Dear Editor:

My name is Andy Choffo, and I’m the president of the Parsippany -Troy Hills Board of Education. The other board members who spoke tonight and I are speaking alone. We are not representing the Parsippany BOE. 

As Mrs. Golderer alluded to the Council President, past and current board members have supported the mayor’s campaigns. We have knocked on doors, walked, and called on his behalf. He encouraged this political activity when it benefited him; only now that this support has turned to his opponent is it not allowed and irrational. Mayor, that is a textbook definition of a hypocrite. 

Barberio and Inglesino, Inglesino and Barbaria, this Dynamic Duo of Destruction continues to harm the town. The Barberio bungled high-density housing projects that he negotiated will harm our town. Make no mistake. I am going to refer to these developments as Barberio’s Bungalows. 

Barberio’s Bungalows will enrich Attorney Inglesino and the developers with tax breaks paid for by the rest of us.

Let’s talk about the audit and this auditor, Frank DiMaria and Associates. Council, what specific concerns does the Township have about the school’s budget? I’ve never heard anything. For the Township to take the extraordinary action of spending taxpayer dollars auditing the school district, surely something specific must be of concern. Or is the Mayor seeking taxpayer-funded political retaliation as a pretext for the sham audit?

This is not an independent audit. The township has no legitimate authority to audit the school district. This is political retribution unleashed by an unhinged Mayor with tacit approval by this council. It’s a taxpayer-funded hatchet job. 

Now, let’s get back to the auditor, Frank DiMaria. To the Barberio and Inglesino Dynamic Duo of Destruction, we now add Frank DeMaria and create the Triad of Treachery—three chummy people. DeMaria is the CFO of Belleville. Inglesino is the redevelopment attorney for Belleville. Inglesino, Barberio, and DiMaria, the Triad of Treachery. Further, Inglesino and DeMaria also represent Hackensack. It’s very chummy indeed. 

Council President, what was the vetting process for hiring this “independent” audit firm? Were other firms interviewed? I suspect not. I suspect this was a Barberio Inglesino setup from the beginning that was something like this.

“Hey, John, it’s Jamie. That school board’s pissing me off. What can we do to stop this? Well, Jamie, maybe we can hire an auditor, and they can find something in their budget. John, it’s a great idea. Let the township pay them thousands; they’ll find something for you there. OK, great.”

This auditor, DiMaria and Associates, was the school district auditor for Lyndhurst. Despite being their auditor for years, the DiMaria and Associates firm failed to uncover a district deficit of $4 million. That audit firm failed. The Lydhurst School Business Administrator and the DiMaria and Associates firm were removed, or in other words, they were fired, and a state monitor was inserted.

And this is who Barberio wants to bring to our town. 

Dear friends and town council members, did you know that the last township audit uncovered a severe concern that “would enable a person to perpetuate errors and prevent detection within a reasonable period.” 

The town should correct its documented audit deficiencies instead of creating lies about the school district. 

In conclusion, we have learned that Barberio will lie to protect his political position, create a false narrative without merit to sow vision and be inept, or worse, in negotiating with developers to develop Barberio Bungleo’s all over town. He’s happiest when neighbors bow to his whim without question. Barberio deflects to others to cover up his own administration’s failures.

Mayor Barberio, you are failing at your job. The residents of this township deserve better.

Andy Choffo

Dear Editor:

On August 6, 2024, like many of my fellow Parsippany taxpayers, I sat in this chamber and listened as the administration announced a taxpayer-funded audit of the Board of Education. Let me be clear: this audit seems like nothing more than political retaliation against board members who once supported the administration but now find themselves at odds—especially after residential development PILOTS were negotiated without consulting the key stakeholders in our town.

This audit, which falls under the “pay-to-play” statute limits, conveniently bypasses the need for our town council to approve it. But let’s not forget—the Board of Education already conducts its taxpayer-funded audit, which is fully public and submitted to the Department of Education in Trenton. In all my years on the board, never once has the state of New Jersey questioned our financial integrity.

At that same August 6th meeting, as the administration wrapped up its announcement, I watched in disbelief as the council vice president—who served as Board of Education president for six years—sat silently. I served with him during those years, often on the Finance Committee. We reviewed every audit, asked tough questions, and met with the business administrator, the superintendent, and the auditors to ensure everything was above board. The council vice president never raised a single concern about our fiscal management.

Yet now, the administration accuses the school district of poor planning and mismanagement. I remind the council that the Parsippany school district is building additional classrooms at Littleton Elementary School—without asking the public for any extra funding. Does that sound like you are planning poorly?

As an elected official, I’ve sadly come to expect slander from those who disagree with the current administration. But what’s truly disgraceful is seeing the hardworking, dedicated professionals in our district—who count every nickel and dime to keep our budget within the 2% state cap and pass our audits—publicly disparaged. These people do everything possible to avoid cutting services while providing the best education for our students.

So, I ask the town council, not the administration: Why now? Why start this audit after six consecutive years of earning Certificates of Excellence in our audits? With the former Board of Education president sitting beside you, someone who knows the quality of the work being done—why now? Is this political retribution? Is it because we’re fighting for our district’s fair share for the 7,000 students and 1,000 teachers and staff? Or is it because someone said something at an event that the administration didn’t like?

The public deserves an answer—why now?

Parsippany resident
Timothy Berrios

Dear Editor:

I’ve been attending council meetings in the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills for quite some time, and there’s a glaring issue with corporate vacant buildings here. The debate on addressing this problem, especially with PILOT programs at the forefront, has caused unprecedented division in our town. The administration is at odds with the BOE; Republicans are clashing with Democrats, and even Republicans disagree. People are staunchly for or against PILOTs, but I remain neutral, understanding both sides.

COVID-19 and the subsequent changes in work habits have significantly impacted the demand for corporate buildings. With employees working from home, corporations realized they could cut overhead costs, making office spaces less desirable. While some argue that Parsippany remains a prime business location, the numerous vacant buildings suggest otherwise. To address this issue, our town needs creative solutions.

Two community members, Cassara Grasso and Shaun Astorga, have been particularly proactive. They have proposed opening a cannabis store in Parsippany and have presented this plan at multiple council meetings. At the very least, the conversation of having a local cannabis business in town should begin. Despite the administration’s promise to consider and hold a presentation on this proposal, there has been a frustrating delay. Those who oppose PILOTs have yet to offer viable alternatives, but Grasso and Astorga are actively seeking solutions.

Although I haven’t touched drugs or alcohol in over 20 years, I recognize the potential benefits of their proposal. Every day without action is a lost opportunity for revenue. While one cannabis store isn’t a complete solution to Parsippany’s problems, it’s a starting point. Small businesses are the backbone of any community, driving economic growth and fostering a sense of local pride. Supporting ventures like this can help revitalize our local economy and create a more vibrant community. I have 100% confidence in Shaun Astorga and Cassara Grasso and in running a safe and successful cannabis business.

A lifetime resident,
Michael Smith