Disgusting back door trick. This was not the purpose of the OSF and they know it. Get all the details and a reasonable estimate and bring it to a town vote.

With the recent waste of money on the commercial scam and waste of money on the town website - the mayor has proven he can't be trusted with Open Space Funds.

Also if the OSF can no longer be used as originally voted upon by the citizens of Parsippany - then the withheld money and additional taxes for it should be immediately refunded to residents.

Mayor is getting bad advice from the township attorney. It may be legal but not we should be doing.If we can not trust the Mayor and council with the OSTF money, I wonder what other treasure chest they will raid next? Mayor is going on a wrong path. I have supported him before but now he is becoming really disappointing because he is picking wrong agendas for the town. There are many more issues he should focus his energy on. Flood in Lake Haiwatha, all the ugly damaged trees from the October storm, traffic, cutting spending etc. Mayor, please reevaluate your priorities. BOE should work on fixing fields not the town.

This new Ordinance would do nothing positive for the OSF. It will destroy the current Fund and place all the money into a huge pot that the Mayor could just go into and stick his hands anytime he wants to pay for some special project.
There would be no guarantees or language to direct money towards any actual Open Space projects.
This Ordinance is BAD for all Parsippany residents.

More back-room dealing. Or at least, more manipuliation of a naive-if-well-meaning Mayor, to put this pot of gold on the table, and then turn his back.

Natalie - you write in your article that "The Township Council is expected to consider on Tuesday a proposed ordinance to dissolve the Open Space Trust Fund and replace it with a Municipal Open Space, Recreation and Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund."

How would this help the flood victims??

In 40:12-15.8 it permits muiniipalities to adopt any or all of what's now in 15.7 by holding a hearing and adopting an ordinance. (What they're trying to do now). Any increase in tax levies would require a voteand, 15.8 requires the OSTF to be renamed to Open Space, Recreation, Floodplain Protection and Farmland adn Histroic Presentation Trust Fund.

(1) I didn't see "floodplain protection" as part of the opening of the Inglessino opinion (as you quoted above)...so not sure why that was missed.
(2) how does floodplain protection help Hiawatha residents if it's floodplain REMEDIATION that we need? Can we get more info?
(3) How can they move from 15.7 to 15.8 when there are legal questions as to the validity of how 15.7 was adopted...and Inglessino mentions that himself in his opinion.

Natalie - can you please post the link to the Inglessino opinion here for all to be able to download and read? It's long, but it's a good read.

I don't feel your slice included here gave enough info for residents, and feel it can be misleading for flood victims who think this is the answer to their prayers. I am all for helping them, but NOT in a misleading, disingenuous way.

Kristen,

Here you go ...

http://www.parsippany.net/web_content/acrobat/proposed/EXECUTED-Opinion-to-Mayor-Barberio-regarding-Open-Space-Trust-Fund.pdf

I think it quite clear.

From Inglesino's letter:

It is also our view that the record can and should be strengthened in this regard. Therefore, we advise the township to hold a public hearing and adopt an ordinance specifically expanding the permissible uses listed in its Open Space Ordinance to include all of the statutorily permitted purposes [that] were recently expanded to include Blue Acres projects which may also be included in such ordinance. This would permit the township to use open space funds to acquire properties that have been "substantially damaged" by natural disasters such as floods.

This seems a bit fishy to me, and odd to be making the paper and taking center stage 24 hours before the reading. Should the word "may" be interpreted?! Can it be confirmed? Based on other reading I've done, this change was primarily driven by the FoD initiative, since there was no way to free up the funding to pay out for it (bonding).

All along, it’s been pitched differently. I would really feel sorry for flood victims if they back this and support it…only to have them left high and dry (no pun intended).

Well said. Seems very oddly timed, Michael. Why would this angle only come to public light less than 48 hours before such a critical meeting? Hmm...

For those of you who are concerned about what is happening in the City of Parsippany regarding the use of these funds, there is a group working hard to bring awareness to this and is prepared to do so legally. If you want to help please see this page http://parsippanyunite.com/make_a_contribution

Remember when Social Security funds were redirected to general expenses for the feds ? Now we have funds that were allocated for a special purpose wanting to be allocated for another purpose: for bonding for an item that will require repairs before the bond is paid for. Trying to follow the flow of these funds gets very confusing. What happens to the land that these funds were supposed to purchase in the future ?

