Locicero Resigns from Council

Tom Locicero resigned from the Borough Council Tuesday, after the state Department of Community Affairs ruled that his work presents a conflict of interest with his position on the council.

The question of a conflict arose as soon as Locicero's name came up as a replacement for former Councilman Alan Brundage.

Locicero's company, All Points Towing, is one of four licensed towers in Paramus. That work is mostly paid for by the owners of the towed vehicles or their insurers.

When Locicero in December, Borough Attorney Brian Giblin advised Locicero not to tow Borough vehicles, which is the only time the Borough pays towing companies directly. Aside from that provision, Giblin said the Department of Community Affairs assured him over the phone that there was no conflict.

Nonetheless, after taking his seat on the Council, Locicero asked the state Department of Community Affairs for a written opinion. He expected an answer in a few weeks.

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Five months later, the state finally returned its opinion: that towing for the Borough and serving on the Council is a conflict under the Local Government Ethics Law. After receiving that determination Thursday, Locicero announced his resignation Tuesday.

The opinion said there were two reasons for the conflict. First, although the Borough doesn't pay his company directly, Locicero still benefits from his company's contract with the Borough.

Second, as a member of the Council, Locicero oversees the . The Police Department is responsible for approving Borough towers, though Locicero said the department only makes sure that towers meet the requirements of the Borough towing ordinance.

Locicero has been a licensed tower in Paramus for 21 years. 

"Even though I don't agree with it, I respect their decision and unfortunately, I'm told there is no appeal process," Locicero said.

The opinion presented Locicero with two choices: Resign from the Council or stop towing for Paramus.  Given the faltering economy, Locicero said he couldn't afford to lose the business.

Aside from Paramus, Locicero tows for 14 other towns. 

Locicero said he had his own family to think of, as well as the six families of his employees.

"I'm never going to get rich in this business," he said. "I'm going to earn a living and hopefully pay my expenses, and if I can keep a couple of other people employed and help their families, I'm all for it."

In his time on the Council, Locicero helped introduce an ordinance that would add a $1 surcharge to recreation fees to pay for annual background checks for volunteer coaches in the Recreation Department. The $5,000 in expected income from the surcharge should offset the cost of checking the roughly 200 coaches.

The Council still must give final approval to the ordinance.

Mayor Richard LaBarbiera commended Locicero for putting his family first.

"I trust that you'll remain very active in this community, and if you win the lottery, I'm sure that you'll be running again," he said.

Locicero said he regrets that he won't be able to help the Fire Department replace some of its aging equipment. The Fire Department is in the running for a $900,000 grant for a new tower ladder, one of three fire vehicles that need to be replaced.

The purchase of another fire engine is already in this year's budget, Locicero said.

"I was really hoping to find the funding for the other fire engine," he said.

Locicero said he also hoped to see upgrades made to the Senior Center and help newly hired Recreation Supervisor Robert Cowper acclimate to the Recreation Department. 

Locicero's replacement will be selected in the same way he was selected to replace Brundage. The Paramus Republican County Committee members will submit three names to the Mayor and Council. The Council will then vote for one of those three people to serve out the rest of Locicero's term, which lasts through the rest of the year.

Despite his resignation, Locicero plans to stay involved in Borough affairs.

"When an issue comes up that affects our residents, I'll be there," Locicero said. "I'll be there to ask questions and get the answers."

And he didn't rule out a return to politics.

"I think that down the road, whether it's in Paramus if we stay here for our retirement or go somewhere else or if I was ever to get out of my business, I would consider it," Locicero said. "I truly did enjoy it."

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