Monday, August 17, 2026
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Petonak Takes the Helm: Boonton Swears In New Chief of Police

By
Frank Cahill
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Morris County Sheriff James Gannon swears in Boonton Police Chief Christopher Petonak.

BOONTON — The Boonton Town Council officially welcomed its new top law-enforcement leader during the Monday, November 17 meeting, where Christopher Petonak was sworn in as Chief of Police.

Chief Petonak, who joined the Boonton Police Department in July 2007, steps into the role following the retirement of former Chief David Mayhood in December 2020. Petonak will earn an annual salary of $147,843. Earlier this year, he completed the prestigious FBI National Academy, a 10-week program recognized nationwide for its advanced coursework in leadership, investigations, and modern policing strategies.

Town of Boonton Police Chief Christopher Petonak and Morris County Sheriff James Gannon

Police Director Brian Gurney commended Chief Petonak’s professionalism and readiness to guide the department forward.

“Chris and I have worked very closely together,” Gurney said. “I recognized early on that he had the skills and dedication needed to lead our department into the future.”

In addressing the Council, Chief Petonak outlined his priorities as he steps into Boonton’s top policing position. “My focus will be on continuing to build a strong team and maintaining the trust of our community,” he said. He emphasized his commitment to ensuring the department “operates efficiently and remains responsive to the needs of our residents.”

The meeting also celebrated the addition of Officer Brooke Savercool, who took the Oath of Office and officially joined the Boonton Police Department as part of its continued staffing expansion. She was appointed as a Special Law Enforcement Officer and will be paid $25 per hour.

Officer Savercool is a 2023 graduate of Ramapo College of New Jersey, where she earned a bachelor of arts in sociology with a concentration in criminology and a minor in sports management.

Director Gurney provided an update on recent departmental accomplishments, noting that “we were able to make 11 promotions in the town” and “hired nine police officers.” He also highlighted fiscal improvements, including a significant reduction in overtime costs. “We were able to cut the overtime down from $450,000 the first year while staying within budget constraints,” he said.

With the swearing-in of Chief Petonak and Officer Savercool, Boonton continues to strengthen its police force and reinforce its commitment to public safety and community trust.

Optimum and Interfaith Food Pantry Network Deliver Critical Hunger Relief Across Morris County

By
Frank Cahill
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Optimum employees volunteer at the Interfaith Food Pantry Network, delivering more than 700 pounds of food collected through the company’s recent community drive. Thanks to the generosity of customers and staff at participating Optimum retail stores, the donations will provide nearly 700 meals for families across New Jersey.

MORRIS COUNTY — Optimum and the Interfaith Food Pantry Network successfully wrapped up a major hunger-relief initiative that brought thousands of donated food items to Morris County residents in need.

During a period of heightened demand for food assistance statewide, Optimum stepped up this season by partnering with IFPN and placing donation boxes inside select Optimum retail stores. Community members responded generously, dropping off non-perishable food items that directly supported families, seniors, and veterans experiencing food insecurity.

“We were honored to partner with the Interfaith Food Pantry Network in this critical effort to help fight hunger across our local communities,” said Elton Hart, Vice President and General Manager of Optimum Tri-State. “With the need for food assistance at an all-time high, it has never been more urgent for us to come together and support our neighbors. Every donation made a meaningful difference and strengthened the ties that bind us here in Morris County.”

The collection effort ran through November 20, 2025, with donation boxes located at Optimum stores in East Hanover, Edison, Morris Township, and Piscataway. The initiative provided an important boost to the Interfaith Food Pantry Network’s ongoing work to ensure Morris County residents have access to nutritious food and essential resources.

Pennacchio Dismisses Claim That NJ Could Withhold Federal Tax Dollars

By
Frank Cahill
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Senator Joe Pennachio

MORRIS COUNTY — Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) threw cold water on the idea that New Jersey could withhold federal taxes or funding for federal programs in protest of the current administration in Washington, D.C. Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill suggested New Jersey could stop paying federal taxes during an appearance on comedian Jon Stewart’s podcast.

“States have no authority to withhold federal tax dollars and are legally obligated to uphold funding for federal programs, period,” said Sen. Pennacchio. “That being said, Governor-elect Sherrill, who ran on the Republican platform of affordability, can save consumers money on their high utility bills by eliminating the sales tax and Societal Benefits Charge. Rather than focusing on running partisan interference against the federal government, Democrats should turn their attention to deliver real, immediate relief for New Jersey families.”

