Alessi Appointed Interim Mayor of North Caldwell

North Caldwell Borough Council voted unanimously to appoint former Council President Joseph Alessi as interim mayor Tuesday night.

Alessi had been serving as the borough's temporary mayor since the seat was left vacant by former Mayor Mel Levine.

Levine stepped down as mayor when he was appointed borough administrator by the council after former administrator Joseph Kunz resigned in late August.

The North Caldwell Republican County Committee had 30 days to fill the vacant mayoral seat, according to David M. Paris, borough attorney.  

"The procedure is that if the position to be filled was of an elected official who was nominated by a political party, the county committee of that political party has 15 days after the date of the occurrence of the vacancy to present to the governing body three names of nominees of a selection of a successor to fill the vacancy," Paris explained.

The North Caldwell Republican County Committee convened and submitted three names to Susan Best, the borough's municipal clerk. The three nominees, all present members of the council, were Alessi, Cynthia Santomauro and Frank Astorino. 

Astorino was the first councilman to make a motion that Alessi fill the remainder of Levine's term, which expires on Dec. 31, and the council agreed unanimously. 

Paris then swore Alessi into office in the conference room within the municipal building.

Former Mayor Mel Levine provided Alessi with some encouraging words. 

"I think it's only appropriate that I wish you the best of luck," said Levine. "I know that you'll be devoted to North Caldwell and you are going to do a great job. God bless you."

Alessi in turn showed gratitude to his colleagues for appointing him interim mayor.

"I just want to say that we have the best team here. We have the best engineer, we have the best attorney, we have the best CFO, we have the best chief of police. We have great people here, our council is second to none," Alessi said.

Alessi, a Republican, will run uncontested for the mayoral office in the November elections.

With the mayoral seat filled, the North Caldwell Republican County Committee must undergo the same process to fill Alessi's vacant seat on the council. The committee will present the council with three names and a vote will be made at the next council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 28.

The person chosen will sit on the council until Dec. 31 to fill the remainder of Alessi's unexpired term.

 A vote for council president will be held once all council positions are full.