DENVILLE — No one was injured after an air handler caught fire on the roof due to a mechanical failure at Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital Monday afternoon.
Several patients in the emergency room were transported to St. Clare’s Dover Campus and other patients within the building were moved to other unaffected areas of the hospital.
Fire Departments from Denville, Parsippany, Boonton, Randolph, Rockaway Borough, Rockaway Township, Morristown, Morris Plains, and Morris Township are at the scene as well as Morris County Task Force and Morris County Sheriff Department.
EAST HANOVER — Land Use Planning Board of the Township of East Hanover will hold a Special Land Use Planning Board Meeting on Tuesday, April 13, at 7:00 p.m. has been postponed. A new date has not been scheduled at this time.
In order to comply with the executive orders signed by the Governor and to follow best practices recommended by the CDC the special meeting of the Land Use Planning Board remotely via Zoom. To access the virtual public meeting clicking here.
KRE Acquisition Corp., 100 DeForest Avenue, Block: 42 Lots: 37, 37.02 & 41 Preliminary and Final Major Subdivision with variances for street trees, tract buffer, shade trees, evergreens trees, shrubs, building wall offset distance, and roof offset. No waivers are required.
KRE Acquisition Corp is constructing a 548-unit residential development on 74.462 acres.
The old Mondelez Eagle building on the site was razed last December.
They are proposing 548-unit development to contains 247 townhouse units in 48 buildings, 62 stacked townhouse units in four buildings, and 239 multi-family apartment units in 5 buildings. A total of 96 affordable units are proposed. This includes 62 stacked townhouses and 34 apartments.
According to KRE, the application and affordable housing units are consistent with the settlement agreement between the applicant and the township dated July 29, 2019, and the township’s 2019 Housing Element and Fair Share Plan.
KRE Acquisition Corp. was formed on June 7, 2010. The managing partners are Murray Kushner and Jonathan Kushner with an address of 520 Route 22, Bridgewater.
MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed into law A-5444, which provides $35 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid for restaurants throughout New Jersey. The bill – sponsored by Senators Vin Gopal and Joseph Lagana and Assembly Members Vincent Mazzeo, Pedro Mejia, Christopher Tully, and Louis Greenwald – provides aid to a particularly hard-hit sector of New Jersey’s economy. The bill is part of a five-bill, $100 million relief effort aimed at helping New Jersey’s small businesses recover from the year-long pandemic.
“For the past year, our restaurants have fought the good fight, and we know that fight has not been easy,” said Governor Murphy. “This legislation will provide a much-needed lifeline to small business owners, who, through no fault of their own, have been devastated by this pandemic.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented health and economic tragedy for everyone, but it is hard to think of a sector that has been hit harder than restaurants. Restaurant owners and their employees have faced previously unimaginable challenges with tenacity and grit that has been inspiring for everyone, but they cannot overcome COVID-19 alone,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “There is now a light at the end of the tunnel, but we still have a long way to go to get there. The $35 million in new grant funding Governor Murphy has signed into law today will provide vital support these businesses need to bridge the gap and continue reopening safely.”
“Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were more than 19,000 food and beverage establishments throughout New Jersey, with restaurants employing nearly 8 percent of the workers in our state,” said Assembly Members Mazzeo, Tully, Mejia, and Greenwald. “The public health emergency has taken a significant toll on this industry, which so many of us benefit from and enjoy. We must provide support to these establishments to help them get through this crisis and allow them to employ New Jerseyans while continuing to serve residents and visitors alike for years to come.”
“With capacity limitations affecting bars and restaurants, the food and drink industry has been struggling since the start of the pandemic,” said Senator Gopal. “Many of these smaller restaurants and bars have been fraught with the potential of closing down permanently, which would not only have an effect on the local economies but the job status of many workers within this industry. This funding will help ensure that these establishments can keep their doors open and help restore the jobs that have been lost due to the pandemic.”
“Mom and pop restaurants and bars have always been keystones in our communities, creating multigenerational traditions and shaping neighborhoods. Sadly, many of these institutions have been forced to close or suffered greatly over the last year,” said Senator Lagana. “With this grant funding, we are giving beloved small businesses an opportunity to get through the hard times, hire workers and remain an integral part of their community.”
The relief aid will be administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority. To date, the NJEDA has distributed more than $250 million in aid to some 55,000 businesses across the state.
Commission Deputy Director Deorah Smith and Commissioner Director Stephen Shaw
MORRIS COUNTY — On April 2, 2021, officials gathered at JFK Park in Dover to recognize the fourth year of service for the Morris County Sheriff Office’s Hope One mobile outreach program, launched by Sheriff James M. Gannon on April 3, 2017.
Sheriff James M. Gannon
Speakers included Congressman Tom Malinowski, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey Senator Anthony Bucco, Assemblywomen Betty Lou DeCroce and Aura Dunn, Dover Mayor Carolyn Blackman, Dover Deputy Chief Jonathan Delaney, Morris County Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw, Morris County Commissioner Thomas J. Mastrangelo, Deputy Director Deborah Smith, Family Promise of Morris County CEO Joann Bjornson, Mental Health Association of Essex & Morris CEO Robert Davison, Center for Addiction, Recovery, Education & Success (CARES) Director Melody Runyon and Hope One Coordinator Cpl. Erica Valvano.
