PARSIPPANY — Township Council members voted 3-2 last week not to reappointment Township Attorney John Inglesino. Mayor James Barberio asked the Council to approve a professional services agreement for the year 2016. Council President Louis Valori, Council Vice President Robert Peluso and Councilman Paul Carifi, Jr, all voted against the reappointment of Inglesino, while Councilman Michael dePierro and Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani voted in favor of his reappointment. (See Resolution 2016-18)
In 2014 and 2015 the Township Council failed to confirm the appointment of Inglesino as Township Attorney, and as a result Inglesino continued to serve as Township Attorney in holdover status, but Mayor James Barberio retained him on as a holdover. Parsippany Focus asked Mayor James Barberio for comment, but he refused to supply a comment.
Resident Pat Pettacia, a regular attendee at Council meetings said, “I hope when each member of the Council places their vote, they explain why they are voting for or against the reappointment.” Council Vice President Robert Peluso was the only one to respond to Pettacia’s request when voting. Mr. Peluso said “I think the costs are astronomical, more than the county actually pays for legal fees and I strongly believe the rate for legal fees should be fixed.”
Council President Louis Valori said “that while the vote against Inglesino was based solely on the law firm’s transparency on the question of the townships legal bills, he added the Council stand committed to working with Inglesino to resolve matters looking toward a regular appointment in 2017.
Valori who is running for the Republican nomination for Morris County Freeholder with Parsippany based Peter King, Esq. added that the Council’s goal is to build on better communications with the Mayor, concluding “If Mayor Barberio wants Mr. Inglesino on board in 2017, I would give him strong consideration.”
While being a holdover for Calendar Year 2015, Inglesino’s firm, Inglesino, Pearlman Wyciskaka and Taylor received $830,112.57, from Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills. The firm was issued two different 1099’s since the accounting system changed in Parsippany. (Click here to view 1099-1, and click here to view 1099-2).
