The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission will be at the library continuously for four days next month, from Monday, January 2 through Friday, January 5, between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
These appointments are specifically for REAL ID and duplicate/replacement title services. Walk-up service is available for registration renewal and handicapped placards.
To schedule a duplicate or replacement title appointment click here.
To schedule a REAL ID appointment click here.
PARSIPPANY – The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council meeting on Tuesday, December 5, stretched beyond five hours as Council members, School Board members, and community residents unanimously voiced opposition to the township’s proposed PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) projects. There was no public support expressed for these PILOT projects during the meeting.
At a previous meeting, Daniel S. Cassese, Tax Assessor said “I am sure that everyone has been informed that I wrote two articles regarding PILOTS. I wrote the first article in 2019, pre-COVID, and the second article in February of 2021. What we have now, November 21, 2023, is a completely different market. I am still not a big fan of PILOT agreements. I have been trained to put ratables on the tax list not take them off but in today’s market municipalities throughout New Jersey are considering and approving PILOT agreements as a way to help redevelop distressed sites. As an example, in Montville Township there are over 1,000 apartments under construction that have PILOT agreements. Morris Plains and Hanover townships have similar PILOT agreements.”
PILOT projects offer tax incentives to developers in lieu of traditional taxes, a topic further detailed here. At the council meeting, four members – President Loretta Gragnani, Vice President Michael dePierro, Frank Neglia, and Paul Carifi – showed support for the PILOT programs, while Councilman Justin Musella opposed them.
Mayor James Barberio advocated for the PILOTs as a solution to what he describes as blight at the proposed project sites. Attorney John Inglesino, who is also representing the developers in these projects, attended the meeting to argue in favor of the PILOTs. This dual role was highlighted as a conflict of interest by resident Michael Espejo in a statement read during the meeting and also submitted as a letter to the editor. (Click here to read his letter)
Parsippany Board of Education members, including newly elected Andy Choffo and Tim Berrios, disagreed with Mayor Barberio and Inglesino. Choffo and Berrios were particularly aggrieved by Mayor Barberio’s earlier threat on 101.5’s morning radio show to “deal with them politically at a later time.” Choffo warned of potential legal action against such threats from an elected official.
Resident Timothy Berrios also expressed dismay over Mayor Barberio’s on-air threats and his frustration with the pushback against his PILOT proposals. Meanwhile, former Assembly candidate John Von Achen joined the chorus against the PILOTs, aligning with Choffo and Berrios on this issue.
The Township had engaged financial expert Mike Hanley from NW Financial to assess the PILOT program. Hanley disclosed his recent involvement, having been hired just two weeks prior.
Residents urged the Township Council to delay the vote on the PILOT ordinances, requesting more time to gather information. However, this plea was overlooked. A motion by Musella to postpone the ordinances lacked support and subsequently failed.
Ultimately, a vote on the PILOT projects at 2 and 3 Campus Drive and 249 Pomeroy Road was passed 4-1, with Musella dissenting. The council is set to consider three additional PILOT projects at its next meeting on December 19, including an apartment building, a Lifetime fitness center on Sylvan Way, and a warehouse at 7 Campus Drive.
More information on PILOT programs can be found in the “Frequently Asked Questions” section by clicking here.
Click here to download the Financial Agreement for 2 Campus Drive.
Click here to download the Financial Agreement for 3 Campus Drive.
Click here to download the Financial Agreement for 249 Pomery Road.
The Mack-Cali Business Campus area alone has nine office buildings totaling 1.2 million square feet either vacant or earmarked for redevelopment. Other vacant office buildings in the area include:
Additionally, three single-tenant leases are up for renewal, potentially adding over 200,000 square feet to this list.
Signs of Discontent: Packed Council Chambers with Residents Opposed to PILOT Programs, Yet Applications Approved 4-1
What Are PILOTs?
The Long-Term Tax Exemption Law, N .J .S.A. 40A:20-1 et seq., authorizes Long Term Tax Exemptions and was created to help NJ municipalities efficiently and responsibly improve their ratable base and redevelop properties that meet the standard for an Area in Need of Redevelopment.
