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Burglar Breaks into Home for Car Keys; Investigation Underway

By
Frank Cahill
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File Photo

MORRIS COUNTY — A Chatham Borough home was burglarized around 2:25 a.m. on Tuesday, December 19, as reported by Police Capt. R. Colatrella. The burglar(s) gained access by forcibly entering through a first-floor window and took the keys to an Audi S5 parked in the driveway. Fortunately, there was no confrontation during the incident.

The investigation is a collaborative effort involving the Chatham Borough Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office. Capt. Colatrella advised residents to remain vigilant by securing their homes and vehicles, activating alarms, and reporting any suspicious activity or evidence captured on home surveillance cameras to the Chatham Borough Police Department at (973) 635-8000.

NewBridge Services Inaugurates New HQ at Pompton Plains Campus

By
Frank Cahill
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Pequannock Deputy Mayor Ryan Herd and Mayor David Kohle joined NewBridge Board of Trustees President Debbie King and CEO Michelle Borden in cutting the ribbon on NewBridge Services new headquarters in the heart of Pompton Plains. NewBridge has established a campus off Newark Pompton Turnpike that includes its headquarters, adult psychiatric day treatment program, and affordable apartments for people with mental illness and other special needs.

MORRIS COUNTY — NewBridge Services unveiled its new headquarters in Pompton Plains, where the nonprofit provider of counseling, housing, and education got its start 60 years ago.

Fifty guests cheered as NewBridge CEO Michelle Borden welcomed them to NewBridge’s new home on December 5. “I’m proud that we have established a NewBridge campus in the community where we were founded,” Borden said.

NewBridge purchased two buildings on Newark Pompton Turnpike, adjacent to NewBridge’s adult psychiatric day treatment program and its affordable apartments for adults with special needs. The NewBridge campus has six buildings in all.

NewBridge Board of Trustees President Debbie King, whose father was one of the organization’s founders, said, “I think they would be very pleased to see the creation of our headquarters and campus keeping NewBridge’s roots in Pequannock Township where it all began.”

NewBridge opened its doors in December 1963 as the Pequannock Valley Mental Health Center in the former Pompton Plains library. Initially serving Pequannock and surrounding communities, the agency grew and evolved over the decades to meet emerging needs.

Today, NewBridge tackles some of society’s toughest issues, including mental illness, substance use, isolation, and homelessness. Each year, it helps thousands of children, adults, and seniors in Morris, Passaic, and Sussex counties, and beyond. NewBridge has service centers in Haskell, Parsippany, Pequannock, and Sparta, operates five group homes, created 84 units of affordable housing, and provides support services that allow people with mental illness and older adults to live as independently as possible.

Borden read a proclamation from U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill hand-delivered by her staff member, Georgia Turvey, and a commendation letter from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. “NewBridge has served as a pillar of hope in the community and has changed countless lives,” Governor Murphy wrote.

Guest speaker W. Jay Wancyzk of the Pequannock Township Historical Society discussed the nascent shift in attitudes toward mental illness in 1963 on the national stage and locally. Wancyzk noted that President John F. Kennedy that year signed legislation for providing mental health care in the community and drastically reducing institutionalization of people with mental illness.

In Pequannock, Pastor Donner B. Atwood of the First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains, Municipal Court Judge Herbert Irwin, Mary Jane Kelly, Dr. Kurt Manrodt and Jim Ryan “had the vision to make treatment accessible within our six local communities,” Wancyzk said. The township allowed the nonprofit to use the former library next to the municipal building. Later, NewBridge had its headquarters on Evans Place but relocated to rental space so affordable housing could be built on the property.

NewBridge’s new headquarters once housed Irwin’s law office, Wancyzk noted. “I think he would be mighty pleased with this new connection.” Irwin’s daughter, Debbie Burklow, and her husband attended the event.

Pequannock Mayor David Kohle congratulated NewBridge on its 60th anniversary and new headquarters. “It’s a pleasure to have you back in the center of town,” Kohle said. “We look forward to many, many more years of dedicated services to the residents of Pequannock and the surrounding areas from NewBridge.”

Kohle and Deputy Mayor Ryan Herd joined Borden and King in cutting the green ribbon in front of the new headquarters. Guests then toured the building that will house administrative offices. The second building will be home to two programs, NewBridge SAIL (Senior Assistance for Independent Living) and Community Support Services, as well as the information technology department.

