MORRIS COUNTY —Morris County Emergency Operations Center is currently monitoring a Strong Nor’ Easter. A wind advisory remains in effect until 7:00 p.m. this evening. We anticipate Northeast winds 20-30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph. The Forecast data suggests that the strongest winds are expected to occur from late this morning through early this evening. It is possible that the strong winds may blow down limbs, trees, and power lines which may result in isolated power outages. In addition to the strong winds and heavy rain, we may also experience a wintry mix scenario. We anticipate drizzle and spotty rain showers this morning. Mid-day will give way to steadier rain with the possibility of some sleet mixing in. The heaviest rain will fall this evening with the possibility of additional sleet. A coating of 1.0″ of sleet is possible, with the best chance for a coating of 1.0″ towards and north of I-80. The main threat will end by 1:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. tomorrow morning, with lighter rain and occasionally mixed showers still possible through Tuesday on the tail-end of the storm.
We have been in contact with representatives from JCP&L and we will be speaking with them throughout this storm. If you experience an outage due to the weather, please report it using one of the following methods:
• Text OUT to 544487 • Online at www.jcp-l.com • Use the JCP&L smartphone app (iPhone and Android) • Via the “Report an Outage” tab here on Facebook (http://statictab.com/h8vmadi from a mobile device) • Call 888-LIGHTSS (888-544-4877)
Stay clear of downed power lines. Always assume they are live and dangerous. Report downed lines immediately to (888) 544-4877.
We anticipate additional call volume in the Morris County Communications/911 Center. We ask that you only call for an “EMERGENCY”.
We suggest making sure that light-weight objects such as patio furniture, garbage cans and other items be removed and/or secured.
BOONTON — The Morris County Young Republicans met on Thursday, January 19 at Vinnie’s Pizzeria and Ristorante, 406 Main Street, Boonton. The guest speaker was Morris County Freeholder Hank Lyons. Morris Township Committeeman Matheu Nunn was the event sponsor.
Also Chair Joe Bock, Boonton, and Secretary Michael Crispi, Hanover, was sworn in for their new positions for 2017.
Special guests attending the event were Freeholders Doug Cabana, Hank Lyons, John Cesaro and Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr.
Freeholder Doug Cabana administrating the oath of office to Joseph BockFreeholder John Cesaro administers the Oath of Office to Secretary Michael Crispi as Joe Bock holds the bible
The Morris County Young Republicans is a chapter within the New Jersey Young Republican Federation. We are one of the most active Young Republican clubs in the State of New Jersey. In 2016, they were proud to receive the NJYRF’s Award for “Club of the Year.” With increased membership and fundraising this past year, including for charity, the Young Republicans take pride in improving their community and working on key races for Republicans in 2017.
Several members and former members have run for and won elected office. They continue to support fellow Young Republicans in their campaigns and making a difference.
The Morris County Young Republicans is determined to grow our membership to build strong Republican networks in every one of our municipalities. We would like to encourage YOU to join our club, by donating yearly dues of just $35. You may bring a check made payable to “Morris County Young Republicans” to their next meeting, or mail a check to our office at 26 Schuyler Place, Morristown NJ 07960. You may also pay online by credit card by clicking here. Membership dues allow our group to survive and to run monthly events. For club voting rights, members must be registered Republicans between ages 18-40 living in Morris County. However, they would be delighted to have any of our other friends who are outside of those qualifications to join as Associate Members, and to attend all of our events.
PARSIPPANY — Mack-Cali Realty Corporation has made an application to the Township Clerk for a Person-to-Person Transfer of a Plenary Retail Consumption liquor license.
The application indicates it will be used for a restaurant, and will be issued in the name of Hanover Hospitality Corp, and will remain a pocket license until such time a physical location is secured to transfer the license.
The license is being purchased from the owners of the former Chand Palace, 189 Littleton Road.
The application will be on the agenda of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Council meeting on Tuesday, January 24.
Other than this license, there are no other licenses currently available within the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills.
The building located at 7 Campus Drive has an office space available sign outside. There are buildings within in the complex that are available for rent
Recently, it has been rumored that Mack-Cali will repurpose office buildings off of Route 202 and Route 10. The plan, according to some, is to turn one of the Campus Drive Mack-Cali building into 97 apartment units and store-fronts at the main level. There was also talk about bringing a upscale restaurant within the complex.
Parsippany officials won’t say if any empty Mack-Cali office buildings are being considered for housing complex.
Recently, 1515 License, LLC., purchased a Plenary Retail Consumption license and is also a pocket license. 1515 lists an address in Bexley, Ohio, which is the same address as Stanbery Development, which is planning to build a multi-use project at 1515 Route 10 East. The Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board will be hearing their application in upcoming months.
A license which becomes inactive and is no longer sited at a business premises becomes a “pocket” license. At the time a pocket license is reactivated, the licensee must file an application for a place-to-place transfer of the license so that it may be sited at the new active business address.
The license must be used within the borders of Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. According to a recent OPRA request, the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills has 44 establishments with liquor licenses.
