40-Year Parsippany Council Member Won't Seek Re-Election

PARSIPPANY, NJ — Michael dePierro decided 10 terms was enough. The officeholder will step down once his term ends at the end of the year, marking four decades on Parsippany's Township Council.

"It is now time to let go," dePierro said at Tuesday's council meeting. "I will not be running for re-election."

Although dePierro will remain on the council until his term ends, he stepped down Tuesday from the governing body's presidency. Loretta Gragnani became council president, while dePierro took her place as vice president.

dePierro first moved to Parsippany in 1965 for a job with Bell Telephone Laboratories. The Republican has held public office in Parsippany for nearly half a century, serving on the Parsippany Board of Education from 1975-81 and then on the council from 1982-97 and since 2000.

His 10th term will end Dec. 31.

During council announcements, dePierro pulled out a speech and said he struggled to keep 40 years of service to one page. He highlighted several accomplishments over the decades, particularly focusing on open space, historic preservation and Parsippany's quality of life.

"I like to feel that I’ve been a part of the collective wisdom that’s made Parsippany a great place to live and work," dePierro said. "I continue to be humbled by the friendships and support after so many years."

The end of dePierro's tenure means the five-member council will have at least one significant change in 2023. Three council positions — currently belonging to dePierro, Gragnani and Council Member Paul Carifi Jr. — are up for election this year.