“This is huge! NewBridge, during its 60th anniversary, is making another clear statement for clients, for donors, for everyone to see that we are committed to this community,” NewBridge Trustee Patricia Lee said.

Robert Parker, who retired as NewBridge CEO in 2020, said the milestone bodes well for the longevity of the organization as it enters its seventh decade. “The most important thing is that NewBridge continues to provide services for people who are hurting,” he said.

NewBridge is selling commemorative bricks that will form a walkway at the new campus. Click here to order.

Rolling Hills Recovery Center Initiates Scholarship Program for Drug Rehab Aimed at Assisting Veterans in Need

By
Frank Cahill
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Rolling Hills Recovery Center is located at 425 Main Street, Chester.

MORRIS COUNTY — Rolling Hills Recovery Center, a prominent New Jersey facility specializing in drug addiction treatment, proudly announces its new program designed to aid veterans facing challenges with substance abuse. In light of concerning data regarding veterans’ struggles with addiction, the center is introducing a Drug Rehab Scholarship Program specifically for veterans who lack insurance or the financial means to afford necessary treatment services. This initiative reflects RHRC’s commitment to supporting those who have served our nation and need assistance in their recovery journey.

One of the beneficiaries of the impactful Veterans Addiction Treatment Program is a former service member known as Sergeant Jacob Stone, a pseudonym to safeguard his privacy. Sgt. Stone, a retired Marine Corps veteran, faced significant challenges with alcohol and prescription opioid addiction following his service in the Middle East.

Sgt. Stone recounts his journey: “After years of privately fighting my inner battles, I came to a point where I could no longer manage on my own. The Veterans Program at Rolling Hills Recovery Center turned out to be my beacon of hope. The team there treated me with dignity and empathy, and their holistic approach to treatment empowered me to overcome my addiction and reclaim my sense of purpose. Now, as a sober veteran, I stand proudly, immensely thankful for this renewed opportunity in life.”

Official data indicates that veterans constitute approximately 7% of the U.S. population. Alarmingly, a significant portion of them, around 66%, suffer from chronic pain. Additionally, over 10% of these courageous individuals grapple with substance abuse issues, often as a result of combat-related trauma that leads to unhealthy coping mechanisms. For example, 65% of veterans who seek treatment are dealing with alcohol use disorder.

At Rolling Hills Recovery Center, the commitment to veterans goes beyond statistics. Mr. Robert Marino, the center’s visionary founder, strongly believes in the right of every hero to access healing and recovery.

Mr. Marino emphasizes, “Our veterans have given so much for our nation, and we must give back by offering them the necessary care and support to conquer addiction. The Drug Rehab Scholarship Program symbolizes our unwavering commitment to these valiant individuals. We have faith in their resilience and bravery and aim to assist them in regaining control of their lives and finding renewed hope.”

The Rolling Hills Recovery Center (RHRC) is set to grant one scholarship every month, enabling 12 deserving veterans to access full-scale addiction treatment each year.

At RHRC, a specialized team of experts employs a variety of proven methods and holistic therapies, tailoring them to meet the individual needs and specific challenges of each patient.

At Rolling Hills Recovery Center, a range of evidence-based techniques is utilized, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Group Therapy, Individual Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy. These programs are designed to help patients identify and alter detrimental thought patterns, develop effective coping mechanisms, and foster positive behavioral changes throughout their recovery process.

Moreover, RHRC incorporates holistic therapies in its approach. These include Recreational Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy, Yoga Therapy, Reiki Therapy, and Massage Therapy, all aimed at enhancing the mental, physical, and spiritual health of each individual. This comprehensive strategy is geared towards reestablishing balance and promoting overall well-being during the treatment and recovery phases.

The center prioritizes a straightforward application and admission process for those seeking assistance. To apply for the Drug Rehab Scholarship Program, veterans are required to provide evidence of their military service, demonstrate a financial need, and participate in an intake evaluation. The center’s empathetic admissions team is always available to assist with the application process and answer any queries.

For further details about the Drug Rehab Scholarship Program for Veterans or to initiate the application process, contact Rolling Hills Recovery Center at:

Rolling Hills Recovery Center is located at 425 Main Street, Chester. (973) 606-9170. Click here to view their website.

Rolling Hills Recovery Center has garnered recognition as a premier substance abuse treatment facility in Northern New Jersey. RHRC is committed to combining cutting-edge, evidence-based practices with holistic therapies, crafting individualized treatment plans aimed at guiding individuals toward a life free from addiction. The center offers a compassionate and serene therapeutic environment, providing patients with the essential resources and support needed to make significant, enduring life transformations.