There are six, Class 31 which is defined as a “Club license.” American Legion, Elks Club, Lake Hiawatha Fire Department are some examples of establishments with this type of license. This license may only be issued to a non-profit organization that has a minimum of sixty (60) votin[l members and has been in active operation and has been in possession of its clubhouse for three (3) continuous years.
There is one, Class 32 which is defined at a “Plenary Retail Consumption License with Broad Package Privilege” Basket of Cheer is an example of an establishment with this type of license. This license is a Plenary Retail Consumption License, except the sale of package goods is not restricted to the principal public barroom. This “broad package privilege” was added to certain Plenary Retail Consumption Licenses in 1948, and those licenses continue to retain that privilege. These licenses are counted with the Plenary Retail Consumption Licenses for the purposes of the population cap limitation.
There are 23, Class 33 which is defined at “Plenary Retail Consumption.” Houlihans, Outback Steakhouse, The Inn Crowd, Buffalo Wild Wings are examples of establishments with this type of license. This license permits the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the licensed premises by the glass or other open container. The license also allows the sale of package goods for consumption off the licensed premises.
There are eight, Class 36 which is defined as “Plenary Retail Consumption (Hotel/Motel Exception)” Holiday Inn, Sheraton Parsippany hotel and Hyatt House are examples of establishments with this type of license. This license may be issued to a person or business entity who operates a hotel or motel containing at least 100 guest sleeping rooms. A municipality may issue this license even though a new consumption license cannot be issued in the municipality due to the limitation on licenses by population.
And there are six, Class 44 which is defined as “Plenary Retail Distribution” Shop Rite of Parsippany, Green Hill Liquors are examples of establishments with this type of license.
The issuance of new Plenary Retail Consumption Licenses (including Seasonal Licenses) and Plenary Retail Distribution Licenses is restricted by population. No new Plenary Retail Consumption License or Seasonal Retail Consumption License may be issued in a municipality unless and until the combined total number of such licenses existing in the municipality is fewer than one for each 3,000 of its population as shown by the last preceding federal census, and no Plenary Retail Distribution License may be issued in a municipality unless and until the number of such licenses existing in a municipality is fewer than one for each 7,500 of its population as shown by the last preceding federal census
PARSIPPANY — A number of students from all across New Jersey gathered at TCNJ for the annual NJASC (New Jersey Association of Student Councils) election.
This election seats the eight high school and one middle school representatives for the 2017 NJASC Board.
This year there are three students from Parsippany will hold seats on the board:
Vice President: Claire Donahue from Morris County School of Technology
Treasurer: Khalid Alzubi from Parsippany High School
State Board of Education Student Representative: Karan Chauhan from Parsippany Hills
The NJASC is certified by the New Jersey Department of Education as a Professional Development Provider. They offer programs at each seasonal conference as well as during LTC for Student Council Advisors and other educators interested in student leadership. These workshops and programs count toward the “100 Hours” Certification Requirement for Professional Development in New Jersey.
2016 – Beau Bruneau 2017 – Claire Donahue (Morris County School of Technology)
The NJASC is the oldest state Student Council Association in the United States, and has inspired the “Spirit Of New Jersey Youth” since 1927. The members are from high schools and middle schools, public and private, across the State of New Jersey.
For ninety years, the NJASC has provided thousands of students in New Jersey’s public and private schools the opportunity to discover, develop, and apply their leadership skills to serve their schools and communities.
2016 – Cindy Lin 2017 – Khalid Alzubi (PHS)
As the officially recognized state affiliate of the National Association of Student Councils (NASC), and an active member of NASC Region 2, they also organize delegations to and participation by New Jersey student leaders and advisors in such activities as LEAD Conferences and the NASC National Conference.
Ava Kathleen Rybicki 2017 – Karan Chauhan (PHHS)
The NJASC is an indispensable resource for member schools to discover new ideas and enhance their own Council Projects as well as to foster student involvement in school and community.
They also provide an opportunity for leading Student Councils to provide Student Workshops and share the great things they are doing in their schools and communities.
For more information on New Jersey Association of Student Councils, click here.
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany High School will be inducting their 2017 Hall of Fame Class on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. in the Media Center with a brief ceremony at the start of the Boys Basketball game at 7:00 p.m.
PHS would like to invite community members, alumni, parents and students to celebrate with us at this year’s induction ceremony. This year’s class consists of five impressive inductees.