Representing the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office were Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Chris Kimker, Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Brad Seabury, and Sergeant Patrick LaGuerre.
The Morris County Sheriff’s Office Hope One mobile outreach program launched using an old SWAT vehicle that was repainted white and purple and emblazoned with the logos of all the partners: Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Morris County Department of Human Services, Family Promise of Morris County, the Center for Addiction Recovery, Education & Success (CARES), the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris and Daytop-NJ.
Since its launch, the Hope One team has made over 17,600 community contacts and trained 3,149 people in the use of life-saving Narcan. Hope One vehicle go to locations in Morris County that are known to have at-risk populations, homeless individuals, and histories of drug transactions and overdose deaths. Offering immediate services to persons suffering from substance use disorder and opportunities to connect with recovery resources, Hope One deployed a second vehicle in August 2020. Earlier this spring, a new sweeping program was announced that combines the expertise and resources of multiple public service agencies to help vulnerable and at-risk people find the assistance they need, from homeless solutions and addiction treatment to mental health counseling or a combination of services. Hope Hub will be a multidisciplinary panel made up of members of law enforcement, social services, mental health services, healthcare providers, treatment providers and recovery specialists. Individuals and families struggling with problems referred to the Hope Hub panel will be connected to life-changing services. The panel will determine what public services would best help an individual brought to their attention, and the panel will work together to determine if a situation requires a welfare visit or an intervention.
Acting Prosecutor Carroll recognized the Hope One team’s hard work and dedication, especially the vision of Sheriff Gannon in launching the program.
Acting Prosecutor Carroll stated, “Sheriff Gannon, you should be very proud of what this program has accomplished. Hope One’s successes not only demonstrate the effectiveness of the program but literally, fit the definition of ‘hope,’ and they continue to expand. Newly developed programs which include the teaming up of our addiction and mental health resources with law enforcement, judicial professionals, and other community services and organizations have now taken shape. In addition, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal has directed the formation of a statewide mental health steering committee, which in turn will work with the county prosecutor’s offices to establish county-level mental health working groups, coordinating the key mental health resource programs to increase utilization and broaden services.”
BOONTON — Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation opened a new retail branch location. Intent on expanding its reach into the communities of Boonton, Boonton Township, and Mountain Lakes, the newest Peapack-Gladstone Bank will be located at 104 Ely Place, Boonton. It will be the 20th retail space for the bank and its seventh in Morris County.
“As we celebrate 100 years in business, we are focused on growth and remain committed to providing clients financial solutions to get through this challenging time in our history,” said Doug Kennedy, president, and chief executive officer. “This location allows us to expand our presence in Morris County. And personally, as a member of the surrounding community, it allows me to introduce a style of banking that I am extremely proud of to my very own neighbors.”
This will be a full-service retail space that offers personal and business banking solutions as well as wealth management, investment banking, and consumer and commercial lending. The location will also be the hub for the Bank’s Professional Services division led by William “Bill” Gascoigne, a life-long resident of Boonton Township and Mountain Lakes, a career banker, and tenured leader with over 40 years of financial industry experience. Bill and his team, including Michael Buczynski, another local resident who joined the Bank in 2017, offer professional services firms a wide variety of lending and depository services including collection, payment, and liquidity management solutions that provide maximum control, processing efficiency, and convenience, to help businesses thrive.
“I’m proud to be a part of opening this location and supporting my hometown,” said Gascoigne. “We offer a local, community-focused view on financial services that I believe most people need and are looking for.”
Robert Plante, chief operating officer, commented, “I’ve lived in this area for over 20 years and I’m thrilled we’re opening here. We have the products, platforms, and the right people to deliver an exceptional client experience. I’m looking forward to providing the Tri-Town area Peapack-Gladstone Bank services and solutions, designed specifically to keep them moving forward.”
Under current Covid-19 restrictions, the branch will offer traditional hours with fully operational drive-up services, a 24-hour ATM, safe deposit boxes, and night deposit services. Although the lobby will remain closed for now, virtual appointments can be made using Zoom to open accounts, or alternatively, accounts can be opened online using the Bank’s online account application found at www.pgbank.com.
Peapack-Gladstone Financial Corporation is a New Jersey bank holding company with total assets of $5.9 billion and assets under management and/or administration of $8.8 billion as of December 31, 2020. Founded in 1921, Peapack-Gladstone Bank is a commercial bank that provides innovative wealth management, investment banking, commercial and retail solutions, including residential lending and online platforms, to businesses and consumers. Peapack Private, the Bank’s wealth management division, offers comprehensive financial, tax, fiduciary, and investment advice and solutions, to individuals, families, privately-held businesses, family offices, and not-for-profit organizations, which help them to establish, maintain and expand their legacy. Together, Peapack-Gladstone Bank and Peapack Private offer an unparalleled commitment to client service. Click here or click here for more information on
BOONTON — Boonton Mayor Corcoran presenting the 2020 Citizens of the Year Proclamation to Lieutenant Royce Stafford and Captain Steve Jones of the Boonton Police Department.