Morris Plains Man Guilty of DWI and Alcohol Consumption

By
Frank Cahill
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Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.

MORRIS PLAINS — A Morris Plains man has entered a guilty plea to driving while suspended, consuming alcohol in the vehicle, and other charges, according to Acting Sussex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray.

John Lafferty, 68, pled guilty to fourth-degree driving while suspended, no insurance, unregistered vehicle, and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle on December 13 before the Honorable Michael C. Gaus, J.S.C. at the Sussex County Courthouse in Newton.

Lafferty admitted to knowingly operating a motor vehicle during a period of license suspension for a second or subsequent DWI. He also admitted to consuming alcohol in the vehicle, Murray said.

Lafferty is scheduled to be sentenced on March 1.

Lafferty was represented by Matthew W. Young, Esq., and the State was represented by Special Deputy Attorney General and Acting Assistant Prosecutor Brent M. Rafuse.

Two Attempted Burglaries

By
Frank Cahill
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Ring Camera Captured the Tense Moments of an Attempted Break-In

MORRIS COUNTY — Two attempted burglaries occurred on Tuesday, December 19 at approximately 4:30 a.m. just off Route 287. The first was on Hillcrest Road, Mountain Lakes, and the second was on Hilltop Terrace, Parsippany.

It appears that three males, one carrying a crowbar, attempted to enter two separate homes, at least one of them occupied.

Both incidents were captured on Ring cameras.

Ring Camera Captured the Tense Moments of an Attempted Break-In

Editors Note: It was previously reported that the one address was Boonton Township when it was Mountain Lakes. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

Letter to the Editor: PILOT: Parsippany In Lots Of Trouble

By
Letter to the editor
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Dear Editor:

As Chair of the Parsippany Troy-Hills Transparency Committee, it is my duty to inform the residents that on December 5, 2023, the Council voted 4-1 to agree to give a 42 million dollar tax break to subsidiaries of Avalon Bay Communities (AVB), a publicly traded company with a worth of 26 Billion dollars.

This and other proposed projects are a gross misuse of the PILOT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) program.

They will deprive our schools and our children of hundreds of millions of tax dollars over the next 30 years. The PILOTs offered to the Avalon Bay Communities are not in the best interest of the community nor does it meet the intent or criteria for a PILOT plan to even be considered.

The information presented is available by going to the Parsippany home page and then clicking the transparency tab. 2 Other references are cited below.

I reviewed the financials reported for the 2 and 3 Campus Drive properties. They show that the developer will receive a $42 million tax break and the schools will lose $56 million in tax dollars over 30 years.

Click here to download the PDF.

1 year

30 Year

The current property pays School District 277, $130 per year and the municipal budget receives $122,771. This is currently warehouse space with NO students in the district.
If the 410-unit apartment project is built and the current tax rate is applied, the annual school budget would increase to $1,574,029 per year. The municipal budget would increase to $697,307.

This may seem like a large increase, however, according to the Tax Payers Guide to Education, Parsippany pays $18.7 K per student. The $1.3 M increase would support the cost of 69 new students.

For comparison recent similar Parsippany projects “Modera, Watersedge, and Mountain Way are 200-unit, 30-unit, and 105-unit projects, respectively, and these three developments alone bring in at least 56 children to the district.” Using this real-world example, if 380 units bring 56 students, we can mathematically extrapolate that 410 units should bring in at least 60. The expected tax gains should cover the added students.

However, as you can see in the chart since the project is built with a PILOT, the annual school budget would have a zero increase. Not one penny to support the expected additional students.

The municipal budget, however, would increase to $1,140,006 (increasing $442,699) and the remaining $42 million would go back to the developer.

30 YearSchoolMunicipalOpen SpaceDeveloperCounty
No Polit6910411630613653297863010756148
Pilot1216667475309183652443420490323411722

So in a few flicks of a pen, the two signatories go from sharing 27.6% of the $110 million pie to 85.9% with no other affected parties present, consulted, or even considered.
Six additional PILOTs are proposed, which would further cut the School district out of its fair share of taxes. This will devastate the school system for decades to come. Unlike the municipal budget, the school budget increases are capped at 2%. There will be no way for schools to hire more teachers, provide competitive wages, or support all of the current programs.