PILOTs (Payment In lieu of Taxes) can be a useful tool to bring new investment to the Town and yield benefits to our current and future residents. In lieu of paying property taxes on the improvements created by the project, the redeveloper makes annual service charges known as “payments in lieu of taxes” or “PILOTs” which are based on a percentage of annual rental income generated from the project. As rental income increases, the payments made to the municipality increase.
When and Why Are They Used?
PILOTS are used to provide an incentive to a redeveloper to undertake and complete specific projects, sometimes to fulfill a municipality’s affordable housing requirement, to minimize or change the scope of the project from what could be approved, or on a property with environmental problems. They are used in conjunction with areas designated for redevelopment that are underutilized, dilapidated, or otherwise meet the standard for an Area in Need of Redevelopment.
The redeveloper must evidence that but for the tax abatement, the project would not proceed as designed. Without the use of this tool, the project would not be economically feasible in its current form, yielding an inadequate rate of return. The redeveloper also benefits by having predictable, stable payments over a long-term period. This stability is often necessary for the redeveloper to be able to obtain bank financing for the project.
Parsippany and many other communities have utilized PILOTs to avoid high-density Affordable Housing projects or to change the scope of a project to a more appealing use for the community.
Why would the Township of Parsippany negotiate PILOT agreements with developers?
Parsippany is the largest suburban and third-largest corporate center in New Jersey. According to our Tax Assessor, the Township’s vacancy rate has doubled from prepandemic times.
Not only have overall costs and interest rates increased significantly but remote and hybrid work trends have taken their toll on office buildings. Couple the value depreciation with the strain the banking sector is feeling due to the collapse of major banks, and the result is pressure on most financial institutions and a much tighter financial market.
As remote work has become a mainstay rather than a trend, commercial real estate occupants have had to shift their strategies to reduce space and utilize it better with new, state-of-the-art facilities. A recent survey shows 75% of companies plan to reduce office square footage in 2024, compared to 46% in 2022 (Mollman, 2023). Companies are rapidly downsizing their offices and pivoting their strategies to increase value and reduce fallout by exploring alternatives. This year, the Township has been successful in convincing two large companies faced with the need to downsize to remain in our community in a new space. Remaining competitive is the most important tax tool for our residents.
Redevelopment can go a long way towards attracting new residents and businesses, stabilizing taxes, and ensuring the Township can maintain better and more services than other neighboring municipalities for all Parsippany residents. Redevelopment is a necessity so vacant or underutilized properties do not become a burden on township services and result in residents being overburdened with picking up the portion once covered by commercial properties.
The Township needs to remain competitive in the marketplace and with surrounding towns offering PILOTs to developers. The incentives cause redevelopment projects to occur which allows new revenues to be generated.
Are we able to predict the amount of revenue the Township will receive?
Once the developments have been constructed and occupied according to the parameters of the PILOT agreement, the Township will start to receive the full PILOT payments, otherwise known as an ‘annual service charge’. The ‘annual service charge’ is based on gross revenue (i.e., rent, parking, storage, amenity fees, etc.) and will be audited and evaluated routinely to ensure calculations are done correctly. Regardless of any issue or vacancy at the property, the Township still gets paid these annual minimum amounts.
To predict the amount of revenue, it is important to work from the most accurate information as possible. The Township utilizes the services of a financial expert to analyze the data from a redeveloper and like projects in our and neighboring communities when considering financial agreements.
How is a PILOT different from the taxes I pay on my property?
Taxes on traditionally taxed properties are based on an assessment of what that property is worth today and can vary widely from year to year depending upon that assessment and the current tax rate. Payments under a PILOT are designed to be stable over time. Generally, PILOTs are based on a percentage of the cost of the project, or more commonly 10 to 15% of the project’s annual gross revenue. By basing the PILOT payments on the project’s revenues, the Township shares in the success of the project as rents increase over time.
What happens if we do not offer PILOTs?