Lets think about this????? Is there any checks and balances???? Say i'm an elected official and whatever choice i make doesnt cost me a dime since I have a municpal budget to back me up and even if I make a mistake and it costs the TAXPAYERS millions. I also have an ordinance that will for my personal mistakes. What do I have to lose?

Can anyone either give another example of this certain wording or any reason to use it?

SECTION 9. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the Township Council and approval by the Mayor in accordance with applicable law and not upon final publication.

It appears there is a particular reason to have this specific wording. Is the Town Council looking to act on this Ordinance if it is passed at the meeting.

Paul Brown, talk about a bumbling idiot. I am sure you know what you are talking about. So far your the biggest jerk on this story. Can you read? Can you comprehend? Go on the town web site and find the opinion letter. It is pretty clear what open space dollars can be used for. Do you need a tutor to help you comprehend? You do make one good point. The economy is bad. The council and the administration find a way to upgrade our facilities without raising taxes and you complain. Paul Brown, for you everything is a scheme when you don't agree with it.

Hey, ParPardon...Glad you have an opinion, but no need to be so rude.

I say we ignore people on these threads who won't use their names. If someone has an opinion and feels they need to malign others...they should be man or woman enough to use their damn name!!

Kristen, well said!!!

Kristen Ritter, I find it kind of odd that you would respond to me because I don't use my name when other do the same on this subject. What I have noticed is that you responded because I do not agree with you. That is beside the point. You have Dorothy, Patchlover, Jeff and even Paul Brown. Do you believe that these are the real names of these individuals? Is it ok for Paul Brown to be so rude? Read his comments. You didn't scold him. Ah, but his rudeness is ok because you might agree with him. Be fair.

Be fair? I don't care if you are anonymous though I would prefer you to be civil as opposed to be bent on name calling as noted in your thread. It doesn't further your position and makes you seem desperate and mean.

I voted for OSF, however, disagree that the intention was to use a disproportionate amount for buying BOE owned lands for turfing and then bonding it out for a long period of time. My view was that it was to ensure that we secure land from over development. If the true intention is not being followed - then it should be dissolved.

Regardless, these are lawyer tricks that are being played out. It is curcumventing and disenfranchising those who took the time to vote for OSF. Why is it that no one wants to bring this up for a town vote? My guess is that there is too much concern that it would fail.

Parpardon
Welcome back.
Your return simply means that people who are raising questions about decisions recently made by the Mayor are getting a little too close to the truth for comfort. Folks, don't be distracted by Parpardon's personal attacks. Simply an attempt by him or her to take the focus of the conversation off topics that can't stand the light of day.

It's everyone anonymous. Check out other threads where I write back to people like "Foil" etc. If people have something to say, get out from behind your computers and come to town council nd BoE meetings. Seriously. I think this kind of debate here is ok, but when it comes to name calling and I see people SO passionate...it's hard to go to meeting after meeting and as the same few people speak.

For everyone who has so much to say about the BoE spending...at the budget approval session, there were fewer than 10 people in the room. Pathetic.

At town council meetings, there are more...but there was only 1 I was at where FoD showed up in full force. All others, it's the same few people on both sides (probably about 10 people) who speak.

All I'm saying here is that I often feel compelled to respond, but it's fast becoming a waste of time since what really matters in these heated issues is being "on the record," and that only happens when you speak at the microphone at these meetings.

So, to people on both sides of the issue...come to the meeting tonight. And next Tuesday. And let's start directing our feelings at the people they should be directed at (Town Council, Mayor and BoE)!!!

Believe it or not, the Patch is represented at each meeting so you'll end up here. However, not anonymous like Frank Drebin, Foil, Etc. I believe in the power of good debate and I'd love to speak face to face with anyone about it and answer any questions they have about my views.

STOP THE MADNESS !!
Show up at the meeting and speak your mind.

Please check out the updated website of

www.parsippanyunite.com

A new Fact Check section has been added. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact Parsippany Unite.

Change happens by listening and then starting a dialogue with the people who are doing something you don't believe is right.
Jane Goodall

I wanted to publicly apologize for any rude comments I may have made. I have come to terms with my issues and realized I have been way out of line with some of my comments. I look forward to working together to form a better future for Parsippany children. Once again please accept my apologiy and I promise to not revert back to my old ways.