I was at the last School Board meeting and there have already been talks of holding classes in trailers, cutting programs, and leasing space from St. Christopher’s. Our school district has long been a draw for new residents, but the PILOT program is a poison pill that will erode what we have taken so long to build. This is without a doubt unethical, but is it right?

According to the town’s own website 4 “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.”

The developers argued that inflation is up and interest and labor costs are high. Is that enough to claim that the project would not be financially feasible without the PILOT? In short, NO.

According to the SEC, Avalon Parsippany 3 Urban Renewal is one of hundreds of subsidiaries 5 across the country of AvalonBay communities.

According to the AVB 2022 financial statement 6: “At year-end 2022, these proceeds remained entirely available to us. In addition, we upsized our unsecured revolving credit facility to $2.25 billion from $1.75 billion and extended its term to 2026. At year-end, we had over $600 million in cash and cash equivalents on our balance sheet and had no amounts outstanding under our unsecured credit facility.”

The Mayor claimed that we have to give PILOTS or risk losing ratables 8 to surrounding towns the same time he is touting how we are one of the hottest housing markets in the nation 7. New developments fill quickly. With the rental prices of Avalon properties, there is no concern they will profit greatly with or without a PILOT.

He also claims we need to give PILOTS because it is a bad economy. With $600 M in cash and no outstanding debt, AVB can complete both 2 and 3 Campus Drive without even touching the $2.25 B of revolving credit already established and a hot housing market, there is no way they can pretend that the project could not proceed unless they received a tax abatement. The PILOT does impact the project in the least but does pad their sizable bottom line.

It perplexes me why the Mayor and 4 out of 5 council members, knowingly and willingly are sacrificing our children’s education over the next 30 years to line a developer’s pocket. Please shed light on this issue.

Share with your friends and family attend the upcoming Council meetings and have your voice heard.

Sincerely Nicholas Kumburis, MBA, CQA
Transparency Committee Chair, Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills

1 “Parsippany In Lots of Trouble” quoted from Casey Parikh

2 https://www.parsippany.net/pages/pilot-program-information

3 https://patch.com/new-jersey/parsippany/school-board-speaks-out-against-parsippany-pilot-approval

4 https://www.parsippany.net/_Content/pdf/Frequently-Asked-Questions-PILOTs-General.pdf

5 https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/915912/000119312512080629/d235613dex211.htm

6 https://s1.q4cdn.com/777653952/files/doc_financials/2021/ar/2022-annual-report-letter-wrap-final.pdf

7 https://www.parsippany.net/News/View/2259/parsippany-ranked-as-one-of-the-hottest-real-estate-markets-in-the-nation

Rauchberg Dental Group’s Thanksgiving Tradition: Giving Back with Free Dental Care

By
Frank Cahill
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Rauchberg Dental Group Celebrates Thanksgiving with Annual 'Give Back Day,' Providing Free Dental Services to the Community

PARSIPPANY — Two generations of Rauchberg dentists have celebrated Thanksgiving in their unique way by “giving back” with a day of free dental services.

Dr. Joel Rauchberg, retired founder of the practice, and son, Dr. Alan Rauchberg, started the tradition 12 years ago, out of gratitude for their patients and interest in helping their community. Last month, the dentists of Rauchberg Dental Group helped over 60 patients who lined up at 8:00 a.m. to receive free services at their Give Back Day, on the first Saturday in November: a choice of free cleaning, filling, or extraction. Dr. Alan knows that dental insurance is not always easy to come by, and works with his patients to make sure they get care. But on this particular day, he opens the doors to those who have no coverage and provides needed services, at no cost at all.

The day has become increasingly popular with locals and community groups and always brings a smile to the patients and staff alike. Rauchberg Dental offers many different services under one roof, including dentistry, periodontics, and orthodontics, and multiple doctors work in concert for the best patient care available. Their excellent staff looks forward to serving the public regularly, but especially at the next opportunity to GIVE BACK. Please contact them for more information, or to schedule an appointment for an evaluation.

To reach Rauchberg Dental Group call (973) 524-7048.

Sgt. Tim Abline Toy Drive Delivers Holiday Cheer with Generous Donations for Families in Need

By
Frank Cahill
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MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Tim Abline Toy Drive has achieved remarkable success in collecting numerous toys and monetary contributions to assist families and children in need during this holiday season. Generous donations of over $5,000 were made by PBA 298, PBA 151, PBA SOA 298, and FOP 137 to support a family sponsored by Halos for Angels. These toys will be distributed to various organizations, including Table of Hope, Hope One clients, JBWS, and Deirdre’s House.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this year’s toy drive a tremendous success, as your generosity helps us support and strengthen our community!