The 1977 PHS Football Team The 1977 Football Team is widely regarded as the best football team in PHS history. Coming off a 2-7 season the previous season, expectations were not high for this group. Fortunately, they worked hard and banded together to finish their regular season with an Iron Hills Conference title and a perfect 9-0 record. They won their first state playoff game to advance to the Group 3, Section 2 State Finals at home versus state powerhouse Phillipsburg. In front of the largest crowd in PHS history, they lost a tough game but left their mark on the school and community. They were ranked the 2nd best team in Morris County and were heralded as one of the area’s top defenses. They succeeded under the direction of Head Coach/PHS Hall of Famer Bob Martin, and his Assistant Coaches: PHS alumni/teacher Mike Yesunas, and former PHS Athletic Director Joe Grippaldi. The roster consisted of the following players and coaches: B. Mainardi, S. Pucilowski, S. Kaufman, B. Fulton, B. Freeman, B. Picinich, B. Stivaly, T. Pucilowski, M. Caruso, S. Russo, J. Spagnola, K. Connell, R. dePierro, B. Dalrymple, H. Horowitz, T. Pine, J. Molinare, T. Gonzales, R. Scrivani, R. Aber, S. Furini, N. Stone, T. Blazier, B. Knott, J. DiGiacinto, T. Pescherine, J. Miele, R. Krush, V. Mini, S. Simonetti, G. Lepre, S. Miczak, M. Hopkins, M. Brady, K. O’Connell, A. Paradise, E. Weinstein, F. Paradise, C. Pizzi, B. Matthias M. Plath, K. Miele, E. McGarry, M. Pignatelli, T. Behrle, C. Lategano, T. Santangelo, P. DelGazio, D. Tubby, F. Bolcar, P. Fahy, J. Burke, J. Schkolnick, M. Thompson, B. Snedberg, Darrel Knops, Coach Grippaldi, Coach Yesunas, Coach Radice, Coach Martin
Joe Bernabe (Teacher)
Joe Bernabe served as the PHS Band Director for thirty-one years (1977-2008), instilling a love of music in thousands of students and inspiring dozens to pursue careers as professional musicians or music teachers. As Band Director, he prepared and conducted over 150 concerts with his students. He also served as coach of the Golf Team for many years. In his retirement, he has managed to keep in touch with PHS, attending every concert and Hall of Fame ceremony and continuing to mentor and assist the music department in any way that he can including the school’s 60th Anniversary. Mr. Bernabe was beloved by his students and colleagues for his talents, passion and his never-ending sense of humor.
LeRoy William Collins, Jr. (’78) Roy graduated from PHS with academic honors as a member of the National Honor Society, earned 7 Varsity Letters and held leadership positions in several after school activities, including INTERACT, Institute for Political and Legal Education (IPLE), and Student Council, and contributed to the Daily Record’s publication of “None Outsings Parsippany”, a history of Parsippany-Troy Hills. Upon graduation, he reported to the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT, where he earned a BS degree in Ocean Engineering and was commissioned an Ensign. During his ten-year Coast Guard career, he received several personal and unit awards; at the age of 24, was one of the youngest sea service officers to assume command afloat; and was selected to serve as a military Aide to Presidents Reagan and Bush. He subsequently transitioned to private industry where he has assumed executive leadership positions in the defense/aerospace industry, pioneered the delivery of internet services via satellite, and earned an MBA. He currently serves as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Senior Advisor contributing to the agency’s space-based environmental monitoring mission (i.e. weather) by managing satellite acquisition programs, international partnerships, and science-based climatic research. Roy is an international cycling enthusiast who has competed in numerous endurance cycling events, such as the Race Across America (RAAM), where he and his team hold the world record for the Oceanside, CA to Annapolis, MD (3010 miles) race in under 5.5 days, has served as the US Naval Academy’s cycling team Head Coach for the past 9 years, earning 6 ACC Division 1 Conference Champion and National Championship Titles, and mentors his Nationally ranked son (or is mentored by him). He, his wife Kim, and son, Ryan, currently reside in Annapolis, MD.
Fei-Fei Li (’95) When Fei-Fei Li moved to New Jersey from China when she was 16 years old, and she couldn’t speak a word of English. However, despite this disadvantage, and through an incredible amount of diligence, she graduated sixth in her class gained acceptance to Princeton University where she received a BA in Physics. She then earned her MS and her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology. Fei-Fei has had a successful career teaching at the college level: Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in both the Psychology and Electrical and Computer Engineering Departments; Assistant Professor at Princeton University in the Psychology and Computer Science Departments; and Assistant Professor and, currently as an Associate Professor at Stanford University in the Computer Science Department. Fei-Fei’s accomplishments are astounding. She is currently the Director of Stanford’s Artificial Intelligence Lab (SAIL), and she is one of the Directors for the SAIL OutReach Summer Program, designed to reach out to rising 10th grade girls and expose them to the world of Artificial Intelligence (Al). Fei-Fei also leads the partnership between Stanford and Toyota, along with MIT, where the focus of the partnership is on Al – assisted driving. She is also the Director for the Stanford Vision Lab, which explores issues in computer and human vision. In March of 2015, Fei-Fei gave a TED talk describing the way we teach computers to understand pictures as humans do; this video has been viewed over 1.7 million times. She was recently named one of our country’s 2016 Great Immigrants by the Carnegie Corporation, and she was interviewed by CNN about her life story. Fei-Fei has given dozens of keynote speeches, talks and seminars around the world. She has been the Chair, Co-Chair, or organizer of more than two dozen committees and workshops. She has co-authored more than a hundred papers, journals and book chapters in addition to numerous.
