MORRIS TOWNSHIP — The Attorney General’s Office is conducting an investigation of a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred on, Tuesday, July 14, in Morris Township.
The decedent has been identified as Timothy O’Shea, 24, of Morris Township.
According to the preliminary investigation, the Morris Township, Morris Plains, and Morristown Police Departments received a 911 call at approximately 4:14 p.m. reporting a domestic disturbance.
O’Shea was the son of retired Morris Township Police Lieutenant Kevin O’Shea who currently serves the department as an executive administrative assistant.
The caller reported that a person at the residence had cut himself and had a gun. Uniformed officers of the three police departments responded to the residence 86 Fairchild Avenue where Timothy O’Shea lived.
Upon arrival, officers encountered the 911 caller and took that person into safety. Shortly after, at approximately 4:19 p.m., officers encountered Timothy O’Shea, who was holding a pistol and bleeding. During the encounter, one officer fired his weapon, striking Mr. O’Shea. Officers rendered medical aid until EMS arrived. EMS transported Mr. O’Shea to Morristown Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased at 5:41 p.m. The pistol that was in his hand was recovered at the scene and determined to be a replica Beretta 9mm airsoft pistol.
The investigation is being conducted by the Integrity Bureau within the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.
This investigation is being conducted pursuant to a law enacted in January 2019, P.L.2019, c.1, which requires that the Attorney General’s Office conduct investigations of a person’s death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.
Senator Pennacchio urged the legislature to act on behalf of more than 6,700 elderly nursing home residents who lost their lives to COVID-19 and create a Senate Select Committee to review the State’s response to the pandemic.
MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio again implored the legislature to act on behalf of more than 6,700 elderly nursing home residents who lost their lives to COVID-19 and vote to create a Senate Select Committee to review the State’s response to the pandemic.
“The deplorable treatment of vulnerable seniors who were isolated, abandoned and exposed to this deadly virus was a pandemic genocide that stripped the lives of almost 7,000 fragile souls trapped in long term care facilities,” Pennacchio said. “Now, this shocking nightmare is being compounded by apathy. These innocent victims have been being deserted by the legislature and forgotten by the press. Doesn’t anybody care what happened to these victims?”
Since early May, Pennacchio has been advocating for a Senate Select Committee to investigate the Executive Branch’s handling of the health crisis and the decisions that placed so many fragile residents at risk in under-staffed and unprepared facilities.
“Every week that passes makes it more difficult to uncover the truth so we can take steps to prevent the occurrence of a similar atrocity in the future,” Pennacchio said. “The situation demands a retrospective and real-time investigation, with subpoena power to compel the testimony of witnesses, so we can fully comprehend the systemic failures that contributed to unthinkable carnage among the fragile population that needs and deserves our protection.”
Pennacchio noted that the Administration has warned that the pandemic, now slowed, could exhilarate in a dangerous second wave.
“It is all the more reason to immediately address the procedures and decisions to make sure it’s not happening again in our nursing homes,” said the Senator. “We don’t want a deadly repeat.”
HANOVER — The Whippanong Library is open to the public. Their hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Masks are required with social distancing. All items are disinfected when returned and computers are disinfected after each use. Come on in. For more information click here.
The Whippanong Library is located at 1000 State Route 10, Whippany.
Madison YMCA is located at 111 Kings Road, Madison
MADISON — Over 40 blood donors came out to support the Madison Area YMCA community blood drive with their lifesaving blood. One unit of blood can help up to 3 different patients so 150 lives will be impacted by this blood drive. The blood supply is at a dangerously low level due to Covid-19 and New Jersey Blood Services is desperately seeking large venues where blood drives can be held while maintaining social distancing. The blood center is unable to run bus drives so it is imperative these sites are found so donors can find a donation location. New Jersey Blood Services (NJBS) reports that last summer over 1500 units of blood were donated on bus mobile drives that cannot run this summer to safely social distance.
If you would like to help save lives by finding a location and assisting in recruiting blood donors please reach out to [email protected]. If you would like to donate blood, sign up by clicking here.
Extra precautions are being taken to help prevent the person-to-person spread of COVID-19. As always, people are not eligible to donate if they’re experiencing a cold, sore throat, respiratory infection, or flu-like symptoms. Additional information on donor eligibility and COVID-19 precautions is available by clicking here.
Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling (File Photo)
MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Surrogate’s Office is proud to announce that it is moving forward with a plan to implement fully remote operations by the fall of this year.
Residents seeking probate services in the Surrogate’s Court will be able to complete the probate process from the comfort of their own homes or offices – a valuable tool in this era of COVID-19.
