JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP — Jefferson Township Council Meeting – September 2, 2026.
Jefferson Township Welcomes New Municipal Clerk Jo Anna Myung
JEFFERSON — Jo Anna Myung has been officially sworn in as Jefferson Township’s new Municipal Clerk, taking the Oath of Office during the Township Council meeting held on Tuesday, September 2.
Myung was officially issued the Oath of Office by Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling.
Letter to the Editor: Jefferson Township Vendor Spending Raises Transparency Concerns
Dear Editor:
I write to you today as a property taxpayer and resident of Jefferson Township. I would like to shine a light on a Township business practice that has come to my attention. Per Local Public Contracts Law Regulation Manual, Subchapter 8, 5:34-8.3(f), Notes 1 thru 4. This regulation controls the rules as applies to aggregation which means the continued procurement by a municipality or “local authority” from a single repeat vendor.
This is concerning the bid threshold as established by “Appendix A” of the regulation. This law was created so that an elected body of Councilmembers can oversee the spending patterns of their local government’s administration.
If and when an aggregate spending stream exceeds the established bid threshold the township administration needs to produce a resolution to be adopted by the Council to give permission to spend an aggregate amount to a repeat vendor before the procurement is to be made.
Over the course of the last 7 years, our Township administration has produced (8) large, intermittent, round-numbered resolutions to the exact same vendor, Atlantic Communications:
- #18-142 – $300,000
- #19-58 – $150,000
- #20-62 – $150,000
- #22-55 – $150,000
- #23-92 – $150,000
- #23-292 – $60,000
- #24-80 – $240,000
- #25-266 – $240,000
Totaling $1,440,000 which now cannot be traced to any Purchase Order template nor are we the taxpayers able to reconcile these monies to any specific items or services except to know that they were spent at Atlantic Communications.
The purpose of adopting resolutions made to be approved by the Council for aggregate expenses above the Appendix A bid threshold is so that we can know down to the penny the specific purpose for the aggregate purchase and the itemized costs of each item and/or service procured.
Also, the round nature of the resolution amounts would lead one to believe that the administration is, in fact, attempting to absolve itself of exceeding the bid threshold before Council has the legal opportunity to oversee and approve the aggregate expense. Either way what I am attempting to convey here is a rational need to be able to keep a real accounting of our public treasury. In my experience with other municipalities, Council resolutions created to authorize aggregate expenses are very concise much like the one produced by this administration in 2024. #24-256 in the amount of $231,262.93 which was adopted by Council for the procurement of the Zetron 911 call answering system. This is an example of a properly executed, accountable Resolution that can be reconciled by taxpayers. This process is necessary for the image of transparency for us to be certain of what our administration is doing with our public treasury. I thank you for your attention in this matter.
Yours truly,
Christian E. Barranco
Editors Note: This letter was addressed to Township of Jefferson Administration, as a follow up to a “Letter to the Editor” from 10/2025.
Rockaway Township Police Officer Charged
MORRIS COUNTY — Donald J. Reddin, 34, of Wharton, has been charged by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office in connection with alleged obstruction of a criminal investigation, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll and Acting Chief of Detectives Mark Castellano said.
Reddin was employed as a Rockaway Township police officer at the time of the offense and is currently suspended without pay.
Reddin is alleged to have provided privileged information to the subject of a criminal investigation. Authorities allege that on Thursday, March 12, Reddin informed the subject not to leave his residence due to police activity in the area, which negatively affected the execution of a search warrant during the investigation.
On Monday, August 31, Reddin was charged by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office by way of a summons complaint with the following:
- Obstruction of a Government Operation, a fourth degree offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:29-1A)
- Conspiracy to Distribute a Controlled Dangerous Substance, a third degree offense (N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2A(1))
Reddin was processed and released pending a court appearance.
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.
Lake Hopatcong Man Arrested on Outstanding Warrant, Driving While Suspended
DENVILLE — Officers from the Denville Police Department arrested a Lake Hopatcong man on an outstanding warrant after a motor vehicle stop on Route 46 East last Monday.
At approximately 5:00 p.m., officers stopped a vehicle driven by Curtis Primus, 25, after observing numerous motor vehicle violations. During the stop, officers determined Primus was operating the vehicle while his driver’s license was suspended and discovered he had an active warrant out of Teaneck Township Municipal Court.
