping.

The accident caused a storage tank of cooking oil inside the vehicle to dislodge and spill. State, County, Local and private agencies were dispatched to assist in the cleanup.

The incident prompted the Parsippany Police Department to immediately close the far right lane on Route 46 East at New Road. All lanes have reopened at about 3:00 p.m.

The charges included Reckless Driving; Making an Illegal Right Turn; Delaying Traffic (Creating Risk of Accident); Unsafe Lane Change (Failure to Maintain Lane); No name on Commercial Vehicle; Failure to display gross vehicle weight; Excessive weight; Operate a commercial vehicle with no CDL license; Unsafe vehicle, Uninsured out of state vehicle and Failure to wear seat belt.

According to Officer Lowe “The insurance policy was cancelled on July 22, by the previous owner of the vehicle. The previous insurance company was Allstate.

Click here to view related story.

Editor’s Note: An arrest or signing a 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.

Atlantic Health System Welcomes Chief Health System Officer

Frank L. Cahill
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Atlantic Health System Welcomes Chief Health System Officer

MORRIS COUNTY — Atlantic Health System announced the arrival of Scott Leighty, FACHE, Executive Vice President, Chief Health System Officer. An experienced leader in hospital performance and strategic growth, Leighty will lend his talents to the health system’s unwavering efforts to ensure extraordinary care and experiences for patients and their families.

Leighty will bring a commitment to teamwork and unparalleled community service to the inner workings of the nationally recognized, integrated care delivery system. To ensure every patient has access to the right care, at the right time, in the right place, he will work closely and collaboratively with the system’s medical center presidents and leaders of its service lines and operations, pharmacy, laboratory and respiratory teams.

“Atlantic Health is well known for excellence in patient care and is a leader in safety, quality and workplace culture,” said Leighty. “Our team is committed to increasing value for the patients we serve – not only through closer coordination of care within our system but through new partnerships in our communities. I’m thrilled to support Atlantic Health’s vision to transform health care by improving safety, access and affordability – for all.”

Throughout his 25 years in health care, Leighty has served as an advocate for care integration and patient satisfaction.  His dedication to a team-based approach to care and professional development for caregivers has led to improved efficiency and growth.  Leighty is also passionate about improving the convenience of care and building better relationships between patients and clinicians.

Leighty previously served as senior vice president, regional hospitals and clinical services for Allina Health, a leading care delivery system with 11 hospitals and 28,000 team members headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  He also served as senior vice president, corporate operations for Atrium Health in Charlotte, North Carolina and held leadership positions with Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa and Ohio Health in Columbus.

“Scott’s ability to create innovative, supportive environments that work for every member of the team will ensure our future workforce is as strong as our history as an organization,” said Brian Gragnolati, President and CEO, Atlantic Health System. “At this pivotal moment for health care in our country, he is the ideal leader to advance our mission to build healthier communities while caring for our caregivers.”

Leighty has held board positions at various organizations including Community Blood Center of the Carolinas, Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa and the American Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services, illustrating a deep commitment to local community service. He is also a fellow at the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Learn more about the rest of the Atlantic Health System click here.

Atlantic Health System is at the forefront of medicine, setting standards for quality health care in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the New York metropolitan area. Powered by a workforce of more than 18,000 team members and 4,800 affiliated physicians dedicated to building healthier communities, Atlantic Health System serves more than half of the state of New Jersey including 12 counties and 5.5 million people.

The not-for-profit system offers more than 400 sites of care, including its seven hospitals: Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ, Overlook Medical Center in Summit, NJ, Newton Medical Center in Newton, NJ, Chilton Medical Center in Pompton Plains, NJ, Hackettstown Medical Center in Hackettstown, NJ, Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown, NJ, Atlantic Rehabilitation Institute in Madison, NJ and through its partnership with CentraState Healthcare System in Freehold, NJ.

Atlantic Medical Group, comprised of 1,000 physicians and advanced practice providers, represents one of the largest multi-specialty practices in New Jersey and joins Atlantic Accountable Care Organization and Optimus Healthcare Partners as part of Atlantic Alliance, a Clinically Integrated Network of more than 2,500 health care providers throughout northern and central NJ.

Atlantic Health System provides care for the full continuum of health care needs through 23 urgent care centers, Atlantic Visiting Nurse and Atlantic Anywhere Virtual Visits. Facilitating the connection between these services on both land and air is the transportation fleet of Atlantic Mobile Health.

Atlantic Health System leads the Healthcare Transformation Consortium, a partnership of six regional hospitals and health systems dedicated to improving access and affordability and is a founding member of the PIER Consortium – Partners in Innovation, Education, and Research – a streamlined clinical trial system that will expand access to groundbreaking research across five health systems in the region.

Atlantic Health System has a medical school affiliation with Thomas Jefferson University and is home to the regional campus of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Morristown and Overlook Medical Centers and is the official health care partner of the New York Jets.

Township Council Passes Budget Increasing Residents’ Local Taxes

Frank L. Cahill
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Township Council Passes Budget Increasing Residents’ Local Taxes

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council passed the 2022 Township Budget on Tuesday, August 16, 4-1. Councilman Justin Musella voted no on the increased budget.

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

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

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

That same meeting, the council voted unanimously to exceed the state-mandated 2% cap on annual property tax increases.

Councilman Justin Musella said “At the township council meeting last night, the Parsippany municipal budget was presented to the council for a vote. As this budget contained an unreasonable tax increase, I voted no. I understand the difficulties that the mayor faced in cleaning up the mess left by the previous administration, however, I did not feel that this budget went far enough to address those concerns. With inflation at levels unseen since the middle of last century, and a possible recession on the horizon, I don’t believe this is an appropriate time to saddle struggling taxpayers with another large tax increase.”

Councilman Paul Carifi said “The only way to reduce the budget was to layoff in excess of a 100 employees and take away many services that our seniors depend on and there’s NO WAY I was going to do that.”

“Your taxes aren’t going up that much,” Mayor James Barberio said. Barberio, along with the rest of the Council, have maintained that homeowners will still see their total tax bill go up by 3.3%.

Barberio said politics were behind criticisms of the budget, pointing to a statement published online by the Parsippany Democratic Committee. “They called me a liar,” Barberio said. “No one calls me a liar. I don’t care what party you are from.”

During Tuesday’s meeting, Parsippany residents voiced their concerns regarding the budget. Resident Bernie Clarkin had bantered with Barberio over the increase in legal fees this year, which will be $217k.

Councilman Frank Neglia blamed the previous mayor, Michael Soriano, for the town’s financial crisis, citing his “foolish spending” on eye scans and appointing people to “positions that never existed.”

“In my opinion, Soriano was inexperienced and doesn’t know how to run a town like Mayor Barberio does,” Neglia said.

The Council and mayor will begin to “accept responsibility,” Neglia said. “Today is the start of cleaning up this mess,” he added. “The budget will start tonight. It’s ours now.”

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

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

 

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