Politics & Government
Township Property Purchase Halted By Lack of Appraisal
Ordinance to purchase 360 Troy Rd. tabled by council.
An ordinance for Parsippany Township to acquire the property of 360 Troy Road was tabled on Tuesday, as Council members were concerned that the property had not been properly appraised, and that the timetable for the purchase has run its course.
During Parsippany’s town council agenda meeting held on Tuesday at Parsippany Hills High School, a motion to table the plans to acquire a property was spearheaded by Councilman Jonathan Nelson. It would have been up for a first reading on August 20.
“I talked about this a little, before the ordinance was introduced,” said Nelson. “Has the township appraised the land?”
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After the township administrator, Jasmine Lim, said that there was no appraisal done on the grounds, Nelson said, “What was the purchase price based on? The Open Space Committee recommended this a few years ago; it’s not on the list of recommended properties to be purchased.”
“I’m opposed, and without putting words into Councilman (Michael) dePierro’s mouth, I believe he is to,” added Nelson, requesting that the ordinance be tabled.
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“The property was assessed at $217,000, on May 12, 2011, and was unanimously approved at an (earlier) meeting,” said Mayor James Barberio. “And these are buildable lots.”
Township attorney, John Inglesino then said that there was only “a recommendation to acquire the property,” saying that nothing the Open Space Committee does in that regard is “binding,” because they are advisory only.
“There’s been no appraisal (currently)…there’s no way to support purchasing this land,” said Nelson, making a motion to table.
Before the vote was underway, Councilman Michael dePierro discussed his earlier “yes” vote for the property’s purchase, as he sits on the Open Space Committee.
“I voted for it in 2011, but there’s right time and a wrong time to do something,” he said. “We’re getting tax appeals all across town, and it just does not seem like a good idea now.”
Soon after, the elected officials unanimously voted to table the ordinance.
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