Bob Sabella (Teacher) Bob Sabella was a Mathematics teacher in the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District for 31 years; he taught at Parsippany High School for 23 of those years serving as Lead Teacher of the Math Department for all of them. An accomplished teacher and leader in the District, Bob held numerous positions and won numerous awards over the years, including the Distinguished Faculty Award in 2001, Vice President of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association, Co-Director of the Iron Hills Conference Math League; chairing the Parsippany High School Middle States Steering Committee in 1989-1990. Bob was also a published writer, with numerous articles in the New Jersey Mathematics Teacher, Who Shaped Science Fiction and co-edited Nanking 1937: Memory and Healing. But where Bob really stood out was in his love and advocacy for his students. Despite the fact that his standards and expectations for his students were extremely high (his students’ AP scores can attest to that), he was beloved by the students he taught and/or mentored. A long-time advisor to the Indian Cultural Club and the Asian American Club (in addition to the Math Team, of course), he celebrated the diversity that is the student body of PHS.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chief Rudolph Appelmann of the Montville Township Police Department announce that Jason Fennes, 42, of Bloomfield, was sentenced by the Honorable Stephen J. Taylor, P.J.Cr., to 14 years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, Parole Supervision for Life and Megan’s Law.
The Defendant pleaded guilty on September 22, 2016 to two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault, crimes of the first degree in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(a)1 and N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(a)2(b), and three counts of Sexual Assault, in violation of N.J.S 2C:14-2(b), crimes of the second degree.
The crimes committed by Defendant came to light in December 2011 when a 13-year-old female reported that she had been sexually abused by Defendant when she was a student in his first grade class at William Mason School in Montville. Defendant was arrested on this charge on March 2, 2012. Thereafter, three additional victims disclosed that they had been sexually assaulted by Defendant while students in his first grade class in William Mason School. The assaults on the victims at the William Mason School occurred between 2005 and 2008. A fourth victim also came forward and reported that she had been sexually assaulted by Defendant when she was 14 years old and Defendant was her track coach at Butler High School during the 1996-1997 school year.
At the time of the plea, Defendant admitted in court to acts of sexual penetration with two victims and acts of sexual contact with the remaining three. All acts occurred while he was in a supervisory position, either as a track coach or a teacher.
Defendant has also pled guilty in Somerset County to a separate count of Sexual Assault upon a child. He is pending sentencing on that matter, which is being prosecuted by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Meg Rodriguez represented the State in these proceedings.
Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the Montville Township Police Department, specifically Captain Andrew Caggiano and Sergeant Christopher Keezer, as well as the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit for their combined efforts in this matter.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office encourages anyone with additional information related to these allegations and/or this Defendant to contact Lieutenant Steven Brylinski of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit at (973) 285-6200.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Tyhan Lighty, 45, with a last known address in Orange, has been sentenced to ten years New Jersey State Prison with 85% parole ineligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act following his guilty plea to Armed Robbery, a crime of the first degree. The charges stem from a crime that occurred on May 18, 2014, in the parking garage of the Morristown Medical Center complex on Madison Avenue, Morristown.
The investigation originated from a May 18, 2014, report of an armed robbery in the parking garage of the Morristown Medical Center. Information revealed that a male who was armed with a handgun entered a parking lot complex office and demanded money from an employee. The suspect then fled the location.
During the robbery, the suspect used plastic zip ties to attempt to bind the victim’s wrists. Several of these zip ties were recovered from the scene by investigators and were submitted to the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences for examination. Forensic scientists identified DNA on a zip tie from the scene and concluded that Tyhan Lighty was the source of the DNA. On June 18, 2015, Lighty was arrested on an outstanding complaint-warrant related to this incident and was lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility, where he remained on bail until sentencing.
On December 6, 2016, Lighty pled guilty to Armed Robbery before the Honorable Thomas J. Critchley, J.S.C. At the time of the plea, Lighty admitted that he went to a parking garage at Morristown Medical Center, demanded money from the victim, and showed the victim a silver handgun to place her in fear.
Lighty appeared for sentencing before the Honorable Thomas J. Critchley, J.S.C. on January 20, 2017. The State was represented by Assistant Prosecutors Christopher Schellhorn and Sean Gaynor at sentencing.
Prosecutor Knapp stated: “This case was solved by outstanding police work performed by several different agencies. We thank all of them for their cooperation. All are to be commended.”
Prosecutor Knapp would like to acknowledge the Morristown Bureau of Police, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Section, the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Victim/Witness Unit for their collective efforts in securing this conviction.
PARSIPPANY — Gregory Chandi Persaud passed away Saturday, January 14 at the U.H.S. Wilson Medical Center in Johnson City, New York following an automobile accident in Binghamton, NY. Gregory was 19.
Born in Toronto, Canada, Gregory immigrated to the United States at the age of 4. He had lived in Bloomfield before coming to Parsippany in 2005.
