Dear Editor:

I understand that Mr. Smith, as a long-time Parsippany Municipal employee, prefers the administration that he currently works for over one that might not be as certain or familiar. That is very understandable to me. In my opinion, what is NOT at all reasonable is Mr. Smith’s equating a Musella traffic stop with, what I think was, a New Jersey Court finding of illegal vote handling by Mr. Shah.

I wrote last week about why I thought the traffic stop experience of Mr. and Mrs. Musella was not important at all in voter evaluation of Mr. Musella’s candidacy for Mayor of Parsippany. I never mentioned, not thought about, the 14-year-old New Jersey State Court case finding that Mr. Shah engaged in, what I believe was, alleged as an attempt to influence an election. So, thank you, Mr. Smith for elevating this discussion and reacquainting me with this information. Frankly, if the Parsippany Republican Party leadership was eager to have a candidate join the Parsippany Town Council from the Indian ethnic community, which is a good idea, I think, Mr. Casey Parikh or Mr. Rupil Shah would have been much better choices, in my personal opinion, since they have never been accused of anything but being good and law-abiding citizens.

If Mr. Smith, or anyone, can find ANY way to fairly compare Justin Musella’s and Jigar Shah’s past actions in matters of judgement OR CHARACTER, as relates to public life, please share that with the rest of the voting citizens of Parsippany. I’d be amazed if Mr. Musella comes up short.

Hank Heller

Dear Editor:

I was at the town hall on March 4. It was an obvious attempt to play politics and distract us from the issues that matter to town residents—responsiveness to our needs and representation of our interests.

Two individuals from the audience walked up to make a highly technical public statement, chapter and verse with statute numbers, read out from a sheet of paper, about a 2-year-old speeding violation by Justin’s wife, when she was rushing him to catch a train.

I don’t know if they were lawyers or if someone gave them a lawyerly piece to read.

And then the mayor went on a long rant about public safety. Where was he when I and other neighbors went to him concerned for our safety when Weiss-Aug was shaking our homes so bad building a factory right on our backyards (which should never have been permitted!) that it knocked picture frames off our walls, and even cracked a neighbor’s chimney!

When we had no response, we followed up by sending videos with audios of our homes being shaken – I don’t mean mere noise, but rafters and floors of homes were rattling, and photos of pictures knocked off our walls.

All we had in response was no response—a deafening silence—until Justin discovered what was happening in the neighborhood and tried to screen us from the monstrosity already built as best he could with funds from his campaign.

We need a leader who is concerned, responsive, and a citizen, not politically focused. What happened at the town hall is the kind of political gamesmanship I detest!

Amit Mitra

PARSIPPANY — Less than 24 hours after Councilman Justin Musella announced his running mates, Mayor Jamie Barberio’s allies—Council members Paul Carifi, Matt McGrath, and Frank Neglia—moved to censure him. Their justification? A rehashed video from Barberio’s campaign, showing a routine traffic stop from August 2023.

In the footage, Musella and his wife were pulled over, and the officer appeared to recognize them before asking for ID. Musella admitted to urging his wife to drive faster to catch a train but requested no special treatment. His wife received only a warning. Despite this, Barberio claimed that her presenting Musella’s council card constituted misconduct, using it as ammunition to justify an ethics probe.

Public outcry was swift and overwhelming. Resident after resident called out the absurdity of the attack, labeling it a transparent smear campaign.

“Politics should be about issues,” said Nick Homyak. “The police officer extended courtesy and moved on. It’s clearly dirty politics!”

Jack Raia, a Board of Education member, slammed the council for focusing on petty attacks instead of real issues, reminding them that Parsippany still hasn’t received answers about Barberio’s politically motivated school district audit.

Others highlighted the hypocrisy of the move. “This is just another attempt to push Musella out of the GOP primary,” said resident Bob Venezia, citing how Morris County GOP Chair Laura Ali had previously pressured Musella to drop out.

Residents like Kim Andersen expressed frustration over misplaced priorities, noting Musella had been one of the few council members addressing local water issues, while Barberio’s administration remained unresponsive.

Hank Heller condemned the censure attempt as a disgrace. “This whole thing is garbage and beneath you,” he told the council. “We should be talking about what matters—not going after people who think differently.”

