PARSIPPANY — Mayor Pulkit Desai announced his final decision on the contested Forest Drive and Woodland Drive road project, saying the plan will move forward without curb installation or tree removal, following weeks of resident meetings and a deeply divided neighborhood petition.
“Over the past several weeks, I’ve met with residents to walk the neighborhood, review the engineering plans, measure the roadway myself, and listen to everyone’s concerns,” Desai said. “This was not an easy decision, because there wasn’t a clear consensus. After speaking with nearly every resident, including many who shared their thoughts with me privately, and reviewing the petition, it became clear that the neighborhood was almost evenly divided. Some wanted the project to move forward as originally proposed. Others did not.”
“When that happens, the mayor just does not get to sit on a fence,” Desai continued. “My job is to listen, weigh the facts, and make the decision I believe is best for the neighborhood and the township, regardless of whether you call an assemblyman or you call the governor. They have zero input on any of this.”
Desai said the project will focus on paving the roadway, making minor straightening improvements where appropriate, installing traffic-calming measures, and upgrading the underground water infrastructure to current engineering standards.
“There will be no curbs. There will be no trees removed,” Desai said.
He added that the township will go a step further this fall by planting additional trees “to preserve and enhance the rural character that makes this neighborhood so unique,” and will install additional fire hydrants to improve fire protection in the area.
“My job is to listen, weigh the facts, be honest, and make the decision I believe is right for both the neighborhood and the township,” Desai said. “That’s exactly what I’ve done.”