Gregory was a 2014 graduate of Parsippany Hills High School where he had played on the Varsity Soccer Team. He was currently matriculated at the County College of Morris.
He had been a volunteer at the Morristown Medical Center.
Gregory is survived by his mother, Janet Persaud of Parsippany; his father, Vish Mangru of Toronto, Canada; his maternal grandparents, Deo and Kowsilla Persaud of St. Petersburg, Florida; his paternal grandmother, Rose Mangru of Toronto, Canada; his aunt, Annette Persaud-Jairam and her husband Amar; his uncle, Premanand D. Persaud; his aunt, Sunita Singh and her husband Rajin, his uncle, Radha Persaud and his wife Ram, his aunt, Pearly Rambhaj and her husband Harold, and his aunt, Joan Ackloo and her husband Rudy; and his cousins, Ryan and Kevin Jairam, Sean, Nicole and Christine Singh, Andrew and Natasha Persaud, Anthony Rambhaj, and Sabrina and Kenny Ackloo.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Gregory Chandi Persaud click here.
Visiting hours are from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Friday, January 20 at Stephen J. Priola Parsippany Funeral Service, 60 North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha.
PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, January 14,Selimo Chiropractic and Eye Level participated in “Staples Small Business Showcase,” sponsored by the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.”
Once a month, Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the “Staples Small Business Showcase” where local merchants have a table and can greet the customers of Staples and talk about their products and services and give out samples.
Dr. Patrick Selimo, Selimo Chiropractic, is pictured above talking to area residents about the services his practice offers. Selimo Chiropractic is located at 125 Madison Street, Boonton and can be reached by calling (973) 917-8451.
Dr. Patrick M. Selimo is Structural Chiropractor serving a number of towns in the County. Dr. Pat did his undergraduate coursework at William Paterson College, focusing on studies in Communication. He then attended Life University in Marietta, Georgia, where he graduated in 2001 with a Doctorate in Chiropractic.
Taking an engineer’s approach to analyzing and correcting spinal deficiencies, he sets his practice apart from other healthcare professionals. The typical approach with doctors, physical therapists, massage therapist and conventional chiropractors, is to focus on addressing pain and symptoms. At Selimo Chiropractic the focus is on stabilizing & correcting the underlying problem, which is often the cause of your secondary conditions (symptoms). By creating a strategy centered around precise structural and radiographic analysis, 3-dimensional postural analysis, specific spinal adjustments, corrective exercises and patient education, the goal is to improve function and ultimately keep you healthier.
Dr. Selimo is a native of New Jersey and currently resides in Lake Hiawatha with his wife Tricia and their two cats. In his free time he enjoys public speaking, kayaking, spending time outdoors and reading.
Dr. Pat has also had the good fortune of being able to give back to the community on several occasions with volunteer activities.
Selimo Chiropractic is a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce.
Robert Peluso, President Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce, said “This is a great opportunity for chamber members to display their goods and services to the customers of Staples and to increase their brand awareness.”
This monthly event, “Staples Business Showcase” is available to all PACC members and local non-profit groups.
For more information on “Staples Small Business Showcase” please contact Frank Cahill at (973) 402-6400 or email flcahill@parsippanychamber.org.
PARSIPPANY — Freedom Quilt Project – In honor of Martin Luther King Day, children of any age colored a paper quilt square to add to the bulletin board in theLake Hiawatha Children’s Department.
The quilt square patterns represent secret messages designed to help slaves travel safely to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
At theParsippany Library on Wednesday, January 17, the Children’s Department held the program – All About Martin Luther King, Jr., children listened to stories about Martin Luther King, Jr. and made the attached Peace themed craft.
PARSIPPANY — On Tuesday, January 9, 2017, Brian M. Rader, Esq., on behalf of a number of plaintiffs, filed a Verified Complaint and Order to Show Cause seeking an injunction of the Lake Parsippany assessment program.
On Tuesday, January 17, 2017, the parties appeared in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Morris Vicinage.
The Court granted the injunction and suspended the assessment program. Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association (LPPOA) is not permitted to send further bills, invoices or engage in collection actions against individuals.
Any payments that the Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association receives in connection with the assessment program from any lot owner will be held in an attorney escrow account pending the final outcome of the case.
“This is a tremendous step in the right direction because prior to granting an injunction, a court must consider the merits of the case, and determine whether the plaintiffs have a reasonable likelihood of success. Our position remains legally meritorious. Simply, there is no basis to implement an assessment against property owners who do not own property in a common-interest community, and who derive no benefit from facilities that can be utilized by any individual, whether they reside in Lake Parsippany or otherwise. The LPPOA cannot benefit from its own destruction of Lake Parsippany, ” said Brian M. Rader, Esq.
PARSIPPANY — The Woman’s Club of Parsippany Troy Hills (WCPTH) held its Second Annual Spelling Bee, on Sunday, January 15.
Twenty-seven students were selected from area Fifth Grade Elementary Schools to participate in the Spelling Bee, which was held at Parsippany Library.
