Dear Editor:
These comments were read during the public speaking portion at the Parsippany Town Council meeting on December 5, 2023.
Why is attorney John Inglesino being allowed to represent developers to this council, pushing for the PILOT program while at the same time, his firm is under a contract with the town of Parsippany?
His firm does work on OPRA requests and tax appeals for our town. It is undoubtedly a conflict when someone requests OPRA information about these projects and the attorney and law firm representing the developers may be the one reviewing these requests and determining when and how much of the information is released. Also, it does not seem ethical that someone working for the town, who is essentially your colleague is here in front of you asking you to vote for something that benefits him in a personal financial way.
John Inglesino has already billed the town nearly $60,000 this fiscal year for OPRA and Tax Appeal work. How can he be representing the town and at the same time the developers against the town? He is billing Parsippany to work on tax issues and advising and working for developers on ways to pay less taxes to Parsippany and we, the taxpayers are footing his bill. This is similar to having the same attorney as both the prosecutor and defender.
What disappoints me is that this is no secret to any of you up on the Dais. This council and Mayor voted for his contract. Yet, with this knowledge of him representing both sides, here he is with nothing being done about it. Loving Parsippany, as we often hear being said in this room does not mean loving your buddies that you grew up with and giving them handouts. It means loving the town and doing what is best for its citizens.
I ask that the council and the township attorney either terminate his contract with the town or exclude him from testifying or representing clients in front of this same chamber that he is billing us taxpayers to work for.
Michael Espejo
Parsippany
