HANOVER — Hanover Township Little League held their opening day ceremony on Saturday, April 27 at Veterans Field. Many volunteers worked hard into Friday evening to clear and clean up the field, caused by the recent downpours, to make sure the field was ready for opening day. After the opening day Parade and Ceremony, games commenced at Veterans Field shortly after the ceremony and at other fields around town.
MADISON — Madison Mayor Robert Conley, joined by friends and family, cut the ribbon at the Grand Opening ribbon cutting ceremony of Main Freeze on Wednesday, April 17. Main Freeze Ice Cream & Cereal Bar is located at 187 Main Street. inside Main St. Submarines.
For more information and events click here.
Dear Editor:
This letter was sent to Mountain Lake’s Mayor Barnett and The Mountain Lakes Council:
I would like to take a moment of your time to express my concerns for the Hotel and Wawa that is being proposed to the Borough of Mountain Lakes. I am a resident of Parsippany and live off Fox Hill Road and travel past the proposed site whenever I leave or return to my home. The Morris Focus has a quote from Jim Smith, a Partner of Highview Homes as saying “Developer doesn’t see any impact on the surrounding area, since both businesses are highway driven and there is no reason to exit into the local neighborhoods.”
As a resident, I beg to differ and believe the current plan will in fact impact me as well as any others who live along the Fox Hill Corridor. Mr. Smith makes reference to both businesses being highway driven, yet the current plan only has one access point along the Route 46 with two planned access points along Fox Hill Road. If these businesses are highway driven, why is there only one access point for a 100+ room hotel and a convenience store with a gas station. Truth be told, any west bound traffic heading to these locations will be diverted onto Fox Hill Road as a primary entry point onto this proposed property. There is no doubt in my mind that this will only create more congestion during the morning when busses head to Morris County Vo Tech and in the evening when the residents of the Fox Hill Corridor return home from work.
While I’ve come to realize that projects such as these will benefit the Borough, I respectfully request that the Borough take into consideration the concerns of the neighboring communities. It is my belief that many are opposed to the current plan and will take advantage of public meetings. If the possibility exists, the Borough may want to consider holding a special meeting so that residents from surrounding communities can address any concerns that may exist and be presented with facts from the developer and Borough.
Thank You in advance for your time
Andrew Sadowski
Parsippany Resident
MOUNTAIN LAKES — Zeris Inn which has banquet facilities located at 372 Route 46 for over 45 years is looking to sell their property valued at $2,912,700.00 to Highview Homes.
On Monday, April 23, Highview Homes presented a “conceptual plan” to the Mayor and Council at the Mountain Lakes Township Council Meeting.
The conceptual plan includes a Home2 Suites by Hilton, three-story hotel with 112 suites and a Wawa Gas Station with a convenience store. According to the conceptual plan, there will be an entrance and exit on both Route 46 and Fox Hill Road. The Home2 Suites would occupy 22,870 square feet. There will be no restaurants within the hotel.
It is estimated when the property is finished it will have an approximate assessment of $25 million. The current property is assessed for $2,912,700.00. The land was assessed at $1,910,000.00 and the improvements to the property were assessed at $1,002,700.00.
Zeris Brothers, Inc., pays $74,914.64 annually in taxes to Mountain Lakes.
“Developer doesn’t see any impact on the surrounding area, since both businesses are highway driven and there is no reason to exit into the local neighborhoods,” said Jim Smith, Partner of Highview Homes.
New Jersey law imposes a Hotel Tax of 5% hotel occupancy fee to be paid on short-term accommodations of fewer than 90 consecutive days. Then a portion of the Hotel Tax is disbursed to the municipalities where the hotels are located. Parsippany which contains numerous hotels received $2,597,551.52 “Hotel Tax” from the State of New Jersey in 2018.
In addition to the New Jersey Hotel Tax, municipalities, is authorized to amend or adopt an ordinance to impose a Municipal Occupancy Tax of up to 3% on charges for hotel and motel occupancies in their municipality.
The property of 372 Route 46, Block 2, Lot 2, borders Denville on one side and Parsippany-Troy Hills on another.
Home2 Suites by Hilton is an affordable, all-suite extended-stay hotel featuring contemporary accommodations and customizable guest room design. Other Home2 Suites by Hilton located in New Jersey include Hasbrouck Heights, Bordentown, Edison, Newark Airport and Rahway.