Over 100 parents and family members watched the students. Judging the event were: Greg Elbin, retired teacher and President of Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, Dee Ernst, local author, and William Westhoven, reporter at Gannett NJ Daily Record. Diana Freidinger, WCPTH club member was the Moderator and club member Marianne Burke was the Pronouncer.
Marianne Burke explaining the Spelling Bee Rules to the contestants. WCPTH Club President Marilyn Marion assisted
After 11 exciting rounds the First Place winner was Kaydine Gonzalez from Lake Parsippany Elementary School. Second Place winner was Ronin Wani from Troy Hills Elementary School and Kimberly Lan from Lake Hiawatha Elementary School was Third place winner. The winners are invited to participate in the New Jersey State Federated Women’s Club (NJSFWC) Regional Spelling Bee on February Fourth in Rockaway. The Regional winners will then be invited to the State Championship at the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC (NJSFWC) Headquarters on March 4.
The Woman’s Club of Parsippany-Troy Hills is a member of NJSFWC, which is the largest volunteer women’s service organization in the state, providing opportunities for education, leadership training, and community service. The next General Meeting, which is open to area women, will be held on Monday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Lake Parsippany Rescue & Recovery, 100 Centerton Dr., Parsippany. For more information call Cathy at (973) 984-0758, e-mail the club at womansclubofpth@gmail.com or click here to view website.
WHARTON — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Wharton Borough Police Chief Anthony Fernandez announce that law enforcement authorities responded to the Brentwood Garden Apartments in Wharton Borough for a death investigation. The Morris County Sheriff’s Office crime scene unit and bomb squad is assisting in the investigation. The bomb squad responded to the scene and rendered the scene safe for law enforcement to conduct its investigation. There is no immediate danger to the adjacent community.
This investigation remains active and ongoing. As such, no additional information will be released at this time.
MOUNTAIN LAKES — The Lakeland Hills Family YMCA is once again proud to recognize individuals, groups and organizations for outstanding community service.
Nominations and applications for the annual community service awards for the Lakeland Hills Family YMCA open on February 1 and close on April 1.
Click here to nominate a high school senior; Click here to nominate an eighth-grade student; To nominate for Citizen of the Year Click here. For educators of the year nominations, click here.
All nominations and scholarship applications are available online; the only award eligible by written form is Citizen of the Year. We have made the application process as simple as possible, including direct upload of letters of reference for our student awards.
Our Annual Dinner and Awards Presentation will be held on Wednesday, May 17 at 6:00 p.m. at the Knoll Country Club West, Parsippany.
Please contact Rosemary Linder Day at (973) 334-2820 or email by clicking hereif you require any further information.
This is the time to recognize an individual who has performed community service for any organization, club, non-profit, school, etc.
Additionally, they acknowledge stellar teachers for our Educator(s) of the Year. Winners will be announced on April 15, and will be guests of Lakeland Hills Family YMCA at the Annual Dinner.
HANOVER — Wegmans Food Markets is now hiring and training more than 300 part-time employees for its first location in northern New Jersey. The long-awaited 113,000 square-foot supermarket, plus 15,000 square feet that will be leased to a third-party owner for a wine, beer, and spirits shop,will open in Hanover’s Mack-Cali campus at the intersection of I-287 and Route 10 this summer.
Job openings span a variety of part-time customer service and culinary positions across every department. Hiring for full-time jobs began in 2016 and select full-time openings remain. Applicants are encouraged to apply online at www.wegmans.com/careers, or call (973) 490-2500 for more information. Applications are not accepted at the store or construction site. Interviews are conducted at a temporary employment office in Parsippany.
“New employees start work soon after they’re hired because we begin training long before the store opens,” said Wegmans Store Manager and 27-year employee Tim Lockwood. “Wegmans is widely known for being a great place to work, offering competitive pay and benefits, and flexible scheduling. Many of our leaders started with the company part time as a first job and went on to attend college with tuition assistance from our employee scholarship program.”
The Wegmans Employee Scholarship Program is a unique point of pride for the family-owned company. Since the program began in 1984, more than 33,000 employees have been awarded scholarships totaling $105 million.
Wegmans Hanover will employ approximately 500 people, 425 of whom will be new to the company and hired locally. The store will feature The Burger Bar, a family-friendly, casual restaurant counter that serves delicious burgers, fresh salads, flavorful sandwiches, specialty milkshakes, soups, and sides.
Wegmans operates seven stores in New Jersey. When the new store opens in Hanover, the company will have created more than 4,800 jobs in the state since opening its Princeton location in 1999. That number will continue to increase with another new store slated to open in Montvale this fall.
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a 92-store supermarket chain with stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. The family-owned company, recognized as an industry leader and innovator, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016. Wegmans has been named one of the ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ by FORTUNE magazine for 19 consecutive years, ranking #4 in 2016.
PARSIPPANY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Chatham Township Police Chief Steven Hennelly announce that law enforcement authorities are currently investigating an early morning report of shots fired in Chatham Township.
As a result of this call, law enforcement responded to the area of Susan Drive. Upon arrival, they encountered a suspect in the roadway. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.
