Town Council Fills Fox's Seat; Elects New Leadership

The Parsippany Township Council has new leadership. At its agenda meeting Tuesday night, the council's first piece of business was to addressed the . They did so, elevating Vice President Michael dePierro to president and elected Brian Stanton to become the new vice president. Immediately thereafter, Republican council nominee . was chosen to finish Fox's unexpired term.

Last month, Fox announced that he would resign his council seat and the presidency effective Sept. 1 in order to accept an appointment to the Morris County Board of Elections.  The new position allows Fox to continue his public service career; in June, his council re-election bid ended with a Republican primary loss to Carifi. 

The outcome seemed all but assured. Council member John Cesaro started to make a motion to nominate Carifi, but was interrupted by dePierro because the candidates had not yet been announced. Three people--Carifi, Adam Gragnani and Vincent Schindel--were up for the position, having been chosen by the Republican Municipal Committee. Once the names were read, Carifi was elected and sworn in quickly.

"It's an honor to serve the residents of Parsippany," Carifi said following his election. "I promise to work very hard for each and every resident."

He also announced an initiative he wants to launch, a community outreach program that would involve a monthly gathering where residents and township department heads can talk about citizen concerns.

Carifi's appointment to the council gives a potential boost to his general election council campaign in November. He now faces his Democratic opponents, , and ,  as an incumbent candidate.