There will be projects that cannot achieve financial feasibility and as a result, tax revenue will continue to decline because the existing uses are continually losing value. A large majority of surrounding municipalities have redeveloped by offering PILOTs to redevelopers. Utilizing this tool to create negotiating leverage to attract new developments, and to help offset the tax burden of our residential taxpayers is becoming a more essential option. In this market, redevelopers may not be able to secure financing for large-scale projects without PILOTs, forcing marketable properties vacant and deteriorating.
Is the school district negatively impacted by a PILOT revenue structure?
Support for Parsippany Public Schools is a top priority of the Administration. Discussions are ongoing with the Board of Education to collaboratively explore how best to use PILOT funds to support the growing needs of the Township, including the school district.
The Board of Education is guaranteed its budget regardless of what the municipality collects. Each year, the school district receives 100% of its budget (with annual increases capped at 2%) through traditional taxation. Changes in municipal receipts to the positive or negative do not affect that budget.
The schools are not harmed because under state law, PILOTs do not exempt a developer from all property taxes. In a PILOT agreement, developers are still responsible for paying taxes on the value of the land, so the schools continue receiving their portion of the land taxes.
Do we know how many school children will be added to our school system from new redevelopment projects?
The anticipated number of school children from new residential units is dependent on numerous factors, including rental costs, number of bedrooms available, construction quality, level of amenities, and more. Studies conducted by the Center for Urban Policy Research at Rutgers University, the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, and current demographic information from existing projects here in Town and other New Jersey municipalities have shown that the number of school-age children in multi-family housing is dramatically lower than that which comes from detached single-family dwellings.
Using the conservative demographic multipliers contained in a study prepared by Rutgers Blaustein School in 2018, it is projected that housing redevelopment projects generate predictable counts of public school children, and warehouse or commercial redevelopment projects do not generate public school children.
The additional students, if any, does not happen all in the same class or in one grade, and is not likely to require any expansion of capacity or capital improvements at the schools. What it costs to currently operate Parsippany schools will therefore be generally the same. The school budget will remain what it is today plus the 2% annual increase (plus banked cap, if applicable). Therefore, no shortfall or financial burden would be experienced when the new units are occupied. The Board of Education has exact statistics on how many public school students come from each property in Town, and that data should be compared to similar future projects.
How else will the Township benefit from these PILOT agreements?
The 30-year term of PILOTs provides a new, substantial, and reliable source of revenue that directly supports the municipal budget, helping to keep resident taxes down.
Most developers agree to be responsible for their snow removal and garbage/recycling collection which can equate to an annual savings of over $100,000 for the Township.
Do other neighboring towns have PILOT agreements?
PILOTS have become prevalent throughout the State for similar reasons with at least 50 PILOT agreements in Morris County. Neighboring towns like Boonton, Montville, Denville, Hanover Township, and Florham Park, to name a few, have such agreements.
Are PILOTS a windfall for the developer over time?
PILOTs are based upon a percentage of revenue and agreements have proVIs10ns prohibiting excess profits. The developers must submit audited financial statements every year to confirm compliance. In the event that the Project produced profits over the maximum allowed under the law, the Redeveloper would be forced to remit those profits to the municipality.
What happens at the end of 30 years?
Upon expiration of the tax abatement, the project returns to conventional taxation. There are also mandated step-ups to full taxation through Year 30.
Dear Editor:
These comments were read during the public speaking portion at the Parsippany Town Council meeting on December 5, 2023.
Why is attorney John Inglesino being allowed to represent developers to this council, pushing for the PILOT program while at the same time, his firm is under a contract with the town of Parsippany?
His firm does work on OPRA requests and tax appeals for our town. It is undoubtedly a conflict when someone requests OPRA information about these projects and the attorney and law firm representing the developers may be the one reviewing these requests and determining when and how much of the information is released. Also, it does not seem ethical that someone working for the town, who is essentially your colleague is here in front of you asking you to vote for something that benefits him in a personal financial way.
John Inglesino has already billed the town nearly $60,000 this fiscal year for OPRA and Tax Appeal work. How can he be representing the town and at the same time the developers against the town? He is billing Parsippany to work on tax issues and advising and working for developers on ways to pay less taxes to Parsippany and we, the taxpayers are footing his bill. This is similar to having the same attorney as both the prosecutor and defender.
