ELMWOOD PARK – The Borough Council voted Thursday to hire Erin Delaney as acting borough clerk after a months-long search to replace Keith Kazmark, who resigned as clerk and administrator in August.

Delaney, a Garfield councilwoman, was appointed for a one-year period at an annual salary of $70,000 and will work to complete coursework and an examination to become a registered municipal clerk – a license she does not currently have. State statute allows acting clerks up to three years to meet requirements.

Council President Daniel Golabek said Thursday that after Kazmark’s resignation, the borough advertised for a dual clerk and administrator, but received a dearth of applications. The roles will now be separated, and the council will begin looking for a new administrator this month.

The hiring was not without conflict. Republican council members Maggie Giandomenico and Robert Burke said they advocated for the internal promotion of Barbara Dispoto, the deputy clerk who has assumed all responsibilities of the clerk since Kazmark’s departure. The council voted in September to pay her a weekly stipend of $500 for the extra duties.

“Barbara is a certified municipal clerk, has the experience, the institutional knowledge of the borough and its operations and has stepped in and done a phenomenal job making sure the borough operations continue undisturbed after Keith Kazmark’s departure,” Giandomenico said.

The councilwoman asked why the Democratic majority on the council chose someone who has never worked in municipal government and does not have a clerk’s certification for the job when Dispoto and most of the other seven candidates interviewed do.

Dispoto said Friday that while she was disappointed by the council's decision to move forward in a different direction rather than promote from within, she wishes Delaney the best of luck in her new position.

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Giandomenico referred to rumors that a deal had been struck by Mayor Frank Caramagna and the position was promised to a Democratic councilwoman from Garfield. Caramagna refuted the rumor.

Golabek said while he felt the personnel discussion was inappropriate to have in open session, he voted to approve Delaney on her merits – a strong academic background, firsthand experience of the work a governing body and town does, and strong interpersonal skills. He also noted that Garfield’s form of government is non-partisan.

Delaney has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in public administration. She currently works as coalition supervisor for Partners in Prevention, a Hudson County nonprofit working to prevent substance abuse. She has also worked for the Bergen County Office of Alcohol and Drug Dependency and The Center for Alcohol and Drug Resources.

She described herself Friday as a "people person" with strong interpersonal skills, organized, action-oriented and above all, extremely hardworking.

Public service is in her blood, she said – she sits on the Garfield Council along with her father, who is deputy mayor – and she said serving the community is a passion. She said prior to learning about the position in Elmwood Park, she was looking into becoming a certified clerk.

“There are factors other than a certification that contribute to a person being a perfect fit for a position,” she said. “I’m eager to learn and dedicated to Elmwood Park.”

Email: nolan@northjersey.com