Plato's Closet is located in the Ledgewood Plaza, 1029 Route 46, Ledgewood.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Investigations Robert McNally, and Chief Dean Adone of the Roxbury Township Police Department confirmed that Nicholas Zirpoli, 35, Lincoln Park, has been charged with nine counts of Invasion of Privacy, a crime of the third degree, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:14-9b(1), and one count of Tampering with Evidence, a crime of the fourth degree in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:28-6(a)(1).
Zirpoli is the owner and operator of Plato’s Closet, a clothing retail store in Roxbury Township. On or about February 26, 2023, Zirpoli is alleged to have used a device to video record several male and female employees utilizing the restroom at Plato’s Closet and then destroying evidence related to these acts.
The defendant was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility upon his arrest pending a first appearance. He was subsequently released on pre-trial monitoring conditions on December 13, in accordance with the Criminal Justice Reform Act.
Members of the Roxbury Township Police Department and Morris County Prosecutor’s Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit participated in the investigation leading to Zirpoli’s arrest.
Anyone with information relating to this or any related incident is asked to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Sex Crimes/Child Endangerment Unit at (973) 285-6200 or the Roxbury Township Police Department at (973) 448-2100.
Plato’s Closet® is a franchise and the owner is not affiliated with other franchised locations. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.
Editors Note: A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite these accusations, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
On Wednesday, December 13, an estimated 150 Parsippany residents gathered at the Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library to learn more about the inevitable disastrous impact the recently passed PILOTs are going to have on the town, its citizens, and most importantly its future.
Conspicuous by their failure to also attend and share the reasons why they plan to support the passage of even more PILOTs at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, December 19th was Mayor Barberio and his four rubber stamp Council members (DePierro, Gragnatti, Carifi, and Neglia).
Why a total disconnect between Parsippany residents and Mayor Barberio and the four Council members and why won’t the above-noted elected Parsippany officials listen to the pleas of their constituents for more information and for more time to review that information?
The answer is obvious. The Mayor must believe that Parsippany residents are dumb and docile and as such would never summon the energy to challenge him and John Inglesino in their year-end push to befriend and reward the deep-pocketed and self-serving developers frothing at the bit to build and profit from being located in Parsippany.
Well, Mayor, you are as wrong as can be as the articulate, intelligent, informed, and very angry Parsippany residents so clearly demonstrated. You were wrong to underestimate them and you were wrong to put your friendship with Mr. Inglesino and the developers he represents ahead of your responsibility to serve Parsippany. Shame on you and shame on the four Council members who, like you, also doubted and then betrayed the residents of Parsippany.
I am writing to urge my fellow residents to attend Tuesday’s December 19th, 7:00 p.m. meeting at Parsippany Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Boulevard. Mayor Barberio and 4 of the 5 Council Members have been pushing to quickly provide generous 30-year tax breaks for the redevelopment of 6 Sylvan Way and 7 Campus Drive. Plans are for a 240 luxury unit apartment building, a Lifetime Fitness gym, and a warehouse. These proposals will have the township lose tens of millions of dollars critical to funding essential township services (fire and ambulance) our schools, and infrastructure needs (water and sewer). Three such sites were already voted on at the December 5th Council Meeting – these are an additional three sites.
I attended Councilman Musella’s town hall this week and the panel of experts there clearly made the case that these PILOT programs are not necessary. It is absurd for the Mayor and attorney John Inglesino to undersell the value of redeveloping in Parsippany. These programs will have us taxpayers footing the bill and lining the pockets of multi-million dollar developers. The residents must have their voices heard on matters that impact us directly. I have been a resident in Parsippany since 1968 and I believe the proposed tax breaks for developers will significantly diminish the quality of education our children receive along with our home values.
You have an opportunity this Tuesday to make a difference. You can let the Mayor and Council know that this town is not for sale to John Inglesino and his developer friends. I encourage you to prepare a brief statement expressing your thoughts on the proposed tax breaks. Your input is valuable to stopping these catastrophic policies.
The Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library meeting room was packed with over 150 residents, on Wednesday, December 13, eager to learn more about the Parsippany's current PILOT
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library meeting room was packed with over 150 residents, on Wednesday, December 13, eager to learn more about the Parsippany’s current PILOT (Payments in Lieu of Taxes) projects.