Despite the overwhelming opposition, the council voted to draw up censure charges, with only Councilwoman Judy Hernandez opposing. Musella, undeterred, issued a defiant response:

“This is not about ethics. This is about punishing someone who challenges the status quo… If they think they can intimidate me, they are gravely mistaken. I will not be silenced, and I will not be bullied.”

Many in attendance at last night’s meeting suspect this attempt at political lawfare will backfire on Barberio given the larger number of residents publicly speaking against Tuesday night’s move by Barberio and his political allies. 

Dear Editor:

I have lived in Parsippany for many years; this town is my home. Like many residents, I want a better future for our community. I support Justin Musella for Mayor, Casey Parikh, and John Bielen for Town Council. They are the team that will bring honesty, accountability, and responsible leadership back to our local government.

For too long, we have seen taxes go up, spending get out of control, and decisions made for special interests instead of the people. Justin, Casey, and John will change this. They will stop wasteful spending, control taxes, and ensure residents’ voices are heard in Town Hall.

Justin Musella has already worked hard as a Councilman to fight for taxpayers, stop unnecessary spending, and demand transparency. As Mayor, he will make sure our government works for the people, not for political insiders, developers, and lawyer John Inglesino. 

Casey Parikh has many years of experience in planning, zoning, and community service. He understands how the town operates and will work to make smart decisions that benefit all residents, not just a few powerful people.

John Bielen is a business professional, longtime youth coach, and community leader. His experience in teamwork, leadership, and financial responsibility will help make Parsippany a better place to live and work.

Justin, Casey, and John understand our challenges and have the experience and dedication to fix them. On June 10th, vote for Musella, Parikh, and Bielen to bring real leadership back to Parsippany.

Shardul Kothare

Dear Editor:

We don’t like that Mayor Barberio has revisited a year-and-a-half-old traffic stop involving Justin Musella’s wife as if it were breaking news. Why is this relevant now? Simple—because Musella is running for Mayor.

Please focus on the real issues that affect all Parsippany residents: Overdevelopment threatens our quality of life.

Wildlife habitats are being destroyed for the sake of development. We encourage everyone to come out and vote on the issues.

Alan & Dolores Zelazo

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council will hold its agenda meeting on March 4, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., during which council members will discuss key topics related to redevelopment, municipal projects, and financial approvals.

Click here for a copy of the agenda.

Click here for a copy of the 2025 calendar.

Ordinances – Second Reading & Public Hearing

Two ordinances will be up for public hearing and final approval:

1. 169 Lackawanna Avenue Redevelopment Plan – Adopting a redevelopment plan for this property.
2. Zoning Code Amendments – Proposed changes to Chapter 430 of the township’s regulations.

Public Session

Residents will have the opportunity to share comments or concerns on municipal matters.

Consent Agenda Items

The council is expected to vote on the following:

• Designation of Two Properties for Redevelopment:
  • 2 Sylvan Way (Block 202, Lot 1/1)
  • 4 Gatehall Drive (Block 175, Lot 52)
• Approval of an Online Auction for surplus municipal property.
• Certification of the 2024 Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) Lists.
• Liquor License Transfer for Kura Sushi USA Inc. (Kura Revolving Sushi Bar).
• Approval of Change Orders for ongoing municipal projects, including:
  • Mountain Way Tank Rehabilitation
  • East Hedding Place Retaining Wall Replacement (Final change order)
  • Craftsman Farms Log House Kitchen Restoration & Annex
  • Clarifier Improvements Project

Presentations & Reports

• Water Superintendent Sean Andres will present a PFAS Treatment Feasibility and Master Planning Study, addressing water quality improvements and treatment options.

Non-Consent Agenda – Resolutions for Approval

The council will review and vote on the following:

• Procurement of fertilizers and landscaping supplies for the Knoll Golf Course.
• Legal Service Agreements for Public Defender, Municipal Court Prosecutor, and Hearing Officers.
• Engineering and Infrastructure Contracts:
  • Well No. 8-2 Replacement – A $544,000 contract.
  • Test Pit Program – Phase 1 – A $314,993.75 contract.

Financial Considerations

The council will consider authorizing:

• March 14 payroll, estimated at $1.65 million.
• Approval of bills totaling $2,674,426.11.

Next Meeting

Following this session, the Regular Meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.

Adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Law by filing the notice in the Office of the Township Clerk and by posting the meeting notice on the bulletin board at the Municipal Building on December 2, 2024, where it has remained posted since that date. A legal notice appeared in the Daily Record and the Newark Star-Ledger on December 6, 2024. 