What disappoints me is that this is no secret to any of you up on the Dais. This council and Mayor voted for his contract. Yet, with this knowledge of him representing both sides, here he is with nothing being done about it. Loving Parsippany, as we often hear being said in this room does not mean loving your buddies that you grew up with and giving them handouts. It means loving the town and doing what is best for its citizens.
I ask that the council and the township attorney either terminate his contract with the town or exclude him from testifying or representing clients in front of this same chamber that he is billing us taxpayers to work for.
Michael Espejo
Parsippany
BOONTON TOWNSHIP – Boonton Township Police were honored with the “Community Traffic Safety Award” by AAA Northeast. Additionally, Boonton Township Patrolman Kevin Marhefka received the prestigious “Traffic Safety Hero Award” from AAA.
In the photograph above, Chief Cacciabeve and Patrolman Marhefka are seen accepting their awards from the team at AAA Northeast.
HANOVER – Lingerie & Bridal By Lisa recently held a ribbon-cutting grand opening at its new home at 190 Route 10 West, Whippany. The event was attended by esteemed guests, including Hanover Township Mayor Thomas “Ace” Gallagher, John Ferramosca, Committeeman, Frank Cahill, Executive Board Member Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce, Dan Winkler, Property Manager along with numerous friends, customers, and relatives.
Lisa’s journey began in 1999 at a small location on North Beverwyck Road, Lake Hiawatha, and for the past 25 years, she operated from Route 46. Now, at the new fashion boutique, you can discover a wide selection of stunning gowns and women’s lingerie that is sure to captivate your heart.
At Lingerie and Bridal by Lisa, every day is treated as a special occasion, with a commitment to making your special event as significant to them as it is to you. Lisa and her team take joy and pride in helping you find the perfect dress, undergarments, shoes, and accessories. With a lifetime of experience in designing and fitting exquisite lingerie, formal wear, and wedding gowns, Lisa is confident in offering you everything you need to turn every event into a cherished memory.
Lingerie and Bridal by Lisa has earned a longstanding reputation for providing the best services in the industry and has established strong and lasting relationships with all their manufacturers, ensuring reliable and timely deliveries. When you shop at the new boutique, they guarantee that you’ll always feel comfortable and confident with every purchase you make.
If you’re looking for the perfect lingerie, formal wear, or wedding gown tailored especially for you, make sure to visit Lingerie & Bridal By Lisa at their new location, 190 Route 10 West, Whippany.
DOVER – In the heart of Dover a new business is making waves in the beauty industry – Carolina Cantera Permanent Makeup. This innovative studio, spearheaded by 27-year-old entrepreneur Carolina Cantera from Uruguay, specializes in micro-pigmentation, microblading, shading, eyeliner, and lip blushing. The driving force behind this venture is Carolina’s passion for making people feel consistently beautiful and confident.
Permanent makeup has become a go-to solution for individuals seeking a time-efficient way to enhance their natural beauty. Carolina Cantera’s studio offers a range of services tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients, providing a lasting solution for those who desire a flawless look without the daily hassle of applying makeup.
Carolina, fueled by her love for makeup and the desire to empower women, embarked on this venture to offer a transformative experience. “What’s better than feeling beautiful all the time and ready for any occasion, without having to worry about putting on makeup every day,” she notes. Her commitment to boosting confidence and self-esteem shines through in every aspect of her business.
Dover’s Mayor-Elect James Dodd welcomed Carolina Cantera Permanent Makeup to the downtown economic center of town, expressing gratitude for the new addition to the community. “We thank Carolina for investing in our community, and we know she will succeed,” he remarked, highlighting the positive impact of diverse industries on Dover’s economic landscape.
Carolina’s dedication to her craft extends beyond the current services offered. She has plans to introduce cutting-edge technology in the form of 3D nipple tattooing. This specialized service aims to restore the confidence of women who find that having realistic areolas and nipples contributes to their emotional healing and enhances their body confidence. It can serve as a reminder of resilience, strength, and the journey they have overcome as they face challenging times going through diseases such as cancer and alopecia. Carolina shares, “It is a privilege to be able to make these women feel beautiful again.”