The Town Hall meeting was organized by Parsippany-Troy Hills Councilman Justin Musella and included Ken Kaplan from KenKap Realty, Parsippany Board of Ed member-elect Andy Choffo, and Park Ridge Council President William Fenwick.
The Town Hall meeting was organized by Musella and included Ken Kaplan from KenKap Realty, Musella, Parsippany Board of Ed member-elect Andy Choffo, and Park Ridge Council President William Fenwick (not pictured)
Councilman Justin Musella announced three additional PILOT projects would be voted on during the Township Council meeting on Tuesday, December 19. He encouraged everyone present at the Town Hall meeting to attend and voice their concerns. The PILOT projects include 7 Campus Drive and 6 Sylvan Way. 7 Campus Drive is a vacant office building to be demolished to make room for a warehouse; 6 Sylvan Way, the former corporate headquarters of Avis Rent-A-Car, will be demolished to make room for a Lifetime Fitness and 240 multi-family housing units.
It’s worth noting that at the December 5 Council meeting, Musella was the sole dissenting vote against three PILOT incentive projects.
•The first PILOT plan approved was for 249 Pomery Road. The property consists of an outdated former printing plant to be demolished to make room for a warehouse. On October 17, 2023, the Township Council adopted Ordinance No. 2023:21 as an area in need of redevelopment; Click here to download the PILOT financial agreement. •The second PILOT plan approved was for 2 Campus Drive. On September 26, 2023, the Township Council adopted Ordinance No. 2023:23 and a redevelopment plan for a portion of the Property entitled “2 & 3 Campus Redevelopment Plan;” Click here to download the PILOT financial agreement. •The third PILOT plan approved was for 3 Campus Drive. Avalon Bay will build multi-family houses. Click here to download the PILOT financial agreement.
Avalon Bay will build approximately 430 multi-family apartments with an Affordable Housing Component at 2 and 3 Campus Drive.
Choffo spoke on the impact of PILOTs on the school district. Under the PILOT program, the fees are divided, with 95% allocated to the municipality, 5% to the county, and none directed toward the school district.
Kaplan presented a contrasting view, holding up a picture of a dilapidated, graffiti-covered building that was boarded up.
Kaplan presented a contrasting view, holding up a picture of a dilapidated, graffiti-covered building that was boarded up. He argued that this is what PILOT projects were designed for, and the buildings in Parsippany do not resemble such conditions. He emphasized that the warehouse market was thriving with high rents, and Parsippany’s proximity to major highways (Routes 287, 80, 10, 46, 202, 280) already made it an attractive location without the need for additional incentives. Kaplan dismissed the Mayor’s claims that developers would walk away as baseless.
Park Ridge Council President William Fenwick. He was elected to office because of a PILOT
Fenwick shared Park Ridge’s experience with PILOTs, highlighting the lack of public understanding and unmet revenue promises. In Park Ridge, a mixed-use PILOT project initially promised $700K in revenue but eventually delivered only $400K, with vacant spaces due to high rental prices. Fenwick also stated, “I was elected because of PILOTS.”
Musella voiced his opposition to PILOTs and their impact on residents, offering financial documents related to recent PILOTs for 2 and 3 Campus Drive for attendees to review.
Following the initial presentations, members of the audience were invited to the microphone to ask questions and express their views. Some residents expressed concerns about John Inglesino’s role as an attorney for the developers while also serving as one of the town’s attorneys, questioning whether this posed a conflict of interest.
Parsippany Resident Thomas Williams asked “Why is the Mayor and other Council members in favor of the PILOT? What do they see to justify these approvals?”
Dennis Letts
Dennis Letts directed his statement directly to the Mayor. “You have time to go on 101.5 every day this week slamming Councilman Musella but you don’t take time to listen to residents or host a meeting to explain your position.”
Ines Proust, another resident, inquired about the process of recalling Mayor Barberio.
Ines Proust, another resident, inquired about the process of recalling Mayor Barberio. Park Ridge Council President Fenwick explained that it wouldn’t be an easy process and mentioned that the Park Ridge Mayor had resigned amid a recall attempt.
You can watch the meeting on Facebook by clicking here.
HANOVER — Congratulations to Nick Gatsonis and Ryan Haberman, Hanover Park High School students, for achieving the Highest Chair in the North Jersey Area Symphonic Band.