Starting in November, the public will have the option to complete the entire probate online without visiting the county government and court complex in Morristown.
Historically, the probate process usually has involved making an appointment and traveling to Morristown to complete the probate forms in the Surrogate’s office with the help of a probate clerk.
To improve that process, Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling has directed an IT vendor to move ahead with a software modification to allow for remote probate services.
“As an attorney practicing in the Surrogate’s Court, it was apparent to me that a significant segment of the clients this office serves is subject to mobility issues of varying degrees,’’ said Surrogate Darling. “It has been my plan since the day I was elected last year to implement this significant convenience for the residents of Morris County, and now we have found a way to bring it to fruition without any additional expense’’ she added.
Residents always have the right to come to Probate Court. However, this option will create efficiencies that previously did not exist.
Starting in the fall, clients and/or their attorneys will be able to fill in the necessary information online and submit it digitally to the County Surrogate’s Office for a quick review.
If there are issues with form selection or other matters, probate clerks will be available by phone to quickly make modifications. Final documents can immediately be executed at home and returned via regular mail or through an attorney or courier.
Once the documents, including the original Will and Certified Death Certificate, are received with payment, appropriate certificates will be issued from the Surrogate’s Court completing the process.
“This will provide a tremendous benefit to those using our office – a service that is rapidly being created out of necessity caused by Covid-19,” said Deputy Surrogate Christopher Luongo.
Since Covid-19 related building closures, the Surrogate’s Office has been operating by phone and email. In the event of a fall resurgence of the virus, this new online service will enable the Surrogate’s Office to provide full, efficient, and uninterrupted service to Morris County residents.
Surrogates in other counties have expressed an interest in the system being designed in Morris County and may follow the lead by purchasing the program being designed to Darling’s specifications.
MORRIS COUNTY — Bryant University is dedicated to the pursuit, recognition, and celebration of academic excellence. The University is pleased to recognize the students who have been named to the Deans’ List for the spring 2020 semester.
“These outstanding achievements are particularly commendable as students have overcome significant challenges to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to excellence,” says Provost and Chief Academic Officer Glenn Sulmasy, JD, LL.M. “I am impressed and proud of their resilience, dedication, and innovative spirit.”
Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!
Laurel Carey, Class of 2023, from Madison
Daniel Menack, Class of 2020, Mountain Lakes
Owen O’Keefe, class of 2021, Madison
About Bryant University
For 157 years, Bryant University has been at the forefront of delivering an exceptional education that anticipates the future and prepares students to be innovative leaders of character in a changing world. Bryant delivers an innovative and uniquely integrated business and liberal arts education that inspires students to excel.
With approximately 3,800 graduate and undergraduate students from 38 states and 49 countries, Bryant is recognized as a leader in international education and regularly receives top rankings from U.S. News and World Report, Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes, and Barron’s. Click here for more information.
Governor Phil Murphy. Photo by Rich Hundley, Trentonian
MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Murphy, Senate President Steve Sweeney, and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin announced their support of legislation to change the term ‘freeholder’ to ‘commissioner’ in county governments across New Jersey.
In a joint statement, they said:
“As our nation tears down symbols of injustice, we must also tear down words we use in New Jersey that were born from racism. It’s past time for New Jersey to phase out the term ‘freeholder’ from our public discourse – a term coined when only white male landowners could hold public office.
This is not a matter of political correctness; it is a corrective action to replace an outdated designation that is rooted in institutional prejudice.”
MORRIS COUNTY — Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 163, which requires individuals to wear face coverings in outdoor public spaces when it is not practicable to socially distance and keep a six-foot distance from others, excluding immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners, except where doing so would inhibit that individual’s health, where the individual is under two years of age, or in situations where individuals cannot feasibly wear a face covering, such as when eating or drinking at outdoor dining areas.
“As I’ve said before, we know this virus is a lot less-lethal outdoors than indoors, but that does not mean it is not lethal,” said Governor Murphy. “The hotspots we’re seeing across the nation and certain worrisome transmission trends in New Jersey require us to do more. In the absence of a national strategy on face coverings, we’re taking this step to ensure that we can continue on our road back as one New Jersey family.”
John L. Ferramosca was sworn in as Mayor of Hanover Township as his wife Kathy holds the bible. This appointment is effective July 9, 2020 through December 31, 2020
HANOVER TOWNSHIP — Township Committeeman John L. Ferramosca was sworn in as Mayor of Hanover Township Effective July 9, 2020, through December 31, 2020.
