Dear Editor:
This is my response to “Resident Sounds off about Proposed Lake Parsippany Easement Assessment”. An important issue which the letter failed to mention, is how many people use the lake’s property for free.
I grew up in Lake Parsippany, I was a member of the lake as a child, that’s where I learned to swim. I may no longer want to swim in the lake but I do enjoy its beauty. It’s still beautiful to look at and it’s the reason I moved back to this section of Parsippany. Even though I moved here because of the lake, I opted not to become a member. Would you like to know why? Because now a days people just roam all over the private property. Why should I pay a membership to walk on the grounds when a large percentage of residents use the lake property without being members? This is why I am for the mandatory assessment fee. The truth is the lake needs money to maintain, to remain viable and it is understandable that people who do not want to swim in it, do not want to join the association but it’s not fair that people refuse to abide by the rules, take advantage and continue to use the lake’s grounds. In the past, I have blamed the LPPOA for that, but I guess they can only do so much.
The letter mentioned property sales. Currently, Indian Lake’s assessment fee is $135. Let me tell you, that community’s property sales are not hurting. Also, that community is not cutting down all its trees and tearing down all its 2/3 bedroom homes. 2/3 bedroom homes actually sell for decent prices in that neighborhood. If my home was located in that lake community, I could sell it but in Lake Parsippany, it’s considered a “Tear Down”. That part of Denville, like so many other Morris County lake communities, has a thriving real estate market and also maintains the integrity of its homes and the health of its lake. Not every tear down in Lake Parsippany in recent time has been a derelict property. These new construction homes are just about square footage, not quality or craftsmanship. This trend hurts my property value. It’s all related. I’m sure people will say I am against change. Well, if embracing change means we‘ll be walking around a dried up pit, surrounded by treeless lots and soulless McMansions, then yes, I have a hard time accepting change.
And with regards to our tax money being used to keep up the dams, dikes, spillway, spillway bridge, detention and retention basins, as the letter states, let’s be clear, our storm drains run into this lake’s catch basins, tax money must go towards that maintenance or it would be a real mess for everyone who lives in the area. That’s not us contributing to or helping the LPPOA. The association’s cause is admirable. They want the lake healthy and clean so it can be enjoyed by generations to come – swimming, fishing, sailing, walking, jogging . . . this means extra care and support is needed.
Or maybe we should just let it become a state run cesspool?
I work two jobs to make my mortgage payment and let me tell you, I will scrape, save and sacrifice to make that $115 assessment fee. I recently asked my 96 year old Grandmother, who lives off my Grandfather’s modest pension, her opinion. She said, “Something’s in life are worth the price”. That summed it up for me. One of her only enjoyments is being driven around that lake, watching the sunset, looking at the swans. If there is not enough funds to ensure the health of that lake, we as a community should intervene. Lake Parsippany should be maintained by the residents that live here, like all the other nearby lake communities. I do not want that lake turned over to the state. It will become a hole in the ground. A smelly hole in the ground. That lake deserves a longer life span and I think we owe it one. And if people are going to continue to walk on LPPOA’s property, have picnics, sit on its benches, pose for selfies . . . then they should contribute.
Something’s are worth the price. Let’s try to hold on to what little beauty is left in this town. As we all know, Lake Parsippany is a man-made lake, and it must be maintained properly or it will die. I like to end this letter with a small list of some uncommon birds that either reside or visit Lake Parsippany from time to time. In these present times, where nature is not respected nor welcomed, it is humbling and reassuring to witness wildlife benefitting from man.
Thank you
Bridget Cazzetto