Join them next month for a concert featuring top musicians from across northern New Jersey.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany Carol Tiesi distributes the food collected to Michele Picone, Director of Health and Human Services
PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, December 3, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany organized a successful “Food Collection” event at ShopRite Parsippany. Despite the rainy weather, the community rallied together to support the cause.
A group of 17 dedicated Key Club members from Parsippany High School and Parsippany Hills High School volunteered their time throughout the day, providing invaluable assistance.
The event yielded impressive results, with a dozen shopping carts filled with non-perishable food items and $200 in cash donations. All the cash donations went to support the Parsippany Emergency Food Pantry.
The list of needed items included various food staples, such as pasta sauce, juice, canned tomatoes, canned fruit, crackers, and more. Personal care items, including toilet paper, were also highly appreciated.
Donations from caring individuals like you make a significant impact on the lives of needy residents and families in Parsippany. The Parsippany Emergency Food Pantry, located at the Parsippany Senior Center (1130 Knoll Road, Lake Hiawatha), is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can reach them at (973) 263-7160.
Your support and generosity are greatly appreciated. For more information about the Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany, please click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor’s Office PBA Local #327 Toy Drive generously contributed 95 toys to the Goryeb Children’s Hospital in Morristown.
At their annual Holiday party, members of PBA#327 gathered and collected an impressive total of 95 new and unwrapped toys for donation. These thoughtful donations from the dedicated members of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office are being gratefully donated to the Goryeb Children’s Hospital, made possible through a partnership with the Walsh Company.
DOVER — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Rockaway Township Police Chief Martin McParland Jr., confirmed the sentencing of Nathaniel G. Yanez, 23, Newark, and previously of Dover.
On December 8, 2023, the Hon. Stephen J. Taylor, P.J. Cr. imposed an aggregate sentence of 12 years in New Jersey State Prison subject to 85% parole ineligibility according to the No Early Release Act. Yanez was also ordered to register under Megan’s Law and will be under Parole Supervision for Life. Yanez was ordered to have no contact with the three victims.
On April 27, 2023, Yanez had previously entered guilty pleas to three counts of second-degree Sexual Assault and one count of third-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Yanez had been detained at the Morris County Correctional Facility following his arrest in March of 2022 on the initial charges.
The charges stem from incidents involving two victims at the Hilton Garden Inn in Rockaway, and a residence in Dover, as well as another victim who was identified from videos on the defendant’s phone.
The 32nd Anniversary of First Night Morris County will take place on December 31 in Morristown.
MORRIS COUNTY — Celebrate the 32nd Anniversary of First Night Morris County on Sunday, December 31 in Morristown, a delightful, alcohol-free, and substance-free celebration of arts and culture. Organizers promise a spectacular lineup of entertainment, including over 70 live performances, spread across 20 venues, and featuring 50+ on-demand films. The festivities will run from 4:00 p.m. until midnight in the heart of downtown Morristown.
This vibrant event encompasses a wide range of artistic experiences, including theater, music (rock, jazz, classical, opera), visual arts, film festivals, and children’s programs, among others. The evening culminates in a mesmerizing fireworks display at 9:15 p.m., followed by a thrilling Midnight Countdown featuring more fireworks to welcome the New Year.
To make your experience even more convenient, complimentary shuttles will be available starting at 4:45 p.m., ensuring easy access to all the festivities. Families can enjoy the Children’s Fun Festival at Morristown High School from 4:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., while film enthusiasts can catch the Film Festival starting at 6:00 p.m.
Parking won’t be a hassle either, with complimentary parking offered at any Morristown Parking Garage starting at 4:00 p.m. Stay connected and informed with the complimentary mobile app and print program. Plus, if you can’t make it in person, you’ll have on-demand access from 4:00 p.m. on December 31, 2023, to 4:00 p.m. on January 1, 2024.
Your admission button (ticket) to First Night Morris County grants you unlimited access to innovative, diverse, and high-quality performances suitable for all age groups. In-person venues are conveniently located within walking distance of each other, while virtual programs can be accessed through the mobile app or website. All this entertainment is available at a budget-friendly price of $25.00 per ticket or $22.50 per ticket for a family pack of four (early bird pricing until Midnight on December 21).
After December 21, ticket prices will increase to $30.00 per ticket and $23.75 per ticket for a family pack of four. Don’t miss out on this fantastic celebration – purchase your tickets today!