This investigation remains active and ongoing. As such, no additional information will be released at this time. However, it appears that this is an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public.
This matter is being investigated by members of the Chatham Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Criminal Investigation Section, and the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Chatham Township Police Department at (973) 377-0100, or the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon confirm the death of an inmate on Friday, January 13 at the Morris County Correctional Facility.
The inmate, who had been admitted to the Correctional Facility during the early morning hours of January 12, 2017, was discovered this morning within his cell by staff members. Medical aid was rendered without success.
The investigation into this incident is being conducted by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office.
This investigation is ongoing, and the Cause and Manner of Death are pending the findings of the Morris County Medical Examiner. The identity of the decedent is not being released at this time, pending proper notifications to the decedent’s next of kin.
PARSIPPANY — On Tuesday, January 10, the Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association (LPPOA) attempted to hold a meeting regarding the implemented mandatory easement assessment on all properties within the original purchase tract of Lake Parsippany. This includes 2,204 property owners of the original purchase tract of Lake Parsippany whose deeds provide for such access.
The Parsippany Police Department arrived at approximately 8:00 p.m., just a half-hour after the start of the meeting, and told the crowd of over 400 residences to leave because of overcrowding. The gym at Lake Parsippany School has a capacity of 362 people.
There was also a meeting scheduled for Friday, January 13 which has been canceled until a larger venue is secured.
In October 2016 members who paid the membership fees for Calendar Year 2016 voted on the assessment fees. The vote was 101 for the mandatory easement and 16 against mandatory easement. The remaining 2,087 residents were not allowed to attend any of the original meetings and were not allowed to vote. Less than 5% of the residents affected by the mandatory easement were permitted to vote.
Cedarcrest Property Management, hired by LPPOA, sent the 2,204 residents an “invoice as of 12/31/16”, for $115.00. The invoice further states that “payment is due January 31, 2017.” The Invoice was accompanied by correspondence which indicated that if payment is not received by March 15, 2017, “a late notice will be mailed to include a $25.00 late fee asking for payment immediately.” However, there is no contract between the parties, and no statute, that would authorize the LPPOA to charge any late fee. The threat of a $25.00 late fee was intentional and was intended to intimidate and harass the property owners into paying the Assessment.
Lake Parsippany
The LPPOA is a shell of an entity that exists to operate a social club that is comprised, significantly, of individuals who are not even Lot Owners. Under the circumstances, the LPPOA has no authority to levy the Assessment against the Lot Owners and has no authority to institute collection actions against the Lot Owners for non-payment.
A dozen neighbors in Lake Parsippany, including Mary Purzycki, decided in October 2016 after the LPPOA membership voted to impose a mandatory assessment fee on the 2,204 property owners, to form a group to seek legal advise. The “No Assessment Group” decided to pursue a legal representation on this issue.
The group was formed by Lake Parsippany resident, Mary Purzycki who lived here for 46 years and served on the Lake Parsippany Property Owners Association Board of Directors for ten years, and was a representative to the Coalition of Lake Associations. At one of the Coalition’s meetings the Easement Assessment Theory was presented, she brought the information back to the LPPOA Board of Directors. The board agreed to investigate the assessment theory.
She said “After much thought, she knew it would put a financial burden on a majority of the people living in the lake. The Broad decided after reviewing not to pursue the idea any further.”
“The conclusion the board came to then, in my mind, has not changed today. The fact that low and moderate-income families moved here because of the affordable housing market, has not changed. In addition, most senior citizens are on fixed incomes, and some families live from paycheck to paycheck that has not changed,” said Purzycki.
She continued “The LPPOA did not take any of these factors into consideration when they voted to impose this mandatory assessment fee. The fact some people cannot afford the extra $115.00 fee expense was not considered. It should have been one of their primary concerns. The fact that the 2,204 voices of the residents were not heard or cared about is unconscionable. It is unfortunate that the association did not realize that people should come first and the association’s possible financial problems are second to that. The community is now divided. This assessment fee has only promoted animosity and hostility. It is time to stop the assessment fee and bring back the united friendly neighborhood, I knew and love.”
After reviewing the options, the group decided to retain the services of Brian Rader, Esq. from the law firm of Jardim, Meisner & Susser to represent them.
On Monday, January 9 a “Memorandum of Law in support of the Owners’ Order to Show Cause” was filed in the Morris County Superior Court.
On Tuesday, January 10 the LPPOA was served the legal documents at 7:00 p.m. The Morris County Superior Court has ordered both parties to appear next week before Judge Brennan.
“For decades, the Lake Parsippany Property Owners’ Association, Inc. (“LPPOA”) has taken every imaginable step to alter, amend and abolish the neighborhood scheme that was originally intended for Lake Parsippany. Now, the LPPOA is seeking to hold all individuals who live within the original bounds of Lake Parsippany financially accountable for maintaining Lake Parsippany and its common facilities. While the LPPOA is attempting to enforce a common-interest based legal theory, the LPPOA itself is responsible for its abolition, and due to the actions of the LPPOA, Lake Parsippany is not recognized as a common-interest community. We allege that the actions of the LPPOA are not only immoral, but improper as a matter of law and equity, and we are seeking a declaratory judgment stating the same,” saidBrian M. Rader, Esquire.
