Swearing-In Ceremonies, Council Reorganization Set In Parsippany

PARSIPPANY, NJ — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council has scheduled its 2023 reorganization meeting for Jan. 2.

The meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 1001 Parsippany Blvd., and will include the swearing-in ceremonies for returning council member Paul Carifi Jr. and two new council members.

Republican candidate Matt McGrath and Democrat Judy Hernandez will officially join the township council next week.

Hernandez defeated Republican Adam Kandil for the third open seat on the council. Hernandez received 4,537 votes, while Kandil followed closely behind with 4,529 votes, according to the official results.

Hernandez finished fourth in the race for three open seats on the all-Republican town council at the end of Election Day, leaving Carifi Jr., Kandil, and McGrath in the lead. However, on Nov. 15, after counting provisional and last-minute mail-in ballots, she jumped to third place, only two votes ahead of Kandil.

Her initial victory was certified by Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi; however, Morris County Republican Committee Chair Laura Ali told Patch that the committee had filed for a recount to dispute the results.

The recount was completed on Dec. 12 by the Morris County Board of Elections, which confirmed that Hernandez had an eight-vote lead over the next highest candidate.

With Hernandez on the council, the town will now have a 4-1 Republican majority with a Republican mayor.

Long-time Republican council members Michael dePierro and Loretta Gragnani both previously announced that they would not be running for re-election in 2023.

dePierro announced his decision not to run for re-election during a council meeting in January. He also stepped down as council president, as planned, and handed over the gavel to new President Gragnani.

"It is now time to let go," dePierro said.

Gragnani later confirmed she would also not run for re-election after serving two terms.

The two departing council members were recently honored by Mayor James Barberio.

“Loretta and Mike exemplify what it means to be a community leader,” Barberio said. “They did not enter into politics for personal glory, but rather were inspired to give back as best they could to the residents of the Township of Parsippany. I know I will miss the wisdom they provided as they served on the Town Council.”