HOBOKEN -- It was a busy Monday in Hoboken politics, when announcements included Councilman David Mello's joining the council slate of mayoral candidate Anthony Romano, whose rival for mayor Councilman Michael DeFusco announced his plans to build a new high school on the city's north end.

David Mello

"I think Anthony Romano in 2017 is the mayor that the city of Hoboken and the people of Hobeken really need," Mello said in video the two released on Monday announcing they were teaming up. "He has a wonderful proven record of dealing with outside parties, and there are so many outside parties that are at the forefront of Hoboken and its citizenry today."

Mello listed the city's water utility, Suez, as well as a NJ Transit, and the governments of Hudson County and the State of New Jersey among the outside parties the city is in the midst of or certain to be dealing with under the successor to Mayor Dawn Zimmer, who will step down in January

"Whether you're born and raised, or whether your new to this town like my family, you love this town and want to stay here and you want to keep contributing to it," Mellos said

Standing alongside Mello on the video, Romano said, "Today is an exciting day for me."

Romano, a lifetime resident who represents Hoboken and Jersey City Heights on the Hudson County Board of Freeholders, is among half a dozen candidates seeking to succeed Zimmer, who announced in June that she would not seek a third 4-year term. Instead, Zimmer said she will seek a role combating climate change beyond the flood-prone Mile-Square City.

Mello's at-large council seat is one of three that are up for grabs in the Nov. 8 race, and the candidates for mayor -- who include three of Mello's City Council colleagues -- have been lining up their slates to run with.

DeFusco, the First Ward councilman, is running for mayor with a council slate that includes Andrew Impastato, a tech entrepreneur and basketball coach, and Michael Flett, a father of three who works as a commodities broker.

On Monday DeFusco announced a plan to build a new, energy efficient public high school complex at the city's north end, for which he proposes partnering with Stevens Institute of Technology.

"Every child in Hoboken deserves a top-notch public education," DeFusco said in a Statement Monday. "And as mayor I will make it one of my first priorities to immediately begin planning for a new, state-of-the-art high school complex in the north."

DeFuco released a video of his own to showcase his high school plan, which can be viewed at www.mikedefusco.com/education

At-large Councilman Ravi Bhalla is forgoing a bid for a third term in that seat in order to run for mayor with Zimmer's endorsement. Balla has a full slate of running mates in Councilman-at Large Jim Doyle, plus two newcomers to Hoboken electoral politics, Emily Ball Jabbour and John Allen.

Mello, a Jersey City public school teacher, is the second member of Romano's slate, joining Laini Vogel Hammond, a 30-something pharmaceutical sales representative, who has not run for office before.

Council President Jennifer Giattino is also running, with a council slate comprised of Jim Aibel, Jason Ellis and Sal Starace. On Monday Giattino announced an Aug. 23 event to introduce her slate and talk about the issues at the Pilsener Haus on Grand Street. For full info, visit her campaign website.

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.