Letter to the Editor: Concerns Raised Over Proposed Full-Time Fire Chief and Staffing Plan in Parsippany Fire District 1

By
Letter to the editor
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0

Dear Editor:

Recently I received a letter in the mail from the Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Fire Commissioners District 1 stating in the next budget year they are seeking tax-payer approval to hire a full-time fire chief and several per-diem firefighters and officers to staff the district from the hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. In this letter, they stated that they need to urgently implement this plan due to an ever-increasing call volume as well as low volunteer turnout which is increasing response time. While I understand that both manpower and response time is critical to the protection of life and property in the district, I do not believe the commissioners have done a thorough job of explaining why this is needed now, and in such haste. In their letter they have provided no evidence to back the claims made, nor have they done a satisfactory job of explaining why this is needed so urgently. This letter does not even break down the number of calls the department receives during the Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. window nor what the current average volunteer manpower is per call or their response time.

Also, this letter does not say anything about any of the measures that the commissioners have taken to try and avoid this outcome. The Mount Tabor Fire Department is one of six fire districts in the town of Parsippany, with each district operating independently. In the past, other districts have relied on neighboring districts to help fulfill staffing when needed. Has the district looked into having another district assist them with calls? Additionally, what has the district done to try to increase recruitment? The website tells of an incentive program but does not go into any more detail than that.

Furthermore, this letter does a terrible job of explaining how they came to the $640,000 estimate that would be required for payroll and expenses. A quick Google search shows the average pay for a firefighter in New Jersey is $30 per hour. So, for 3 firefighters at 12 hours a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year would be $280,800. Nearly half of the estimated budget and you still haven’t considered the officers and chief’s salary (which would undoubtedly be higher) as well as pension, benefits, insurance, training, PPE, and any other costs associated with having a paid staff. I believe this estimate to be deceptively low. Also, the commissioners do not explain in the letter how having a paid crew in a volunteer town would work. Would a paid crew respond to an area of the town covered by volunteers? Would a neighboring volunteer chief call for District 1 more because they know of the staffing? Or what about out-of-town calls? I don’t believe that would be fair to the residents who would pay for this staffing and have them not be available because they are covering for a volunteer crew.

Another thing is I don’t believe the current residents should have to shoulder the cost of this, at least the initial implementation if it is essential. I’m sure one of the arguments for hiring a paid crew is the amount of building happening in town right now. There have been more than a few articles about how Parsippany is using the PILOT program to develop new housing projects. Have the fire commissions been in contact with the Parsippany town council about collecting some sort of payment from those developers?

However, what this letter did attempt to do in my opinion is try to scare the residents into thinking that the volunteer members of the Mount Tabor Fire Department do not adequately protect them. Per the department’s website, they have 40+ active members, yet the commissions specifically chose to bold and italic the sentence telling you how a fire doubles in size every 30 seconds. While that statement is true, it only truly pertains to a fire in perfect conditions, i.e. NOT in a home or building with the doors and windows shut. Including that line was nothing but a fear tactic. If the commissions were truly worried about the lives and property of the tax-paying residents of the district they would be explaining with supporting facts and figures about how they have tried other options and this is the only feasible solution, instead of trying to scare you.

The Board of Fire Commissioners is holding a meeting on Wednesday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Tarn Drive Fire House located at 909 Tabor Road. I would encourage the tax-paying residents of District 1 to attend that meeting and ask these questions of your elected officials to make sure you agree with what they plan to increase your taxes for.


Stephen Cisco
Mount Tabor

Dover Middle School Shines Bright: Top 40% in U.S. News Rankings

By
Frank Cahill
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0
Dover Middle School is located at 302 East McFarlan Street

DOVER — Dover Middle School has achieved an outstanding milestone, earning the prestigious title of a U.S. News Best Middle School by securing a position in the top 40% nationally.

With great joy and pride, we are excited to share the remarkable news of Dover Middle School’s recognition on both a national and metro area level in the U.S. News 2023-2024 Best Middle Schools rankings.

This honor is a testament to the unwavering dedication, hard work, and commitment of our exceptional students, teachers, and the entire Dover community. Together, we continue to strive for educational excellence, ensuring that Dover Middle School remains a beacon of academic achievement.

To delve deeper into our rankings and explore our updated U.S. News profile, click here to visit the Dover Middle School U.S. News Profile​​​​​​​.

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