Glenmont Commons residents press Parsippany leaders for repairs, updates on litigation over roads and water pipes

Dozens of Glenmont Commons residents used the Jan. 7 public comment period to press the Township Council of Parsippany (Troy Hills) for faster repairs to road patches and updates on litigation tied to water-pipe failures and road ownership.

Residents described repeated water-line breaks, poor patchwork on streets and safety concerns for drivers and children. Several speakers said they have replaced private water pipes at their own expense and asked the township to separate single-family homeowners from homeowners-association claims in any legal process.

Nut graf: Residents said short-term pothole and patch deterioration has caused vehicle damage and safety risks, and they asked the township to explain the status of a lawsuit the municipality has filed against the developer. Township officials confirmed the town has filed a complaint against the developer, that the homeowners association has been named as a defendant and has filed a counterclaim, and that a private meeting with affected single-family homeowners will be scheduled to allow fuller discussion outside the public record.

What residents said

- Vijay Panchamya (resident) said multiple water-pipe breaks occurred in December and January and noted three specific locations with repeated digs and poor patchwork. He said the road cuts were creating sharp edges that have led to flat tires and safety hazards and requested an update on the lawsuit and immediate patching of roads.

- Other residents, including Satish Shranger and Sudhir Umrani, said they have paid thousands of dollars to replace private water pipes and pressed the council to decouple single-family homeowners from homeowners-association claims and to hold the developer and contractors accountable.

- Several residents requested temporary measures — such as proper patching or road plates — to reduce near-term safety risks for vehicles and pedestrians.

Town response and legal status

Town officials provided background: the Glenmont homeowners association previously had bylaws that prohibited dedication of roads to the township; those bylaws were amended in August 2023 to remove the prohibition, and the township then filed suit against the developer seeking repair and remediation. The homeowners association later filed an answer and counterclaim and named single-family homeowners in a count. The township said it has also been named and counterclaims are part of the litigation.

The mayor and other officials cautioned against discussing litigation strategy in public comments, noting public statements could affect legal positions. The township proposed a private meeting with single-family homeowners so officials could discuss the matter more candidly and to avoid revealing litigation strategy publicly. The township estimated — during public remarks — that the cost to fully repair the roads would be approximately $4.8 million (town representative gave that estimate during the meeting), and said the litigation seeks to hold the developer responsible for repairs rather than impose the full cost on taxpayers.

Requests and next steps

Residents asked for three actions: (1) a clear update on the status of the lawsuit, (2) immediate and safer temporary repairs to road patches to prevent accidents and vehicle damage, and (3) decoupling single-family homeowners from HOA liability where appropriate. The township said it will arrange a private meeting with affected homeowners and staff (the mayor’s office and legal staff will coordinate timing) and will provide further updates after that meeting.

Ending: Residents pressed for rapid fixes and accountability; the council and mayor committed to a private follow-up meeting and reiterated that litigation is ongoing and that public disclosure of legal strategy was being avoided for now.