Home2 Suites by Hilton is one of the fastest-growing brands in the history of Hilton, is a mid-tier, all-suite, award-winning extended-stay hotel concept designed to offer stylish accommodations with flexible guest room configurations and inspired amenities for the cost-conscious guest. With a commitment to environmentally friendly products and hotel operations, Home2 Suites offers complimentary breakfast selections with hundreds of combinations; innovative and customizable guest room designs; laundry and fitness areas; complimentary Wi-Fi internet access; multiple outdoor spaces; 24-hour business centers; expansive community spaces; and pet-friendly environments. Home2 Suites by Hilton has more than 235 hotels, and more than 415 in the pipeline.
Wawa started as a New Jersey iron foundry in 1803, and then became a dairy processing plant in Wawa, Pennsylvania, in 1902. The first Wawa Food Market opened in 1964 in Folsom, Pennsylvania, as an outlet for the company’s dairy products. Wawa now has more than 750 convenience stores and serves more than 400 million customers a year in six East Coast states—Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Florida. It offers one-stop shopping for gas, coffee and food, and is known for its friendly and welcoming staff—but that’s just the beginning.
Wawa will occupy 5,585 square feet.
The next step for Highview Homes would be to submit plans to the Mountain Lakes Planning Board for approval.
MORRIS COUNTY — The New Jersey AIDS Walk, Inc. is a 501(c)3 organization which collaborates with several New Jersey cities that are home to leading HIV/AIDS service organizations. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, May 5. PRIDE Run Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., PRIDE Run begins at 9:00 a.m. AIDS Walk Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., AIDS Walk begins at 1:00 p.m.
On this day, thousands of people throughout New Jersey will walk in solidarity in an effort to support those living with HIV/AIDS in the Garden State.
It is a yearly example that Jersey Strong means compassion, community and commitment. Despite incredible progress, New Jersey continues to rank among the ten states with the highest rate of HIV infection in the country.
With over 40,000 people currently living with HIV in New Jersey, we are in great need of community support. Join us in fighting this pandemic by walking with us in the 2019 New Jersey AIDS Walk. Now more than ever, we need your help to save lives. We are in need of lifesaving funds for the HIV+ community, as well as helping to build the first and only LGBTQ+ center in Morris County.
All of the funds raised from the NJ PRIDE Run and NJ AIDS Walk will allow NJAS to continue to provide compassionate care and social services to each person who walks through our door. “Walking sends a clear message that we won’t allow the healthcare needs of people who are HIV+ and part of the LGBTQ+ community to be forgotten,” said Laurie Litt, Chief Executive Officer of NJAS which organizes and hosts the Morris County location.
We are pleased to announce Janssen Infectious Diseases as the 2019 Presenting Sponsor.
For more information on how to get involved as a walker or volunteer in Morris County, please click here.
MORRIS COUNTY — Suffering in silence rarely, if ever, provides relief. Rather it is seeking assistance and being part of a community of people who understand that bring the strongest healing. Recognizing that, County College of Morris (CCM) students Raven Resch, of Belvidere; Alexa Wyszkowski, of Rockaway; and Marco Mirlas, of Landing, decided to use their experiences with mental illness to establish a place of acceptance to help others.
As part of a project for her Contemporary Social Issues class at CCM, Resch developed the concept for “Despite My Diagnosis,” a series of columns written by those who have struggled with mental illness. She presented the idea to Wyszkowski, who as editor- in-chief of the student newspaper – The Youngtown Edition – agreed to run the series this Spring Semester.
Resch, who has suffered with post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety, explains that she felt compelled to show others that mental illness does not define a person nor eliminate the ability to have a successful life.
“There are so many people with mental illness and I want to show people that you can strive and thrive if you get the help you need,” she says.
Mirlas, as president of the CCM Writers’ Club, agreed to write one of the columns about his experiences with attention deficit disorder and to find others willing to share their stories. When asked, he would also proofread the works of other participants and offer suggestions as to their wording and content. A history major, who hopes to become perhaps a teacher or lawyer, Mirlas says he welcomed the opportunity “to help inspire others.”