Ferramosca is serving his fourth term on the Township Committee.
In addition, Committeeman Thomas “Ace” Gallagher was sworn in to serve as Deputy Mayor, effective July 9 through December 31, 2020.
After taking the oath of office Mayor Ferramosca said “I look forward to serving the Hanover community in this leadership assignment. I look forward to keeping a great tradition in Hanover of keeping it a safe, affordable place to live, work, and play. I thank the members of the township committee for nominating me and supporting my appointment as chairman. I’m truly honored to serve in this capacity. I’m also very fortunate and blessed to have such a great group of extraordinary colleagues dedicated to the success of Hanover Township. As a team, we work together to optimize our department structure and individual responsibilities. And at this time I’d like to share with you the results of the committee’s work in terms of restructuring the departments that we’re responsible for. We’ll begin with Mr. Cahill. Committeeman Cahill will continue to lead public safety building initiatives and the original schools’ committee. Now Committeeman Mihalko will expand his recreational responsibilities to includes parks and field management, open space, primary education, and substance awareness. Committeeman Gallagher will take on the role of deputy mayor. Mr. Gallagher will be the director of planning and engineering, HSA and EDAC along with lead the subcommittee for school safety, traffic, and parks. While, Mayor Francioli will assume a committee directorship for public works, water management, community farm, and what the committee calls the quality of life initiatives, working with many groups in our township to include our seniors. This plan will be made available and posted in greater detail on the township website. At this time, I’d like to make a quick personal note. I would like to thank my family for being here tonight for their continued support. And especially my wife, Kathy, who’s celebrating her birthday with us tonight. And I highly recommend that you get going to her birthday dinner real soon before your reservation gets pulled. On behalf of the township committee, though, the municipal staff, the numerous board leaders who have contacted me, I’d like to make some commentary about Mayor Ron Francioli. I would like to thank on behalf of this group of people and commend Mayor Ron for his leadership, his extraordinary service, and commitment to the people of Hanover Township.”
“Mayor Francioli has served our community with distinction for the past 40 years, 20 of which when he was in a leadership role as chairman of this committee. Mayor Ron, or the lightning rod, as we affectionately call him, has helped make Hanover into one of the best towns in the County and arguably the best municipality in the State of New Jersey. Mayor Ron is a true fiscal conservative and his policies are true to his roots, which go back to the days when he assumed the seat of the great Assemblyman Mr. R. Alba. Let’s take a minute to reflect upon just some of his highlights, which quite frankly, we’d be here all night. So I’m going to hit on the high, the high ones from Mayor Ron has helped keep Hanover debt-free that is quite an accomplishment, especially in this country, the way in which debt is considered just charging there are real costs to just charging it. We don’t have that debt-free obligation. That’s very, very important. And it’s a credit to his leadership. This has enabled us to keep Hanover an affordable place to live while providing us with a wide range of fine municipal services. Mayor Ron has been an integral part of our planning process and economic development advancement initiatives, which have helped attract and recruit some of what we call here the bluest of the blue chips of fortune 100 companies residing in Hanover Township. That comes through perseverance and great strategic work. Has been and continues to be a friend of our environment. Those of you who may have forgotten, he started in the early days, fighting with CCA. And for those you’ve forgotten Container Corporation of America, they wanted a radically change Hanover Township. They wanted to reopen the operation of a paper mill in the center of our town, thinking what would have happened. if that took place. As a member of the township committee has consistently supported the strategic acquisition of hundreds of acres of open space to include the most recent purchase from the state of New Jersey of 65 acres known as the old Route 24 tract.”
“Mayor Ron is also a compassionate leader and has championed group homes in Hanover Township, which we are all very proud to host these individuals living in our community. He has also fought to support the prioritization of affordable housing for our first responders. And he’s brought that to the state, that initiative. Mayor Ron is well respected throughout the County throughout the State and is a member of the Mayor’s Hall of Fame. Our township committee would also like to especially thank Mayor Francioli for the diligent work serving during the past six month period, which has been very, very arduous. He worked diligently to help lead the development of a responsible debt-free budget during this tough period. And he served untiring way, serving you with all the municipal leaders, staff County departments to keep Hanover a safe place during this COVID-19 crisis. We are grateful to have him in the leadership role that he has provided us. And we truly look forward to and his contributions, which we assure that we’ll be many as the new director, DPW and quality of life and chief mentor to the township committed. We thank you.
Committeeman Thomas “Ace” Gallagher was sworn in to serve as Deputy Mayor, effective July 9 through December 31, 2020
