PARSIPPANY — A group of residents from Forest Drive, Woodland Drive, Pitt Road, and the surrounding neighborhood has submitted a petition to the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council opposing a road reconstruction project affecting the area, according to a letter addressed to township officials.
The letter, submitted by Matteo Proietto of Woodland Drive on behalf of the group, states that residents oppose the project and asks the council to halt the work.
A letter distributed to residents by the township’s Engineering Department stated that construction work would include tree removal, curb installation, water system improvements, storm drainage work, road widening and realignment, and the removal of existing pavement and construction of new pavement. The letter was dated June 22 and stated that tree removal could begin by June 24, with construction work set to begin days later, on or about June 29.
Residents wrote that after reviewing that notice, along with correspondence from Mayor Pulkit Desai, it became apparent to them that the project was more extensive than routine paving work.
The letter from residents states that they were not consulted in a timely manner before the project began, and that the Engineering Department’s notice gave what residents described as little opportunity to review plans, ask questions, or provide input before work started.
“This neighborhood has been carefully preserved for generations. Once these changes are made, they cannot be undone,” said Matteo Proietto.
Council President Judy Hernandez addressed the project during a recent council discussion.
“I am an environmentalist, you all know that, and I am not for cutting down the trees. I need to have it proven, and you’re right, trees are the most important thing, and they do cut down trees in this town. We have to have an ordinance in this town, which we don’t have yet, with replacement for any removal, and I want to see why they’re cutting these trees down. I want to see why,” Hernandez said. “I’m also an engineer, and the curve in the road does slow down traffic, and I know that road, because I used to canvass that road a lot, and it’s a beautiful area. However, I do understand that there’s a lot of problems with sewage and stormwater, and so we need to talk to the engineers and find out what their plans are for that infrastructure. They might be thinking that they’re doing a good thing with these curbs, because a lot of people do like them, but as this neighborhood has complained about it, let’s see what’s going on, and of course we need to talk to the mayor too, because the mayor is part of this as well.”
Mayor Pulkit Desai, Business Administrator Khaled Madin and Township Attorney Joseph DeMarco held a meeting directly following the council meeting. “The purpose of this meeting is to get feedback so we can go and sit with the contractor and the engineer and look at adjustments,” said Madin.
Mayor Desai explained that the project was budgeted and designed years ago, and that the practice of sending out short‑notice letters before road work has carried through multiple administrations.
Both Councilman Paul Carifi Jr. and Council President Judy Hernandez agreed that curb installation and road widening appear unnecessary, unless the township engineer can demonstrate a compelling safety or drainage reason.
Because the township’s chief engineer is on vacation, a final decision will be delayed. However, Mayor Pulkit Desai and Township Clerk Khaled Madin assured residents they will present a proposed compromise before the next Township Council meeting. Until then, all work on Forest Drive and Woodland Drive will remain suspended.