In each of the columns, the writers have focused not only on their disorders, but also their successes in life on their paths to recovery and acceptance. The series was picked up by Morris County Proud to be Stigma Free, which included each of the students’ stories on its website. The stigma-free communities initiative, https://morriscountystigmafree.org/, is a county-wide program that aims to eradicate the stigma associated with mental illness and substance use disorders. It is dedicated to raising awareness by creating an environment where individuals are supported in their efforts to achieve wellness and recovery.
On Wednesday, April 24, the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders presented Resch, Wyszkowski and Mirlas with certificates of appreciation for raising awareness that those with mental illness should not be defined by their diagnosis.
For Resch, a mother of a four-year-old, the turning point toward wellness took place after she checked herself into an emergency room because she knew she had to get better for her family. Working with social workers, she was encouraged to focus on building a successful life, so she enrolled at CCM and now plans to become a licensed social worker to help others as she was helped. At CCM, she also became involved with the Active Minds Club to assist with its mission to increase awareness about mental illness.
“I have found so much support for my dreams and goals here,” she says. “CCM does that for me.”
Wyszkowski, who suffers from severe food allergies and anxiety and depression, has extensive experience working to help others. She has spoken on panels for Food Allergy Research & Education, writes a blog on food allergies and plans to take Mental Health First Aid Training courses. At CCM, in addition to serving as editor-in-chief, she is vice president of service for the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. A dual major in culinary management and liberal arts, she also is working on two certificates in small business and special events. Her dream position is to be teacher who works with students on school publications, such as the newspaper and yearbook.
Regarding her work on The Youngtown Edition, her goal has been to assist with creating an atmosphere of acceptance and celebration. “Everyone is going through something,” she says. “I believe it is important to create welcoming environments.”
MADISON – The 200 Club of Morris County honored Madison Patrolman Christopher Burans, Sergeant James C. Cavezza and Patrolman Travis Davis at their 47th Annual Valor and Meritorious Awards Celebration on Thursday, April 25 held at the Birchwood Manor.
Shortly after midnight on August 13, 2018, the Madison Police Department was called to assist Chatham Borough Police Department on scene where a juvenile female was threatening to jump off of the Union Hill Road train bridge.
Sergeant James Cavezza, Patrolman Christopher Burans and Patrolman Travis Daniel responded to find the girl standing on the ledge of the bridge, approximately 30-40 feet above the train tracks, where high voltage power lines were directly below her.
The girl had just contacted a suicide hotline to say she was going to jump off of the bridge.
While the Chatham Borough officers were speaking to her, she told them she wanted to end her life. The Madison Police Officers informed NJ Transit about the incident so trains were stopped in both directions.
Given the girl’s location on the bridge, officers knew that a fall from that height would be fatal.
The Chatham Borough officers had tried for some time to talk her off the bridge, with no success, so it was clear that the Madison Police officers had to take immediate action, believing her threats were legitimate.
While the Chatham Borough officers continued to engage the girl in conversation and keep her attention, the Madison Police officers approached her from behind, jumped up approximately eight feet and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her to safety, off of the bridge.
These officers placed themselves in great danger of falling from the bridge to the high voltage wires below. Fortunately, their actions resulted in the girl receiving the treatment she desperately needed, and she was reunited with her family.
Also honored that evening was Lieutenant Joseph Napoletano, Kinnelon Police Department, for saving a man and dog who had fallen through the ice on Butler Reservoir on February 21, 2018.
Denville Police Officer Michael Ambrose, Police Officer Shawn Frawley, Sergeant Bruce McCarter and Chief Christopher Wagner was honored for saving two victims and a dog that had fallen through ice in Cedar Lake on February 15, 2018.
New Jersey State Police Trooper Rodrigo Coelho, T.E.A.M.S. North Unit and Tropper Jordan Siegel, Hazardous Materials Response Unit were honored for removing the driver of a Jeep involved in a two-car motor vehicle crash on Interstate 80 in Rockaway Township. On October 19, 2018 the crash involved Jeep which had been driven under the rear of a tractor trailer and was engulfed in flames with the driver trapped inside.
Also the Mount Olive Township Police Department, Netcong Borough Police Department, New Jersey State Police, Atlantic Ambulance Corporation, Budd Lake Fire Co. #1, Flanders Fire & Rescue Co. #1, Hackettstown Medical Center Emergency Department, Morris County Communications Division, Morris County Office of Emergency Management, Mount Olive Township, Office of the Fire Marshal, Par-Troy Emergency Medical Services, Roxbury Township Co. No. 2 Fire & EMS, Saint Clare’s Denville Hospital Emergency Room, Saint Clare’s Dover Hospital Emergency Room, Saint Clare’s Health EMS, Sameth Emergency Department at Morristown Medical Center Stanhope-Netcong and American Legion Ambulance Corps were all honored for their participation in the fully-loaded school bus crash on Route 80.
