Year in Review: Top Hopatcong-Sparta Stories of 2012

January

Accused killer Giuseppe Tedesco had a pre-trial conference on the murder trial of borough resident Alyssa Ruggieri. A prosecutor told the court that Ruggieri's refusal to celebrate Tedesco’s birthday led to her shooting death. Tedesco also formally rejected the state’s plea offer of a 30-year prison sentence on the murder charge.

The Hopatcong Board of Education and teachers union reached a two-year contract deal after over six months of negotiations.

Joanne Canizaro, a language arts teacher at Hopatcong Middle School, was recognized as the teacher of the year.

February

More than 100 residents filled the Hopatcong Senior Citizens Center to confront the issue of the borough's rising property taxes. The "Roll back Our Tax" meeting was organized by a resident who was upset the property taxes on his lakefront Ithanell Road home have risen at least 5 percent each year since he moved there in 2003.

The borough council approved an ordinance this month that allows police to skip background checks on big-company peddlers if the peddler meets several requirements.

March

Robert Brennan was named Hopatcong Police Chief this month. Prior to his appointment, Brennan served as the captain since May 2011. He replaced Chief John Swanson after nine years as chief and 26 years at the department.

The Hopatcong school district approved funding the marching band and high school golf team for the 2012-13 school year, after both clubs were wereeither fully or partially parent-funded since both were eliminated from state aid in 2010.

Hopatcong Police Officer Christopher Lotito saved a woman's life after she overdosed on heroin.

April

Former Hopatcong High School football star Joe Martinek Jr. signed with the New York Giants after his collegiate career at Rutgers. He felt excited for the opportunity to play for an NFL team, especially close to home. "It's just another challenge, another step," he said. "I'm part of another team now and now I have to establish myself again." In August, Martinek was one of the 15 players cut from the roster, but found out in October that he was back on the team on the practice squad.

Hopatcong's board of health sued the borough on allegations that the borough mayor and council violated state laws by passing legislation granting their administrator power to appoint health department employees.

Owner of Curves in Hopatcong announced she would close the business in May after a 10-year run.

May

The Hopatcong Board of Education voted to hire a new high school principal for the fall and for a wide-ranging administrative reconfiguration. Several parents were upset with the decision and spoke out at the meeting.

More than 600 people helped raise nearly $20,000 for 3-year-old borough resident Dylan Flinchum, who suffers from a terminal disease, at the Dylan's Dinosaur Stomp 5K Run & Family Day.

Hopatcong school district librarian Joan McCormack passed away at age 79. Students honored McCormack, who worked in the district for almost three decades.

June

Hopatcong High School physical education teacher Hilary Gorzelnik was suspended while the administration investigated whether she violated the district's code of ethics. Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano said he couldn't comment on the Gorzelnik investigation due to state privacy laws, but he understood "there's a lot of rumor and innuendo."

Hopatcong district superintendent Dr. Charles Maranazano announced his retirement for 2013.

PSEG to help mitigate the impact the Susquehanna-Roseland power line project could have on environmental and public safety.

It was announced that Hopatcong resident Dennis Tobin was taking over as the superintendent of Sparta schools.

July

Hopatcong Mayor Sylvia Petillo on a mailing to borough residents urging them to vote "yes" to a referendum last November, the state Department of Community Affairs said.

In perhaps the most contentious meeting in recent district history, complete with arguing and a reversed vote, Hopatcong's Board of Education hired a new high school principal when she agreed to a contract less lucrative than what she was first offered.

August

Hopatcong High School was ranked 289th out of the 328 state public high schoolslisted by New Jersey Monthly magazine this year.

The New York Giants cut former Hopatcong High School great Joe Martinek Jr. from the team due to required roster cuts. In October, Martinek found out he was back on the team on the practice squad. 

A large turnout at the late August BOE meeting saw parents question Hopatcong High School's ranking in New Jersey Monthly magazine. Board members agreed with the need for change, defending recent efforts that have gone into improvements over many areas. They announced the task force group formed to improve the high school. 

September

More than 100 teachers picketed outside a Hopatcong BOE meeting regarding the dispute between the Hopatcong Education Association and the school board about healthcare contract language.

The teachers union filed a laber charge against the BOE in response to their withheld raise. They BOE said the health care contribution language in contract needs resolved; union said new state law makes language unnecessary.

Accused murderer Giuseppe Tedesco's plea request was rejected in a status conference before Superior Court Judge Peter Conforti.

October

A month-long drug investigation, dubbed 'Operation Roxicong,' led to the arrest of more than two dozen people in Hopatcong and Roxbury in late October who were charged with offenses relating to heroin, marijuana and prescription drug distribution.

The devastation from Hurricane Sandy in late October left Hopatcong completely without power for over a week, and for some, two weeks.

Former Hopatcong High School football great Joe Martinek Jr. was signed onto the New York Giants on the practice squad.

November

When the borough went into week two without power following Hurricane Sandy, Mayor Sylvia Petillo released her first of several communication updates, and said said she plans on having more updates on power restoration and communicating with residents daily.

Two Hopatcong firefighters, who saved a woman who drove her car into Lake Hopatcong, said she was lucky to be alive after being trapped in her car in the freezing cold for at least 15 minutes after hitting a guard rail.

Hopatcong residents filled the Municipal Building at the first borough council meeting since Superstorm Sandy. Many residents wanted answers about the lack of communication from the storm. Both officials and residents agreed that communication was where most of the problems evolved during storm's aftermath.

December

A retired Sparta employee was killed after he was struck by a garbage truck while crossing Knoll Road in Sparta. James Friedberg, 71, was the former Sparta Township Animal Control Officer.

Accused killer Giuseppe Tedesco claimed self-defense in court for when he shot 22-year-old borough resident Alyssa Ruggieri in 2010.

Pavinci's held a fundraiser called Hurricane Hopatcong to raise money for the borough families who lost their homes from Hurricanen Sandy.