EMERSON—Incumbent Republicans Nicole Argenzia and O’Neil Ellis, who bested Democratic challengers on Nov. 4, 2025 were sworn to new three-year terms by Republican Mayor Danielle DiPaola at the council’s Jan. 6 reorganization meeting.
In addition, Councilwoman Ashely Rice was unanimously voted in as 2026 council president, succeeding Michael Timmerman.
Argenzia, a nurse manager at Hackensack Meridian Health, begins her third term, while Ellis, a volunteer firefighter and youth coach, begins his first full council term. Ellis was appointed in September to fill former councilwoman Jill McGuire’s unexpired term after she moved out of the area.
Argenzia said she was “truly honored and deeply grateful” to residents for giving her a third term and said she will “listen, lead with integrity, and always put the needs of the community first.”
Ellis thanked the voters for their support, as well as his family and wife for allowing him to volunteer “many nights” as a volunteer firefighter and now the council. He said as a councilor he would do what’s in the town’s and taxpayers’ best interests.
In her mayor’s address, DiPaola noted dozens of local benefits and 2026 opportunities. She welcomed the returning council members, and thanked local employees and volunteers, including police, and volunteer auxiliary police, firefighters, and ambulance first responders.
She noted upcoming recreational programs, a summer concert series, community gardens, diverse library programs for all ages, and a planned 2026 beekeeping program. She urged residents over age 55 to consider joining the “vibrant senior group” that meets in the local senior center on Palisades Avenue.
She cited new sanitary sewer pump stations in operation, a shared street-sweeping service with Washington Township, and new pickleball courts open at Emerson Junior-Senior HIgh School. She said the borough was addressing longstanding drainage issues in one section of town and also planning a deer drone study soon as part of an NJDEP grant.
Addressing the incomplete status of Emerson’s long-delayed Citizen Emerson Station downtown mixed-use residential-retail complex, she said the borough was eager to see it finished “with or without the developer.” She said residents can always call her with local concerns, and urged residents to attend council meetings or watch them “live” or via archived videos on YouTube. She said borough website upgrades were planned in 2026.
The 40-minute reorganization session included awarding 18 professional services contracts and 2026 council appointments for standing committees and board/commission/committee liaisons.
Among the professional services contracts approved through Dec. 31 were Borough Attorney John McCann; Special Affordable Housing Counsel Brian Giblin; Labor Counsel Catherine Elston; Engineer Michael Neglia; Auditor Gary Higgins; Planner Caroline Reiter; Tax Appeal expert witness Robert McNerney; and grantwriter Bruno Associates.
Also, introduction of 2026 Emergency Services Officers included auxiliary police, school crossing guards, volunteer fire department and volunteer ambulance corps.
These included:
- Auxiliary police officers Capt. Daniel Clayton, Sgt. David Kogut, and Lt. Alan Bernstein;
- School crossing guards Joseph Cannone, William Levine, Sheri Jaeger, Maria Acosta-Carpenter, Kevin Mulvenna, Kevin Felici, Leo Conwell, Amy Levine, Dennis Flynn, Alan Bernstein, and John Leara;
- Volunteer Ambulance Corps members: President Janine Davis, Vice President Kristen Malakas, Treasurer Maureen Howlin, Secretary George Howlin, and Captain Mike Davis; and
- Emerson Volunteer Fire Department officers (not listed)
Also, mayor’s appointments to the Land Use Board, Recreation Commission, Environmental Commission, and Shade Tree Commission were approved.
The council also approved 57 resolutions under the Consent Agenda.
Among the resolutions was Res. 44-26, which noted “Indemnify (Mayor) Danielle DiPaola for any and all actions and allegations which arise out of Complaint filed by Emerson Redevelopers Urban Renewal, LLC.”
Officials said this indemnification was necessary due to a recent ERUR lawsuit served on the council and DiPaola on Nov. 17. See “‘No longer economically viable’ — New suit says borough blocked progress on Block 419 project,” by Michael Olohan, Nov. 24, 2025, thepressgroup.net).
Resolution 57-26 read simply, “Authorize mediation agreement with Fair Share Housing.” with no details provided. DiPaola told us that Fair Share was the only objector to its Fourth Round Housing Element and Fair Share Plan. She said details would be released soon. We requested a copy of the agreement.