Carolina Cantera Permanent Makeup is more than just a beauty studio; it’s a place where confidence is restored and beauty is celebrated. As this young entrepreneur continues to innovate and inspire, her venture promises to leave a lasting mark on Dover, and the lives of those who seek a permanent solution to their beauty needs.
Carolina Cantera Permanent Makeup: Your Destination for Beauty Enhancement is located at 25-27 Dickerson Street, Dover.
PARSIPPANY – The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council is meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m.
Click here to download the agenda.
Mayor James Barberio
Council President Loretta Gragnani
Council Vice President Michael dePierro
Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr.,
Councilman Frank Neglia
Councilman Justin Musella
MORRIS COUNTY – Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, Morris County Sheriff James Gannon, and Roxbury Police Chief Dean Adone confirmed the arrest of Auraceli A. Maldonado, 24, Irvington, in connection with the shooting of a man at the Roxbury Motel on October 18, 2023.
On October 18, at approximately 8:54 p.m., authorities were notified that a man had been shot while at the Roxbury Motel on Route 46 in Roxbury. Roxbury Police officers arrived on scene, located a male victim with a gunshot wound to the leg, and provided lifesaving medical aid. The 36-year-old victim was transported to a medical center with severe but not life-threatening injuries. The suspects fled the scene immediately after the incident.
Subsequent investigation revealed the victim had planned to meet with an unknown suspect at the motel. On the date of the incident, surveillance video captured a Honda Accord with a New York registration arriving at the motel parking lot and a man and a woman are depicted exiting the vehicle. It is alleged that these two individuals met with the victim and that the woman was armed with an AR-style rifle during the interaction. It is alleged that the two suspects robbed the victim, who was shot in the leg during a struggle for the firearm, and fled the scene.
The investigation has revealed Maldonado to be the registered owner of a Honda Accord, which was observed traveling through East Hanover shortly after the incident. Maldonado was subsequently located and detained in Middleburg, Florida on November 2, 2023. The male suspect has not been apprehended or charged at this time.
Maldonado has been charged with Armed Robbery, a crime of the first degree in violation of 2C:15-1a(1); Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, a crime of the second degree in violation of 2C: 39-4a(1); Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery, a crime of the second degree in violation of 2C:5-2a(1); Aggravated Assault, a crime of the second degree in violation of 2C:12b(1); and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, a crime of the third degree in violation of 2C:39-5c(2).
Following her arrest, Maldonado was extradited to New Jersey from Florida and is currently being held at the Morris County Correctional Facility pursuant to the Criminal Justice Reform Act. A preindictment conference is scheduled before the Hon. Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C. on January 9, 2024.
Prosecutor Carroll acknowledges the efforts of the Roxbury Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office on this investigation.
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200 or the Roxbury Police Department at 973-448-2100, or anonymously through Morris County Crimestoppers at 973-COP-CALL or copcall.org.
PARSIPPANY – On Monday, November 13, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board approved Application #23:519, which pertains to the construction of two warehouses located at 5 Wood Hollow Road. Each warehouse will consist of 155,242 square feet.
The existing structure, referred to as “The Quad,” currently encompasses three floors, with a total area of 330,631 square feet, situated on a spacious 23-acre site. Notable features of the building include a striking three-story atrium lobby, balcony lobbies on the 2nd and 3rd floors, and ample surface parking accommodating 1,240 vehicles. Additionally, the property includes a newly established conference/training center with a seating capacity of 144, all within a Specialized Economic Development District (SED5).
The current roster of tenants within the facility encompasses well-known names such as Toys R Us, Coyne PR, Ascensia Diabetes Care, SEB Groupe, and Weichert. Currently, there are approximately 142,077 square feet of vacant space.
Morris Focus was founded in 2017 and is published in print and online formats. Its mission is to provide timely and accurate news coverage to Morris County residents and promote community engagement and involvement. The newspaper covers various topics, including local government, education, business, and sports. We can be reached by calling (973) 559-6000—a member of the Parsippany Area Chamber of Commerce and the Morris County Chamber of Commerce.
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