Leadership Changes for Township Council

There are changes at the top for the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council. During its first meeting of the new year Tuesday night at , in selecting a new president and vice president, the body gave the public a tiny glimpse into its workings.

The start of the meeting featured 2011 Council Vice President Brian Stanton sitting in the president's chair of the council chambers dais, an occurrence that apparently rarely occurs. Likely it is a moment most in the large audience missed, but resident Pat Petaccia noticed.

A few moments later, Brian Stanton was voted the new president. Only his presidential predecessor, longtime Councilman Michael dePierro, voted against the appointment.

The new president thanked "some of the members" for selecting him. Stanton pledged to residents that he will work hard to listen to their needs and be accessible.

"I'll never forget rule No. 1," he said. "Parsippany and its residents come first."

Wasting no time, the council moved directly into accepting nominations for vice president. There was only one: Vincent Ferrara, who was approved by a unanimous vote and made no victory statement.

During the public comment portion of the agenda meeting that followed the reorganization (more information on new committee appointments is coming soon), Petaccia stated her discomfort with seeing Stanton seated in the council president's chair prior to the meeting's start.

"It appears you all plotted this out in advance," Petaccia said, registering a complaint over Ferrara being voted vice president despite his short council tenure. Ferrara was appointed to fill the unexpired term seat of Freeholder Ann Grossi last year and won that seat outright in the general election just about two months ago.

Stanton replied that he meant no disrespect, but noted that he had taken his usual seat when dePierro encouraged him to take the president's chair rather than have to move during the meeting after the vote.

Stanton did not deny that the decisions to elect himself and Ferrara were made prior to the meeting's start.

"I knew going in that I had the support for president," he told Patch, adding that dePierro was aware as well. "I took him out for breakfast. I was disappointed that he didn't support me, but I would never disrespect him."

Councilman John Cesaro, a six-year council veteran, defended Ferrara's election, noting that he (Cesaro) had been elected president in his second year.

"I have faith in President Stanton and Vice President Ferrara," he said.

The reorganization also included selections of new township board and committee positions. Patch will have a complete list shortly, but among the announcements made was one stating that the Zoning Board of Adjustment will retain four-year-term members George Kimmey and Brian Kelley.

The ZBA also picks up a new second alternate member: Amil Shah is the brother of and a nephew of , who gained notice last year when his work for the primary election campaign of dePierro, Ferrara and Stanton's Team Parsippany ticket resulted in allegations of absentee ballot fraud. (The councilmen all deny any wrongdoing and to this point, nothing has come from the accusations, which arose during the .) Amil Shah is a  alum and a 2011 graduate of Rutgers University.

Stanton said the committee decisions were ones he made prior to the meeting.

A number of political notables attended the meeting to send well wishes to the . Among the visitors: Freeholders Ann Grossi and Thomas Mastrangelo, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen and Assemblyman Jay Webber. State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio and Assemblyman Alex DeCroce sent messages of congratulations to the new council.