Morristown council elects leadership, approves most reappointments; parking-authority nominee fails

Nathan Umbriak was elected council president and sworn in, and Pastor David Silva was elected vice president during the Town of Morristown’s Jan. 7 reorganization meeting, where the council also approved a slate of reappointments to boards and authorities and adopted four resolutions.

The reorganization meeting set new liaisons and filled several board seats that give the town ongoing oversight of planning, zoning, parking and utilities. The council unanimously adopted resolutions R-1-2024 through R-4-2024. Most appointment votes were unanimous, but a nomination to the Morristown Parking Authority failed after debate about whether the nominee lives in town.

Council business began with nominations and oaths for council leadership. Following nominations, Umbriak and Silva each repeated the oath of office and were sworn in. After roll call confirmed a quorum, the council took up board and commission vacancies and appointments, including two five-year parking-authority seats, zoning board appointments, reappointments to the rent-leveling board and the water authority, and several liaison assignments.

During consideration of the parking-authority seats, council members objected to a nomination of Joe Laboza Jr. because he is a nonresident, saying the town has a policy preference of filling authorities with residents. Town Attorney David Mincello told the council that “from a legal standpoint, there’s no prohibition on a nonresident holding a position with the parking authority.” Despite that legal position, members said they preferred residents for these policymaking posts. The council vote on the nomination resulted in three abstentions, two no votes and one yes; the motion failed.

Council members then reappointed a five-year commissioner (Commissioner Tai) and appointed Chris Garibian to an unexpired parking-authority term; those appointments carried. The council reappointed Tom Ferraro, Scott Wilde and Nancy Halterman to the Zoning Board of Adjustment; reappointed Mark DeMathis to the Rent Leveling Board; and reappointed Max Huber to the Water Authority. All of those motions passed on recorded or voice votes as announced by the president.

The council also set council liaisons to boards and commissions. Pastor Silva was named council liaison to the Parking Authority, Councilwoman Gina Lindsey was named liaison to the Housing Authority, Steve Polipcheck will remain liaison to the Morrisown Partnership, and Councilman Chris Russo will remain liaison to the Planning Board. Council President Umbriak appointed himself to the Community Development Revenue Sharing Advisory Committee.

Votes at a glance

- Election of Nathan Umbriak, council president — outcome: approved (unanimous roll-call yes). - Election of Pastor David Silva, vice president — outcome: approved (unanimous roll-call yes). - Nomination of Joe Laboza Jr. to Morristown Parking Authority (five‑year term ending 12/31/29) — outcome: failed (3 abstain, 2 no, 1 yes as announced). - Reappointment of Commissioner Tai to five‑year parking‑authority term — outcome: approved (voice vote announced as carried). - Appointment of Chris Garibian to unexpired parking‑authority term (exp. 12/31/2028) — outcome: approved (motion carries). - Reappointments to Zoning Board of Adjustment: Tom Ferraro, Scott Wilde, Nancy Halterman — outcomes: approved (motions carried). - Reappointment of Mark DeMathis to Rent Leveling Board — outcome: approved (motion carries). - Reappointment of Max Huber to Water Authority (term expiring Jan. 31, 2030) — outcome: approved (motion carries). - Adoption of resolutions R-1-2024 through R-4-2024 — outcome: approved (unanimous "yes" votes announced).

Council members expressed that filling authorities with residents supports local accountability and offers stepping-stone opportunities for residents to gain public-service experience. The meeting concluded after housekeeping items, with the council president noting the town will continue to advertise open positions and seek additional candidates for boards and commissions.