Hospital expansion, leaf-blower ban highlight Morristown council candidates forum

A potential 11-story addition to Morristown Medical Center and a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers dominated the discussion this week at a Morristown council candidate forum,

The virtual debate on Monday featured the contenders in the town's only contested council race this fall: Ward 4 Democrat Christopher Russo and Republican Bruce Meringolo. Three ward seats in Morristown are currently held by Democrats, including Council President Sandi Mayer, who lost her bid for re-election to Russo in the June primary.

Russo is the co-owner of Superhero Events, an organization that stages running races for local communities and charities. Meringolo works for the DISH Network in site acquisition after 14 years in commercial real estate. The forum was hosted by the League of Women Voters Morristown Area, which posted a video of the discussion on its Facebook page.

Morristown Medical Center expansion

The candidates did not differ widely on most issues, although Meringolo, a former Long Hill mayor now living in Morristown, specifically took the Democratic majority council to task for a "shameful" lack of transparency on recent public discussions regarding the medical center.

"The hospital expansion is big on everybody's mind," said moderatorMarlene Sincaglia, whose first six questions were related to hospital issues including expansion and taxes.

Morristown Medical Center is part of the Atlantic Health System, the county's largest employer. In a statement last month, the hospital offered no specifics on its potential expansion, saying only that a "variety of plans" were under consideration.

But council members briefed on initial discussions said the hospital has talked of a major overhaul on and around its campus that could include a new 11-story tower, a six-floor parking garage and the construction of several more buildings on adjacent property.

The Fourth Ward includes the Parsons Village and Convent Mews neighborhoods that border the hospital property on Madison Avenue.

Regarding the proposed 11-story tower, Meringolo said, "I think 11 stories would be a bit much. Seems way too tall for that area."

"I'd have to see the plans," Russo added. "But I understand why my neighbors in Parsons Village and Convent Mews are concerned about this."

"I don't know if an 11-story building would fit," he said.

Where candidates stand on leaf blower ban

A controversial upcoming public vote to ban the use of gas-powered leaf blowers intown from January to September was another topic of interest. The council in August failed to pass a resolution banning the equipment but agreed to let the voters decide in the form of a November ballot question.

Russo, who lives in the 40 Park condominiums and has no lawn, said "I've talked to plenty of residents working in a hybrid situation and at 2 p.m. you hear leaf blowers in the background."

"I get it, that can be annoying when you're on a Zoom call," he continued. "The council decided to put it to a vote. That's the best part about democracy. You're going to put it out to all the people and let them decide."

"I'm there already," said Meringolo, owner of a battery-powered lawnmower, chainsaw and blower. "I think it's a great idea. I can understand the argument for landscapers. I have a lot of batteries. They cost a lot of money and they don't last. The way the industry is going, I think it will happen organically. I don't necessarily think we have to force the issue."

Meringolo noted that a similar ban, passed in Montclair, is being challenged in court.

"That's a really good test case for us to watch," he said.

Candidates promise transparency

Meringolo said his campaign goal is to "deliver a new voice to the town council."

"One that brings greater transparency encourages a greater fiscal discipline to protect your tax dollars, an increased attention on parks and roads and focus on quality-of-life issues such as traffic and pedestrian safety," he said.

Russo also stressed transparency and access to his constituents, promising to share his personal email and cell phone number with all Ward 4 residents. He plans to win with the same direct approach he said carried him to victory in the primary.

"I knocked on every door in this ward three to four times and had one simple goal in mind: to do very little speaking and a lot of listening," he said. "I'll be doing it now all through the general election."

Council shakeup coming

The Ward 4 winner in the general election on Nov. 7 will become one of three new members on the seven-person council. In Ward 1, independent incumbent Robert Iannacone is running unopposed. In Ward 2, where Democratic incumbent Tawanna Cotton chose not to run for another term, Tina Lindsey ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and has no opposition in the general election.

Ward 3 Democratic incumbent Stefan Armington also chose not to run again. His likely replacement will be Democrat Steve Pylypchuk, who won a close primary race against Robert "R.J." Pylypchuk is unopposed in the general election.

The council also includes three-at-large members whose terms end next year.

Important dates for the 2023 election

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Voter registration for this year's election ended on Oct. 17. The early voting period runs from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is October 31.

William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com 

Twitter: @wwesthoven

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Hospital expansion, leaf-blower ban dominate Morristown council debate