Mayor Corcoran presenting the 2020 Citizens of the Year Proclamation to Fire Department Chief Dave Kaplan
Even during the first wave of COVID-19 when little was known about the disease and most Americans were working and learning from home, our Police Department, Fire Department, and Kiwanis Squad were daily putting themselves at risk to keep our community safe.
Mayor Corcoran presented a framed 2020 Citizens of the Year Proclamation to the Kiwanis Ambulance Squad Pictured here are Safa Qasim (l), Arianna Colatruglio (m), and Antonio Guinta (r)
Mayor Richard Corcoran recognized their sacrifice and heroism in a mayoral proclamation naming them Citizens of the Year. He presented each department with a framed proclamation and with hearty thanks on behalf of all Boonton residents.
MORRIS COUNTY — All New Jersey residents age 16 and over will be eligible to make an appointment for the coronavirus vaccine beginning April 19, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday in another major eligibility expansion.
The news means people will be eligible two weeks ahead of when Murphy originally planned to make vaccines available to every New Jerseyan. The governor said he’s still confident that 70% of the state’s eligible population — some 4.7 million people — will be vaccinated within six months of when the first dose was administered in mid-December.
“Yes, we still have roughly three million people to go to meet our initial goal,” Murphy said during his latest COVID-19 briefing in Trenton.
There are currently 1,796,798 fully vaccinated people in the state, Murphy said. That’s about 38% of the state’s goal to have the 4.7 million vaccinated by June 30.
He’s optimistic about reaching the goal based on the increased number of doses being sent to New Jersey by the federal government.
“Two months ago, on February 5, we reported roughly 180,000 fully vaccinated individuals. One month later, on March 5, we reported 789,500. Or, nearly 610,000 in one month,” Murphy said.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Clerk Ann F. Grossi, Esq. will draw names for ballot positions for the upcoming June 2021 Primary Election. The drawing will commence on Friday, April 16, at 3:00 p.m.
The drawing will be live-streamed on Facebook Live and can be accessed through the Morris County Clerk’s Facebook page. To access the Livestream, search ‘Morris County Clerk, Ann F. Grossi, Esq.’ on Facebook and then click the ‘Events’ tab on the Facebook page. Please note that the Livestream will not begin until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16, 2021.
Acting Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Detective Mark Ferraro, and Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker
MORRIS COUNTY — Acting Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll and Chief of Detectives Christoph Kimker announce the hiring of Mark Ferraro as Detective for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
On Monday, April 5, Acting Prosecutor Carroll and Chief of Detectives Kimker held a ceremony for Detective Ferraro, who will be assigned to the General Investigations Unit within the Courts and Administration Division.
Detective Ferraro started his law enforcement career as a juvenile detention officer with the Morris County Juvenile Detention Center and as an intern with the Morris Township Police Department. He served as a patrol officer with the Maplewood Police Department for nine years and was appointed to the Special Services Team, which included pro-active enforcement in various areas within the town. He completed various specialized training and holds a B.A. from Wesley College.
Acting Prosecutor Carroll said, “I welcome Detective Ferraro to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, and trust that he will make an outstanding addition to our agency.”
MORRIS COUNTY — The Democratic Municipal Chair of Morristown, Aaron “A.J.” Oliver, announced today he is joining T.C. McCourt in a bid for Morris County Commissioner.
“I’m proud to join T.C. McCourt in this effort to end the one-party rule on the Commissioner Board. It is time for our county government to have a new generation of leadership with fresh, bold ideas. We need a Board that serves and reflects all Morris County residents.”
A.J. Oliver is a 17-year Army veteran (2003-), combat veteran, and most recently served as part of the NJARNG Covid Relief mission in 2020. He currently serves as a Captain in the New Jersey Army National Guard, as well as a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Newark.
“I am beyond thrilled that A.J. has decided to join me in the fight to bring real change to the Board of County Commissioners,” McCourt said. “As they get to know him, I’m confident that the people of Morris County will be just as impressed as I am. I can’t wait to get to work.”
Aaron “A.J.” Oliver
Oliver was born and raised in Morristown and has been a Morristown resident most of his life. He presently serves as a Commissioner on both the Morristown Environmental Commission as well as the Morristown Shade Tree Commission.
Veteran issues will be a core focus of Oliver’s campaign. “It’s vital that we serve those who protect us and their families. Resources for veterans in northwest New Jersey will be a priority of mine as a Commissioner.” In his effort to break the one-party rule of the Commissioner Board, Oliver views accessibility as an issue Morris County residents might not even realize they lack. “I intend to increase the visibility and accessibility of the Morris County government to its residents. Many people don’t know what a Commissioner is and does, and we need to have an education campaign about how the county government serves them.”