Senator Pennacchio is a co-prime sponsor of legislation with Senator Latham Tiver (R-8) that would suspend the sales and use tax, as well as the Societal Benefits Charge on electric bills. Estimates project their proposal would save the average households hundreds of dollars on energy costs.

Read the full text of the bill, S-4765, online.

Morris County Braces for 2026 Law Changes: Higher Wages, Toll Hikes, and New Veteran Support

By
Frank Cahill
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Morris County residents can expect bigger paychecks in 2026—but rising tolls and living costs may balance out the boost.

MORRIS COUNTY — A new slate of laws taking effect on Thursday, January 1, 2026, will bring noticeable changes to life across Morris County. From wage increases for hourly workers to higher tolls on major roadways, the updates will touch the lives of residents in every corner of the county.

The legislative changes, driven by inflation and infrastructure needs, are designed to support working families, improve care worker compensation, and invest in services for veterans.

Wage Increases for Thousands of Local Workers

The New Jersey Department of Labor has confirmed new minimum wage rates beginning January 1. For the thousands of Morris County residents working in retail, food service, healthcare, agriculture, and small businesses, the bump may offer some needed relief:

  • Large employers (6+ workers): $15.92 per hour (up 43 cents)
  • Small business and seasonal workers: $15.23 per hour (up 70 cents)
  • Agricultural workers: $14.20 per hour (up from $13.40)
  • Long-term care direct care staff: $18.92 per hour (up 43 cents)
  • Tipped workers (cash wage): $6.05 per hour (up from $5.62) Tips must still bring workers to full minimum wage, or employers must make up the difference.

“These wage changes are critical in helping workers afford to live where they work,” said a spokesperson for the Labor Department.

Commuters to Pay More at the Booth

For residents who commute via Routes 80, 287, or cross the Hudson or Delaware Rivers, toll increases will take effect in early 2026:

  • New Jersey Turnpike & Garden State Parkway: 3% increase begins January 1
  • Port Authority crossings (George Washington Bridge, Lincoln and Holland Tunnels): A 25-cent hike is expected the first week of January, pending a December 18 vote
  • Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission bridges: $2 with E-ZPass, $5 without — effective date to be confirmed in December

These increases will affect drivers across Morris County, including those traveling from towns like Denville, Hanover, and Jefferson Township to jobs in New York City or eastern Pennsylvania.

Expanded Support for Veterans

A new set of measures will enhance access to services for veterans throughout the state, including job placement, housing assistance, and healthcare navigation. Morris County’s Office of Veterans Services is expected to help coordinate local rollout and provide guidance to eligible residents.

Stay with Morris Focus for continued coverage as these state-level laws take effect and local agencies begin implementation across Morris County.

Christ the King Church to Host Free Indoor Soccer Clinic for Young Children

By
Frank Cahill
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Soccer, smiles, and teamwork

DOVER — Christ the King Church is offering local families a fun and active way to keep children engaged during the winter recess with a FREE Indoor Soccer Clinic for boys and girls ages 5 to 7. The three-day program will take place on December 29th, 30th, and 31st from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church, located at 39 Orchard Street in Dover.

The clinic is open to children who are pre-registered, and space is limited. Organizers encourage families to sign up early to secure a spot.

Young athletes will learn basic soccer skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship in a safe, supportive indoor environment. The program is designed to provide kids with a fun physical outlet during the holiday break while building confidence and developing new friendships.

Christ the King Church continues to expand its community outreach efforts with events and programs geared toward supporting local families. This winter clinic is part of the church’s ongoing commitment to offering accessible youth activities.

Registration is available by clicking here or visiting the church’s website.

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Mobile Unit Coming to the Morris County Library

By
Frank Cahill
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File Photo

HANOVER — The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Mobile Unit will be stationed at the Morris County Library, 30 East Hanover Avenue, Whippany, New Jersey, later this month to provide REAL ID, registration renewals, and duplicate title services.

The mobile unit will be available on the following dates:

    •    Monday, December 22

    •    Tuesday, December 23

    •    Wednesday, December 24

    •    Friday, December 26

Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

By appointment only.

Appointment scheduling opens Monday, December 1 at 11:00 a.m. and can be made by clicking here.