The Cedar Crest Property Management sent out the invoices for the mandatory assessment fee along with notice of late payment details and costs. The invoices were sent to the residents before LPPOA held any meetings to discuss the assessment with the 2,204 affected residents.
If you would like more information on the “No Assessment Group,” you can email noeasment@gmail.com or call (973) 220-2378. Please include in your email your first and last name, address, phone number, and email address. You will be contacted within 24 hours.
Currently, LPPOA has no President. The following is a list of officers:
TRENTON — Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno will soon file paperwork and formally throw her hat in the ring in New Jersey’s race for governor, according to several reports. The Asbury Park Press and Politico New Jersey reported Thursday morning that Gov. Chris Christie’s second in command, long rumored to be vying for the Republican nomination, would…
MORRIS COUNTY — Freeholders Doug Cabana of Boonton Township, Kathy DeFillippo of Roxbury, and Tom Mastrangelo of Montville were sworn in to new three-year terms on the county governing board on Friday January 7, with oaths of office administered by New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno at the freeholders’ annual reorganization meeting in Morristown.
Senator Joe Pennacchio swears in John Cesaro and his wife Melissa holds the bible during the reorganization meeting of the Morris County Freeholders
Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco swears in freeholder Douglas Cabana as Freeholder Director
New Morris County Sheriff James Gannon with his 4-month-old grandson Luca after he was sworn
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno swearing in Sheriff James Gannon; His daughter Kate DeSantis, grandson Luca, 4-months and son-in-law Matt looks on
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno with Sheriff James Gannon
Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno congratulates freeholder Thomas Mastrangelo after she swore him in to a new term
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno swears in Freeholder Kathy DeFillippo
Freeholder Director Doug Cabana
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno swears in Doug Cabana
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco
Morris Plains Mayor Frank J. Druetzler with Sheriff Gannon
Parsippany Council Vice President Robert Peluso with Sheriff Gannon
Freeholder Cabana was elected by his peers as the new Freeholder Director while Freeholder John Cesaro of Parsippany will serve as Deputy Director.
Also, new Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon took his oath – twice. Gannon, a 55-year-old widower who waged his first political campaign to win the Republican nomination in June for sheriff and the general election in November to succeed retired, 24-year Sheriff Edward V. Rochford as the county’s 77th sheriff. Gannon, who is a retired deputy chief of investigations for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, will be paid $140,364 annually and has frozen his $78,000 annual law enforcement pension so it will not be collected during his three-year term. Gannon also was a member of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and was head of global security risk for the pharmaceutical conglomerate Novartis.
The first was at a ceremony in the historic Morris County Courthouse and was administered by Morris-Sussex Counties Superior Court Assignment Judge Stuart A. Minkowitz and attended by a host of political dignitaries, including former Gov. and State Sen. Richard Cody.
Lt. Gov. Guadagno did the ceremonial honors for Gannon a second time at the freeholders’ annual meeting.
Other members of the 2016 Morris County Board of Freeholders include Hank Lyon of Parsippany, Christine Myers of Mendham, and Deborah Smith of Denville.
“We are all elected to office because of a truest placed in us by those who elect us. A trust to make the right decisions, a trust to keep our promises,’’ said Freeholder Director Cabana.
“My goals and those of my fellow Freeholders in 2017 are to make the right decisions to benefit all residents of Morris County, to keep close watch on spending in while delivering critical public safety and quality of life services for our residents.’’
Preserve the county’s top-ranked Triple A bond rating, and maintain the county’s prudent and responsible financing and budgeting;
Provide and seek out shared services agreements with our municipalities, independent agencies and authorities, and neighboring counties to make more effective use of taxpayers’ dollars through more efficient government;
Carefully and professionally market the Request for Proposals process in selecting a qualified and responsible provider for future services at the county’s Morris View Healthcare Center, with patient care as the top priority;
Make maintaining and improving the county’s roads infrastructure a continuing priority in 2017, with some 30 miles of roads targeted for work;
Thoroughly monitor and respond to the costly demands of the state’s new bail reform act and its speedy trial requirements. The county will work closely with the New Jersey Association of Counties to ensure that the state pays as much of these costs as possible.
Cabana announced the roll-out of the county’s new EMS Service. It will offer much needed assistance to municipalities in providing basic emergency response, especially during daytime hours when many of our towns do not have enough volunteers or resources to handle emergency medical situations.
In 2017, the freeholder public work sessions will be held at 9:30 a.m. and the regular public meetings will start at 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. A list of meeting dates can be found on the county government calendar by clicking here.
Freeholder Hank Lyon of Parsippany is up for re-election this year and Democrat Rozella Clyde of Chatham, part of a team that was defeated in the November election by the incumbents, has already launched her campaign for 2017.