On Thursday, May 17, 2018 at approximately 10:20 a.m., numerous 911 calls started to flood both the Mount Olive Township Police Department’s Dispatch Center and the Morris County Communications Division. Frantic callers reported that a fully-loaded school bus of children had crashed and overturned on Interstate 80 in Mount Olive Township. Children and adult chaperones were reportedly injured with some in critical condition. The Mount Olive Township Police, EMS and Fire agencies inclusive of the Budd Lake Fire Co. #1, Flanders Fire & Rescue Co. #1 and the Mount Olive Township Office of the Fire Marshal, were immediately dispatched to the scene along with the New Jersey State Police. Simultaneously, Atlantic Ambulance Corporation, Saint Clare’s Health EMS and the Morris County Office of Emergency Management were immediately dispatched to the scene as well. The Morris County Communications Division quickly activated the Morris County Mass Casualty Assets which included the numerous departments being honored here this evening. What happened next was truly remarkable. Upon the arrival of the first units on-scene, the comprehensive scene size-up gave both dispatch centers and other response units enough information to immediately dispatch and ensure that we had enough ambulances and emergency response assets being requested to respond. The high level of responding assets was also achieved with assistance of our out-of-county partners in Sussex and Warren Counties who each sent ambulances to the scene as well. Within the first seven minutes, the Mount Olive Township Police Department along with the multiple fire and EMS agencies on scene, had the mangled and overturned bus cleared of all patients. The next significant challenge was the triage of 46 patients in a variety of medical conditions who were spread out along the grassy median and highway.
This challenge was accomplished through a multi-agency, multi-discipline response, inclusive of two hospital-based response teams, to what many described as a “worst-day scenario.” Although the team had two patients who were deceased on-scene, the injuries which were sustained to both patients were so significant that no action by EMS or hospital personnel could have changed the tragic outcome.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the deceased victims and their families as well as others impacted by this overall incident. The triage and transportation process for the injured patients was fundamental to the ultimate success of the patients’ outcomes. The variety of medical conditions amongst the patients included some with significant and critical injuries who needed rapid transport to a trauma hospital. Some patients ultimately ended up crashing/coding when they entered the Emergency Room at local hospitals and required immediate lifesaving interventions. Additional on-scene or transport time would have proven problematic for these positive patient outcomes. In addition, many children were continually being re-assessed during the triage phase at the scene of the incident and during transport, with noted decompensation/status changes occurring during reassessment. Changes in patient status ultimately changed hospital destinations as well as the mode of transportation for some qf the injured. Everyone that was treated and transported is alive today because of an aggressive triage and reassessment process and a “complete system of care.” The successful outcomes were not the result of any one agency or any one individual. This was the result of ONE unified team of professionals from dispatch to police, EMS, fire, hospital-based BLS/ALS systems, emergency room staff, trauma teams, surgical staff, countless medical staff/departments, hospital patient liaison teams, human services and mental health teams, and the countless other professionals who played a part in the response as well as the recovery.
“May 17, 2018 was a difficult day for many, but was also a proud day for our Morris County EMS, Police, Fire, OEM, and the overall patient care continuum from dispatch, to the street, and ultimately to the hospital. This Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) was managed in a professional and exemplary manner, and every responder stepped up to the plate to do what was needed in order to save lives. We often say that we train for the day that we hope never happens, but in this case, it happened, and all of the responders involved in this incident should be extremely proud of the role they played, as well as the positive outcome,” said Morris County Sheriff James Gannon.
MORRIS COUNTY – With the help of Grace Eline, a Morris County brain tumor survivor, Assemblyman Anthony M. Bucco is pushing legislation to allow New Jersey residents to make donations to childhood cancer research on their tax return forms.
“I think we need to spend more time focusing on pediatric cancer because we have a lot of kids out there that need to have some hope,” said Bucco (R-Morris).