Please note: This is an official New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission event. All inquiries should be directed to the Motor Vehicle Commission:

Phone: 609-292-6500

Email: [email protected]

East Hanover Plaza Included in Massive $126 Million National Retail Deal

By
Frank Cahill
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East Hanover Plaza at 154 Route 10 in East Hanover — Courtesy: JLL

EAST HANOVER — A well-known Morris County shopping center has become part of a major national retail real estate transaction. East Hanover Plaza, located at 154 Route 10, is one of three properties acquired in a $126 million, three-state portfolio sale finalized between SITE Centers Corp. and Haverford Retail Partners.

The nearly 98,020-square-foot New Jersey plaza was singled out in the deal as a high-performing, fully leased retail center anchored by three powerhouse brands from the TJX Companies: HomeSense, HomeGoods, and Sierra. Together, these tenants occupy roughly 70% of the property, making East Hanover Plaza one of the most stable and sought-after retail destinations in the region.

A Strong Local Asset With Regional Pull

Positioned squarely along the heavily traveled Route 10 corridor — which sees more than 35,600 vehicles per day — East Hanover Plaza draws customers not only from East Hanover, Parsippany, and Livingston, but from across Morris and Essex counties. Its visibility, strong tenant mix, and affluent surrounding demographics made it a standout asset in the portfolio.

The shopping center remains 100% occupied, a rarity in today’s retail market and a testament to the plaza’s enduring strength.

Part of a Multi-State Retail Portfolio Acquisition

The acquisition includes:
    •    East Hanover Plaza — 98,020 sq. ft., East Hanover, NJ
    •    Southmont Plaza — 250,939 sq. ft., Easton, PA
    •    Stow Community Shopping Center — 418,587 sq. ft., Stow, OH

In total, the portfolio spans nearly 770,000 square feet across 46.8 acres, with an impressive 99% occupancy rate. The buyer, Haverford Retail Partners, plans to continue operating the centers as high-performing, open-air shopping destinations.

What This Means for East Hanover

Real estate analysts note that this level of investment underscores the ongoing strength of well-located, open-air retail centers — especially those anchored by national, credit-worthy tenants.

For East Hanover and nearby communities:
    •    No immediate changes are expected for shoppers or tenants.
    •    The sale may open the door to future improvements or reinvestment in the plaza.
    •    The stability of the tenant base helps ensure continued jobs, local spending, and tax revenue in Morris County.

Industry leaders say the deal reflects renewed confidence in suburban retail, especially in high-income markets like Morris County, where demand for home furnishings and lifestyle brands continues to thrive.

Retailers Currently at East Hanover Plaza

A snapshot of the current tenant lineup includes:
    •    HomeSense
    •    HomeGoods
    •    Sierra
    •    European Wax Center
    •    T-Mobile
    •    Five Guys
    •    Club Pilates
    •    Ideal Image
    •    Chipotle
    •    The Vitamin Shoppe

The potent mix of home, fitness, dining, and personal-care retailers contributes to the plaza’s long-term appeal.

Fatal Pedestrian Crash Under Investigation in Morris Plains

By
Frank Cahill
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0
File Photo

MORRIS PLAINS — Morris Plains Police Department confirms a fatal motor vehicle incident that occurred on West Hanover Avenue yesterday evening, November 26.

​The incident, which took place in the vicinity of Stiles Avenue, involved a motor vehicle striking an adult male. The subject was transported to a local medical facility, but regrettably, succumbed to his injuries.

As a result of the incident, a portion of West Hanover Avenue was temporarily closed for several hours to allow for a thorough investigation.

The incident remains under active and collaborative investigation by the Morris Plains Police Department, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office – Crime Scene Investigation Unit.

Witnesses to the incident, that occurred on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at approximately 6:30 PM, are being asked to call the Morris Plains Police Department Detective Bureau at: 973-538-4210 or Morris County Crime Stoppers at: 973-COP-CALL.

No further information, including the identity of the deceased, is being released at this time pending notifications to next of kin.

​A follow-up release will be issued once more information is permitted for public distribution.

A Look Inside the Mountain Lakes Library Makerspace

By
Janvi Singh
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MOUNTAIN LAKES — When you walk into the Mountain Lakes Public Library’s Makerspace, you can immediately sense the energy of creation with 3D printers humming, prototypes scattered across tables, and shelves lined with colorful projects made by students ranging in ages from kindergarten to high school. At the center of this activity is Ian Matty, the director and co-founder of the Makerspace program, whose vision has transformed a small idea into a thriving community hub for creativity.

