Morristown Council Adopts $7.5M Parking Ordinance, 1 Official Expresses Concerns

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The Morristown Council adopted an ordinance at its most recent meeting that left one councilman concerned.

On Tuesday, the council voted 5-1 to adopt Ordinance No. O-22-2025, which provides a $7.5 million bond to the Morristown Parking Authority.

The funds are for the purchase of two properties to establish more accessible parking in the town. This comes around six years after the Morristown Parking Authority tried to build a $17 million parking garage in Lot 10, which failed to get off the ground due the COVID-19 pandemic, according to officials.

Voting ‘no’ was councilman Robert Iannaccone, Ward of the First District, who initially attempted to table the ordinance until more information could be provided.

“Personally I would expect more information to be presented with this… The last time we heard from the parking authority on the status of their financials, they were weak… So to be extending credit, which is what we’re doing here, I think we should actually have a full financial picture of the status of the parking authority,” Iannaccone said. “I’d like to see more about the plan before we actually vote on the bonding to facilitate the purchase of these properties… We should be seeing the plan before we vote to facilitate the plan.”

Iannaccone encouraged the Morristown Parking Authority to present an official financial plan that highlights any amendments to the original 2019 plan. Additionally, he said that Morristown residents should be informed of the plans, and given the opportunity to ask questions and express concerns at a future meeting.

Council President Nathan Umbriac then differed to Councilman David Silva, liaison to the Parking Authority.

Silva offered to invite Morristown Parking Authority Executive Director Nicole Fox to the microphone to speak on the plan, but Iannaccone said the plan should be “a prepared presentation,” claiming it is the council’s responsibility to properly learn about the plan before voting.

Iannaccone’s motion to table the ordinance failed, and it was adopted.

No specifics on the parking plan, or the Morristown Parking Authority’s finances were mentioned during the meeting or in the agenda.