Several childhood cancer survivors, including 10-year-old Eline who was recognized by President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address in February, joined Bucco in Trenton to discuss getting the bill (A-894) through the Statehouse and onto the governor’s desk. The bill would create a donation check-off box on state income tax forms to benefit a newly established Pediatric Cancer Research Fund that would support projects approved by the New Jersey State Commission on Cancer Research.
“Only four percent of the research is for kids and I think that kids are definitely worth more than four percent,” said Eline. “The bill will definitely help us gain more than four percent.”
The bill is based off legislation that was passed in Kentucky and raises millions of dollars every year for pediatric cancer research. The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee voted in favor the bill (S1538). The Assembly version is waiting to be heard in the Appropriations Committee.
PARSIPPANY — Boy Scout Troop 173 will hold its fourth annual Mother’s Day plant sale on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5 and Saturday, May 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Parsippany Elks Lodge, located at 230 Parsippany Road.
A wide variety of plants, including annuals and perennials will be available including: Begonias, Marigolds, Vinca Vine, Geraniums, herbs such as Basil, Mint, Parsley, and vegetables such as Tomatoes and Peppers. Plants will be sold in both flats and potted; there will be colorful deck/patio planters and hanging baskets as well.
“This is one of Troop 173’s fundraising events to help with costs associated with our Boy Scout activities throughout the year,” states Scoutmaster Michael Catapano.” The turnout at last year’s Mother’s Day plant sale was incredible and we are hoping for an even better sale this year.”
Throughout the year Troop 173 is actively involved with community service projects at Littleton School (with Pack 142), Brooklawn Middle School, Mt Tabor Historical Society and at the Parsippany Historical Society Smith-Baldwin House.
Support your local Boy Scout troop and pick the perfect Mother’s Day gift! For more information contact Len Cipkins at (973) 229-8740.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County’s 2019 county road resurfacing effort will move to roads in Dover and Roxbury Township in early May, weather permitting.
Paving is scheduled to start during the first full week of May on South Morris Street in Dover, and a half-mile stretch of Mt. Arlington Blvd. in Roxbury. Highview Avenue in Hanover Township has a June paving date.
This follows the completion of resurfacing work on Powerville Road in Boonton Township and Boonton Turnpike in Lincoln Park.
Also pending is paving on already approved and contracted projects on a segment of Littleton Road in Parsippany, while a project that had been expected to start on James Street in Morris Township and Harding has been temporarily delayed and will be twinned with a Morristown paving project.
In addition, the Board of Freeholders, at recent meetings, passed resolutions to allocate funds to pave portions of the following roads (starting the bid and contract process):
“Our road crews are working across the county this spring to deal with the impacts of winter weather and the wear and tear of heavy use of our road network,’’ said Freeholder Director Doug Cabana. “Keeping that network in excellent shape is of key importance to our residents and businesses, and to ensuring Morris County’s place as a first class, top-rated county.’’
“We are moving as quickly as possible to bid and award these contracts so we can get the needed work going,’’ added Freeholder Stephen Shaw, who is the county governing board’s liaison on roads and bridges.
The county’s 2019 resurfacing effort will cover more than two-dozen county roads in 23 towns, totaling more than 25 miles of paving. Portions of county roads scheduled for paving this year are located in Boonton Township, Chatham Borough, Chester Borough, Chester Township, Dover, Florham Park, Hanover, Jefferson, Lincoln Park, Long Hill, Mendham Borough, Mine Hill, Morristown, Morris Township, Mount Arlington, Mount Olive, Parsippany, Pequannock, Randolph, Rockaway Township, Roxbury, Washington Township, and Wharton.
Some of the largest projects include a 4.4-mile stretch of North Road/Dover Chester Road in Chester Township and Randolph, 2.4 miles of Bernardsville Road/Hilltop Road in Mendham Borough, 2.2 miles of Howard Boulevard in Mount Arlington and Jefferson, 2 miles of Boonton Turnpike in Lincoln Park, and a 1.7-mile segment of Littleton Road in Parsippany.
Bids are expected to go out soon on four other anticipated projects:
To see the complete list of scheduled 2019 county paving projects click here.
The county work is in addition to local and state road-improvement projects.
Road closures and detours will be signed and coordinated with the local police. Motorists should expect delays. Bicyclists are urged to seek other routes.
Upcoming Projects
Completed Projects:
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.
Contact us: news@morrisfocus.com
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