John Von Aken elected chair as Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board completes reorganization

Parsippany-Troy Hills

At a Feb. 9 reorganization meeting, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board elected John Von Aken, a Class IV member, to serve as chair and completed routine annual appointments and committee assignments.

The meeting, called to order at 7:30 p.m., opened with the statutory notice under the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (NJSA 10:4-6). Board members then administered the oath of office to returning and newly seated members including Jennifer Smith (Class II), John Von Aken (Class IV), Tom Dinsmore (alternate No. 2) and Nur Patel (Class IV).

During nominations for chair, a member moved to nominate John Von Aken and another member nominated Nur (variant spellings in the record: Niral/Narov) Patel. Nominations were closed and the board conducted a roll-call vote that recorded all present members in favor of Von Aken.

Board members next nominated Nur Patel to serve as vice chair although Patel was not present. Members discussed whether an absent appointee could be appointed at reorganization; the board noted that an appointed member must be sworn in before they can officially serve in the role. The record shows Patel was appointed but must take the oath before performing vice-chair duties.

The board confirmed its secretary by motion and voice vote. Members also named Patel as chair of the minor site plan and subdivision committee and took volunteer sign-ups for committee membership, including Jennifer Smith, Tom Dinsmore, Nur Patel and Dominic Mey.

The board approved its professional advisors for the coming year: Ron Ryerson as planner (CME), an engineer listed as Lara Nus (CME) and an attorney listed as Joe Wenszel of Friends and Wensel. The appointments were moved, seconded and approved by the membership.

No members of the public spoke during the public-comment period. Members noted that the board will consider a substantial housing element item at its next regular meeting.

The reorganization meeting then adjourned.

Actions recorded in the meeting include the election of a chair by roll call, the appointment of a vice chair (subject to swearing-in), confirmation of the board secretary, committee assignments, and approval of the board's professionals for 2026.