Mayor James Barberio
Council President Paul Carifi, Jr.
Council Vice President Frank Neglia
Councilman Justin Musella
Councilman Matt McGrath
Councilwoman Judy Hernandez

PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Republican mayoral candidate Justin Musella announced that Casey Parikh and John Bielen will join his team as Township Council candidates for the upcoming June 10 primary election. Speaking before a crowd of over 100 enthusiastic supporters, Musella emphasized his commitment to combating mismanagement at town hall, preventing overdevelopment, and keeping taxes in check to build a better future for Parsippany residents.

John Bielen is a dedicated public servant and a leader in Parsippany’s youth sports community. He has played an active role in shaping the next generation, representing the Little Vikings Football League, serving as director of the league’s flag football program, coaching PAL wrestling, and coaching Par-Troy East baseball. His commitment to teamwork, community involvement, and open communication aligns with Musella’s vision for a more responsive and resident-focused local government.

Casey (Kaushik) Parikh, a Parsippany resident for 37 years, brings extensive experience in planning, zoning, and public service. Holding degrees in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, and Finance, Parikh spent 36 years in the professional sector, including leadership roles in the security industry and contributions to NASA’s Space Shuttle launch team. Since retiring in 2013, he has devoted himself fully to volunteering and public service.

Parikh’s leadership experience includes serving as Chairman of the Parsippany Planning Board for 24 years, as a member of the Morris County Planning Board, and as a member of the Parsippany Zoning Board. His service has earned him numerous accolades, including the Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award from the Rotary Club and the Outstanding Community Service Award from the Parsippany Indian Association. His expertise in town planning, zoning, and responsible development makes him strongly advocate for residents.

Musella’s campaign for Mayor is centered on building a transparent and efficient government that listens to and acts on residents’ concerns. With Bielen and Parikh on his team, he is confident they have the experience, skills, and dedication to address Parsippany’s challenges and restore trust in local government.

“I am thrilled to have Casey Parikh and John Bielen join my team,” said Musella. “Their deep commitment to our community and wealth of experience will bring invaluable perspectives to our campaign. Together, we will fight mismanagement at town hall, combat overdevelopment, and hold the line on taxes to make Parsippany a great place to live again.”

Addressing the energized crowd, Musella firmly pledged: “You are looking at the team that will fire Attorney John Inglesino now and forever.” His statement was met with loud applause from the gathered supporters, underscoring the campaign’s determination to bring real change to Parsippany.

Dear Editor:

BOEVP Andy Choffo said it best at the Mayor’s campaign kickoff event last week: “Last year in June, I spoke at the Mayor’s opponent’s rally. I was drawn in by what I like to call the shiny penny effect. There was a shiny new object that warranted attention. However, as I scratched the surface, I began to see that beyond the shiny exterior there was not much substance behind it.”

I used to like Justin, until I got a closer look at the man behind the charming smile and realized there was no substance, just a penchant for lying and bullying.

I have watched Justin at Council meetings. He doesn’t have anything insightful to say about anything. He fails to challenge the Mayor in this setting because he doesn’t know how to run a town. Instead, he uses misinformation through social media to sway people to his side. Musella is an empty suit who makes a decent presentation.

He also has no experience and cannot seem to hold a job for more than 4 years, 3 mos. We had an inexperienced Mayor 4 years ago, and Mayor Barberio is still cleaning up the mess and digging us out of financial disaster. Taxpayers cannot afford to go backwards. Justin has just 3 years in local government, but somehow he thinks that gives him the experience to run a town the size of Parsippany.

When the opponent has no real ideas and can only play the blame game, he is not the right choice. Musella has been asked for solutions, but rather than give us real answers, all we get is “Mayor bad.” Our Mayor is getting blamed for decisions made under Soriano, and that blame is even coming from a former councilman who voted for what he is now criticizing! When I raised this, I was blocked.

This year, our community faces big challenges, including taxes, utilities, affordable housing mandates, etc. We need someone with the experience and proven ability to lead Parsippany, not someone who can only point fingers and has no real solutions. I’m voting for Mayor Barberio and his Council team of Frank Neglia and Jigar Shah. I hope all Parsippany Republicans will do the same.

Siobhan Fuller-McConnell