Discussion Over Parker Village Roads Becomes Shouting Match at Eatontown Council Meeting

A discussion over whether the borough should assume responsibility for roadways in the Parker Village age-restricted community became a shouting match between the mayor and a councilman at the Oct. 5 Eatontown council meeting.

Following a presentation by an attorney for and a discussion on the issue at the workshop meeting, Mayor Gerald Tarantolo and Councilman Kevin Gonzalez were at odds over how to move forward. Officials seemed to split down party lines on the issue, with Democrats supporting the takeover and Republicans opposed.

Gonzalez, a Republican, supported a straw poll at the workshop to determine support from council for moving forward with the issue at the Oct. 12 meeting. However, because Democratic Councilwoman Jennifer Pizza was absent from the meeting, a vote would result in a win for Republicans as the council is split three Democrats and three Republicans. The mayor, a Democrat, can vote in the event of a tie.

Tarantolo wanted to put a resolution on the agenda for its Oct. 12 regular meeting for the council to vote on approving Parker Village's request.

After a heated exchange, a tossed gavel and Gonzalez telling the mayor that "the procedure stinks," both sides agreed to hold off until the Nov. 9 workshop meeting and hopefully all members in attendance.

The borough already provides snow removal, garbage and recycling services to the 61-unit Parker Village, according to the homeowner association's attorney, Bruce Freeman. Residents would like to reverse an agreement made between the developer of the community and the Eatontown Planning Board during the approval process to maintain roadways within Parker Village privately. Freeman argued that the age-restricted community "doesn't ask for a lot of services" for the taxes paid into the borough.

Councilman Dennis Connelly said of his opposition to the request, "I have to make a decision for the whole community. I'm not going to make them take that burden."

"The issue here is equity," said Tarantolo. "(Parker Village) residents deserve the same amenities as the rest of our taxpayers."

Former council member Victoria Rau said during the public portion of the event that Piazza is "missing quite frequently" from meetings.

"That's a legitimate concern," responded the mayor.