JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — The Township Council unanimously approved a new contract with the Jefferson Township Police Department’s Policemen’s Benevolent Association (PBA) Local 190 at its meeting on Wednesday, October 7. The contract will remain in place until December 31, 2029. The department’s previous contract expired December 31, 2025.

Township Business Administrator Deb Millikin spoke at the end of the meeting to thank the police for their role in the negotiating process.

“I just want to say thank you to PBA Local 190 for the negotiations of this contract. I think the negotiating team,” Millikin said. “This was the first PBA contract that I didn’t have to bring in the attorneys to kind of settle. We worked through it over the 7 months and I just want to thank you guys for your patience and thank you for all you do.”

Officers will be paid retroactively to account for the expiration of the previous contract in December.

The newly approved salary guide is as follows:

Hired On or Before August 1, 2011

Hired On or After August 2, 2011

JEFFERSON — An off-duty federal immigration agent was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated after a disturbance outside McKenna’s Pub in the Lake Hopatcong section of the township early Tuesday, August 25, according to Jefferson Township Police Department reports.

Michael A. Sclafani, 37, an agent with United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was charged after police said he activated the emergency lights on his government vehicle and pulled it into the roadway outside the bar on Espanong Road.

Jefferson Township Police responded at 12:24 a.m. to a report of a fight in progress at the bar. While officers were on the way, dispatch relayed reports that a gun had been brandished and that someone appeared to be impersonating a law enforcement officer in an unmarked sport utility vehicle with red and blue lights. Additional units were requested from surrounding jurisdictions, and officers from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office and the Mount Arlington Police Department arrived first and detained two men.

Officer Shane Cadigan reported that Sclafani was detained in front of a Dodge Durango with its red and blue emergency lights activated. With Sclafani’s consent, Officer Cadigan retrieved his driver’s license from the vehicle and observed an emergency light control system, a mobile computer and a green law enforcement duty vest marked “Immigration and Customs Enforcement” on the front passenger seat. Officers also found an ICE badge and federal identification cards confirming Sclafani was a federal employee.

According to the reports, the bartender and multiple patrons told police that nothing happened inside the bar and that the confrontation took place outside. Only one person on scene reported seeing a gun, and police described that account as inconsistent. A check of the parking lot turned up nothing of evidentiary value, including no firearms, and the second man who had been detained was released after police determined he did not appear to be the aggressor.

Sclafani told officers he was scared, left the bar and activated his emergency lights, pulling his vehicle into the street in the hope that a Jefferson police officer would notice and come to his aid. He told police he identified himself as a police officer in an attempt to control the situation, and said he never saw a firearm.

Officer Matthew Johnson reported that Sclafani had slurred speech, swayed while standing, kept his feet wide apart for balance, leaned on vehicles for support and had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. Sclafani refused to perform standard field sobriety tests. Based on officers’ observations and Sclafani’s own admissions to drinking and driving, he was placed under arrest.

A search of the government vehicle turned up a carton of Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA on the passenger-side floor containing one closed bottle and two empty bottles, along with another closed bottle in the center console cup holder.

At Jefferson Police Headquarters, Sclafani was read the New Jersey Attorney General’s Standard Statement for Motor Vehicle Operators. When asked to provide breath samples for the Alcotest 9510, he replied, “No sir,” and when asked again, “No.”

Sergeant Chris Smolt contacted Sclafani’s supervisor at the Department of Homeland Security’s Newark office. Officer Cadigan secured the vehicle until federal agents arrived to retrieve it, along with Sclafani’s service weapon, which was locked in a safe in the rear of the vehicle. The agents then collected Sclafani’s government credentials at police headquarters.

Sclafani was charged with:

• Driving While Intoxicated (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50)
• Reckless Driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-96)
• Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle (N.J.S.A. 39:4-51b)
• Refusal to Submit to Breath Testing (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.2)

He was released to the care of a family member.

Editor’s Note: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — Olive and Oak Lakefront Kitchen, a new restaurant in Oak Ridge, celebrated its grand opening on Thursday, October 8. Jefferson Township Mayor Eric Wilsusen, Councilwoman Melissa Senatore and Councilwoman Yvonne Ioffredo were in attendance as many township residents got their first glimpse of the new spot at 11 Moquis Trail.

“We support our business, we want to see you grow and thrive, and I think you are going to do great things,” Wilsusen said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We look forward to coming here and enjoying a great meal. Thank you for choosing Jefferson, and we wish you all the best of luck and future success.”

For new owner Lav Sabani, the restaurant is deeply personal. His father and uncles ran the original business at the site, and Sabani said the place has always felt like home to him.

Olive and Oak will offer an upscale experience, but Sabani stressed that it is not meant only for special occasions. He plans to set it apart from the original restaurant by pairing a fine-dining atmosphere with a welcoming, family-friendly feel.

“Some people may think it’s a little too uppity,” Sabani said. “No, it is for everyone.”

Hours

• Monday and Wednesday through Friday: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Saturday: 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Tuesday: Closed

For more information, call (973) 320-0400 or click here to visit the restaurant’s website.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — The Jefferson Township Haunted House is seeking volunteers to help bring this year’s attraction to life, with the event set for Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18 at Camp Jefferson, 81 Weldon Road, Lake Hopatcong.

Organizers welcome students, adults, Halloween lovers, actors, artists and anyone looking for a creative passion project. While local students are encouraged to join the team, organizers rely heavily on adult volunteers.

Students in fifth grade and up may serve as scare actors on the haunted hayride, and students in seventh grade and up may serve as scare actors inside the haunted house. All students in eighth grade and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Volunteer meetings are held every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Lodge at Camp Jefferson.

Anyone interested in volunteering may email [email protected].

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — Treasure hunters can head to Oak Ridge and Lake Hopatcong this weekend for the Fall Town-Wide Garage Sale, with sales at homes throughout the township.

The sale runs Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Shoppers can view all participating locations and plan their garage-sale route using the township’s online map. Click here to view the map.

Residents who want their sale included on the map must email [email protected] by Friday, October 9, at 3:00 p.m.

Happy hunting, Jefferson!