MORRIS COUNTY – Kaufman, Semeraro & Leibman Partner Mark J. Semeraro and associate R. Scott Fahrney have secured a $2.3 million total settlement in a personal injury action on the behalf of their client Stefanida Sloan in the matter Sloan v. Sussex County and Asphalt Paving Systems, Inc., et al.

This lawsuit was filed as a result of a serious head-on collision where Ms. Sloan was struck in her lane of travel, on County Road 565 in Wantage, New Jersey on September 4, 2014.

At that point in time, Ms. Sloan was struck in her lane of travel by uninsured motorist, Matthew Giamanco.  That road had recently undergone micro-resurfacing and the County and its contractors had opened it to the public, without any temporary lines on the road surface and without providing compliant traffic control devices in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

While the contractor and Sussex County argued against any wrongdoing, Kaufman, Semeraro & Leibman, LLP retained the appropriate professionals to provide expert testimony that the County and contractor failed to follow the mandates of the MUTCD, and their failure was a contributing factor to the accident and Ms. Sloan’s injuries.

Ultimately, on the eve of arbitration, the Defendants agreed to settle for $2.2 million, without admitting liability.  In addition, Ms. Sloan’s own insurance carrier contributed $100,000.00 in uninsured motorist benefits, for a total settlement of $2.3 million.

If you or anyone you know has suffered serious personal injuries in a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall, construction site accident, please contact Mark Semeraro at (973) 585-6254.

TRENTON — The New Jersey Division of Taxation reminds taxpayers to take advantage of the New Jersey Tax Amnesty program as the January 15 deadline is fast approaching. Tax Amnesty provides individuals and businesses with the opportunity to pay back taxes or file past returns with no penalties and reduced interest, but Tax Amnesty payments must be paid no later than January 15.

Signed into law in July 2018, the New Jersey Tax Amnesty launched on November 15, 2018. The program applies to outstanding tax filings or payments that are due on or after February 1, 2009 and prior to September 1, 2017. Benefits to Tax Amnesty include waived penalties such as late filing and late payment, and one-half of the balance of interest due as of November 1, 2018.

“Thousands of New Jersey taxpayers have already taken advantage of the benefits of the Tax Amnesty program but time is running out,” said John Ficara, Acting Director of the Division of Taxation. “We strongly urge anyone who qualifies for amnesty to take advantage of the program by the January 15 deadline, to avoid incurring greater penalties.”

Taxpayers who do not take advantage of Amnesty before January 15 will incur a five percent penalty that cannot be waived or abated. This is in addition to all other penalties, interest and other costs authorized by law.

In November, the Division of Taxation mailed a letter to all taxpayers who are known to have amnesty-eligible deficient and/or delinquent accounts. In addition, an extensive outreach program has been undertaken to reach as many taxpayers as possible.

For more information, New Jersey taxpayers or their representatives may contact Taxation representatives at 1-800-781-8407 Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. or click here.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the New York Football Giants, William J. Heller, Esq. will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of Explorer Post 22. Young men and women, ages 14-20, who are interested in careers in Law are invited to attend.  They will meet on Saturday, January 12  from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Patriots’ Path Council, 1 Saddle Road in Cedar Knolls.

Mr. Heller will speak on legal issues such as contract negotiations for players and coaches; licensing, sponsorship and vendor agreements; human resources, workers compensation and privacy issues; legal issues related to operation of MetLife Stadium and Quest Diagnostics Training Center (the Giants’ Training Facility).

This meeting is free but space is limited.  Please register by clicking here.

Law Explorer Post 22 is chartered to the Morris County Bar Foundation. Post advisors Andrew Jacobs, Esq. and Linda Mainenti-Walsh, Esq. lead monthly meetings and invite guest speakers including judges, prosecutors, and attorneys practicing in fields such as criminal, family, environmental, immigration, and intellectual property.

Exploring is Learning for Life’s career education program for young men and women who are 14 to 20 years old.  Exploring’s purpose is to provide real world experiences to help young people decide what field, or area within a field, they will pursue as their career.

For further information please contact Al Thomas, District Executive at (973) 765-9322  ext. 229.

MORRIS COUNTY — An 11-acre surplus parcel from the Loyola House of Retreats is being permanently preserved as an addition to Morristown’s Foote’s Pond Park, it was jointly announced today by the Trust for Public Land, Morris County, the state Green Acres Program, and Morristown.

This acquisition will nearly double the size of the popular park and, with the planned enhancement of the trail system, should add to the attraction of this open space, located just a mile from the bustle of the Morristown Green.

The Morris County Preservation Trust, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program, and Morristown all contributed to the $2.1 million purchase. Morristown will own and manage the property.

“We are excited to have helped preserve another great resource for the community in Morristown,” said Greg Socha, Senior Project Manager for The Trust for Public Land.

The Loyola property has been a priority for conservation for many years. It was highlighted as a preservation opportunity in the town’s 2011 Open Space Plan.

In addition to its enhancement of Foote’s Pond Park, the tract – which is located in the headwaters of the Great Swamp watershed — also is an important element in local watershed protection.

Preventing future development at this location will eliminate potential impacts to an already stressed watershed, and the open space will offer important groundwater recharge.

“The high quality of life in Morris County is directly connected to the preservation of open space, as well as farmland and historic properties, financed by residents of Morristown and the entire county through funding specially dedicated for these purposes,’’ said Morris County Freeholder Christine Myers.

“Open spaces in Morristown and across the county are used to create parks, connect trails, offer recreational opportunities for our residents, help our environment, and ensure that we have green spaces in each of our towns as places to think or breathe,’’ Myers added.

Foote’s Pond Park is a popular spot for local wildlife observers, birders and photographers. Currently, the property is open to the public and can be accessed at the trailhead off James Street, near the Thomas Jefferson School.

The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities. To learn more about The Trust for Public Land, visit www.tpl.org.

For more information on the Morris County Preservation Trust click here.