Around a decade ago, Mr. Matty’s involvement began with a simple goal: finding a chess program for his sons. When none existed, he partnered with the Mountain Lakes Board of Education to start a chess group at Wildwood, which grew quickly in popularity.

During this time, he met Nish, an engineer who shared several of his robotics creations. The hands-on and approachable nature of these projects inspired Mr. Matty to introduce robotics to the chess group. In December 2016, he invited the students to spend an afternoon experimenting with robotics and craft materials. The results were surprising. Everyone was captivated by building, designing, and problem-solving.

Recognizing the potential, Mr. Matty’s wife, Christina, brought the idea to the Mountain Lakes Public Library. The library supported it, offering a small downstairs closet as the first Makerspace room. What began as a few robotics afternoons soon grew into a dedicated program focused on creativity, exploration, and accessibility for elementary-aged students. Ever since, the Makerspace has expanded into a nationally recognized program, dedicated to promoting creativity and collaboration. One of the defining features of the Makerspace is its philosophy. Instead of competition-focused STEM activities, the program emphasizes more activity-based projects and open-ended learning with no experience needed. 

Today, the Makerspace operates as an official part of the Mountain Lakes Public Library. Its funding is supplemented by the Mountain Lakes Educational Foundation. A significant grant from the University of Colorado, awarded through the National Science Foundation, has supported the development of accessible products for people who are blind or have low vision. Around 50% of the Makerspace budget is dedicated to 3D design, one of the most versatile and accessible tools for creating adaptive and educational projects.

The Makerspace is known for its long-term, purposeful iniatives, many of which address accessibility challenges or community needs. Mr. Matty rarely singles out a single favorite. Instead, he focuses on the constant stream of new ideas students bring. These ideas turn into projects that often evolve over multiple years as new students add their own improvements.

Standout Projects

  • Crayon Caps – originally created by student Andreana Lee and later refined by classmates Meaghan Donnelly and Richard He, these caps are made to assist the visually impaired in identifying crayon colors.
  • 3D-Click™ – a universally designed tactile abacus featuring a rod-and-bead system that clicks into place to provide haptic and auditory feedback, which was developed in collaboration with Chi-Hoon Kim and the Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired
  • AltText Project – a team of local students worked with cartoonists Mika Song and Jen de Oliveira to create accessible alt text (a text description that can be read by a screen reader) for weekly webcomics; students produced around ten issues of their own.

However, not all projects are technology-based. One high school student, Conrad, created “Conrad’s Garden,” a long-term botany initiative that demonstrates the program’s openness to all areas of interest.

As the Makerspace continues to expand, its programs evolve along with the students who shape them. Whether developing new adaptive tools, experimenting with emerging technology, or designing entirely new types of projects, the Makerspace thrives on the steady flow of fresh ideas from students and the community.

Montville Township Man Admits to Defrauding Medicare of $2.5 Million

By
Frank Cahill
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0
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.

MORRIS COUNTY — A Morris County pharmacy owner has admitted to orchestrating a multimillion-dollar health care fraud scheme that swindled Medicare out of at least $2.5 million, Acting U.S. Attorney and Special Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Nestor E. Jaime, 37, of Pine Brook in Montville Township, pleaded guilty on November 19, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Katharine S. Hayden to one count of health care fraud.

According to court documents and statements made in federal court, Jaime owned and operated a pharmacy in Paterson and, between December 2019 and December 2021, submitted hundreds of fraudulent claims to Medicare for the antibiotic Dificid. Each prescription carried a reimbursement of more than $4,000.

Prosecutors said the pharmacy never purchased or dispensed the medication.

Stolen Identities and False Provider Numbers

Investigators determined that Jaime used the identities of dozens of Medicare beneficiaries who had never been prescribed the drug. He also misused the unique provider identification numbers of health care professionals to make the fraudulent claims appear legitimate.

Medicare ultimately paid approximately $2.5 million based on the false submissions. Prosecutors said Jaime then spent the illicit funds on luxury vehicles and personal expenses.

Potential Penalties

The charge to which Jaime pleaded guilty carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the financial gain or loss linked to the offense.

Investigation

Habba credited the efforts of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, led by Special Agent in Charge Naomi Gruchacz, and the FBI’s Newark Field Office, led by Acting Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, for their roles in bringing the scheme to light.

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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.

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