Candidate Suggests a 9-Member Town Council for Parsippany

Michael Strumolo, a member of the Parsippany Board of Education running for one of two contested Town Council seats in the Republican June 4 primary, says the township's form of government needs to evolve.

Strumolo said the Faulkner model used by Parsippany, with one full-time "strong" mayor and a five-member part-time legislative body, is not meeting residents' needs.

He insisted his thoughts are in no way meant to criticize anyone currently serving.

"I am committed to running a campaign based upon ideas and not personal attacks on any other candidates," he said, but added that citizens must ask themselves some important questions. "Do you know your current Town Council member? Do you feel they are representing your interests well? Do you only see them when they are campaigning for election?"

Strumolo said the township became a Faulkner municipality in 1960, during a time when he said the major industry of Parsippany was dairy farming.

"Well, the dairy farms are long gone, but our form of government has not changed in over 50 years," he said. "Government should always be for the people, by the people. It is my belief that the form of government that Rockaway Township uses would be more successful for Parsippany-Troy Hills than our current arrangement."

The Faulkner Act has three allowable forms, all with a strong mayor who has executive authority over the municipality. Under this form of government, voters may elect legislative councils of five, seven or nine members that serve as the constitutional check and balance to the mayor's executive power. 

Strumolo suggests that Parsippany follow Rockaway Township's lead and move to a nine-member council.

"We should reduce the individual compensation of our current councilpersons and add several more, so that each locality (ward) has its own representative who can more easily be held accountable to that neighborhood’s needs and wishes and add several 'at-large' representatives to better serve the entire town."

Under his plan, having nine elected council members would cost no more than the current five, who in the current proposed 2013 municipal budget receive a total of $66,651, which breaks down to $13,098 annually for each council member and $14,260 for the council president.

"I am calling for the formation of a charter study committee to evaluate whether Parsippany-Troy Hills meets the criteria for such a design change in our local government," said Strumolo.

"If Parsippany-Troy Hills does meet the legal requirements, I believe this is a good time for change and improvement."