Primus was arrested on the outstanding warrant and transported to Denville Police Headquarters for processing. He was issued the following motor vehicle summonses:
- Driving While Suspended (N.J.S.A. 39:3-40)
- Improper Display of Plates (N.J.S.A. 39:3-33)
After posting bail, Primus was released pending future court appearances in Denville Municipal Court and Teaneck Township Municipal Court.
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.
East Orange Man Charged With DWI After Interstate 80 Stop in Denville
MORRIS COUNTY — A Denville Police officer arrested an East Orange man early Friday, August 28, after stopping his vehicle on Interstate 80 West for multiple motor vehicle violations.
At approximately 2:15 a.m., the officer conducted a motor vehicle stop after observing numerous violations. During the stop, officers identified the driver as Isaiah Martinez Rodriguez, 34, of East Orange, and observed signs of possible impairment. Rodriguez was placed under arrest following standardized field sobriety testing and transported to Denville Police Headquarters for processing.
Rodriguez was issued the following summonses:
- Driving While Intoxicated (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50)
- Careless Driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-97)
- Failure to Maintain Lane (N.J.S.A. 39:4-88)
- Reckless Driving (N.J.S.A. 39:4-96)
- Failure to Use Lighted Lamps When Required (N.J.S.A. 39:3-47A)
- Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle (N.J.S.A. 39:4-51B)
- No Liability Insurance (N.J.S.A. 39:6B-2)
Rodriguez was released pending a future court date in Denville Municipal Court.
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.
“Tastefully British” Fish and Chips Dinner Set for Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church
JEFFERSON — Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church will host a Fish and Chips Dinner prepared by “Tastefully British” on Saturday, September 12, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Parish House on Oak Ridge Road.
The meal will feature a choice of fish or chicken, served with coleslaw, a roll, and dessert. Both dine-in and take-out options will be available. Tickets are $23.00 per person, with cash or check accepted.
Tickets must be purchased by September 9. Reservations can be made by calling 973-697-7775. Tickets may be picked up at the Parish House Mondays and Thursdays between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Briarcliff Commons Shopping Center Sells for $60.5 Million
MORRIS PLAINS — The Briarcliff Commons outdoor shopping center is selling for $60.5 million to an undisclosed buyer, according to Urban Edge Properties, which owns the strip mall and other shopping centers around New Jersey.
Briarcliff Commons is situated on Route 10 in Morris Plains and features an Uncle Giuseppe’s Italian grocer, a Chick-Fil-A, Kohl’s, Crumbl Cookies, Home Towne Pet Shoppe and Chipotle.
Executives at Urban Edge Properties did not disclose the buyer. The deed transfer is not yet available among the Morris County public records, which would identify the buyer.
Urban Edge Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Olson said earlier in August that the deal was expected to close by the end of the month.
Olson said the sale is part of the mall owner’s capital recycling strategy, meaning properties that generate lower returns are sold off to acquire properties with higher return potential.
Urban Edge Properties recently purchased a mall in Virginia for $40 million, Olson said.
Jack Barna Accepted Into University Honors Program at College of Charleston
FLORHAM PARK — Jack Barna has been accepted into the University Honors Program at the College of Charleston this fall.
The University Honors Program is the oldest and most prestigious pathway within the Honors College, designed for highly motivated students who want to elevate their college experience.
As a University Honors student, Barna will have access to a dedicated four-year Honors adviser, unique classes, specialized programs, summer funding opportunities, and participation in a yearlong service-learning project called Honors Engaged.
Barna, a graduate of Seton Hall Preparatory School, is majoring in Business Administration at the College of Charleston.
The Honors College at the College of Charleston is regularly ranked among the top Honors programs in the nation and recently welcomed its largest ever first-year class, part of an initiative to provide a greater number of students with access to excellence.
More information about the Honors College experience is available at charleston.edu/honors-college.
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Mosquito Spraying Scheduled Thursday Night in Morris Plains
MORRIS PLAINS — Mosquito spraying is scheduled for portions of Morris Plains on Thursday night due to an increase in adult mosquito populations.
Weather permitting, the Morris County Division of Mosquito Control will conduct truck-mounted spraying between 8:30 p.m. Thursday, September 3, and 1 a.m. Friday, September 4.
The following streets are scheduled for treatment: Kelsch Drive, Higbie Way, Signorelli Lane, Whitney Avenue, Eisenhower Place and American Road.
Officials said crews will use either Anvil 2+2, which contains the active ingredient sumithrin, or Zenivex E4, which contains etofenprox.
Residents with questions about the mosquito control program or scheduled treatments can contact the Morris County Division of Mosquito Control at (973) 285-6450.