EMERSON—The borough has hired a part-time administrator under a shared-service agreement with Pompton Lakes, approving a $79,000 contract that runs Feb. 1 through Dec. 31.
Michael E. Carelli, Pompton Lakes’ borough administrator, will serve Emerson 20–25 hours per week and act as the borough’s qualified purchasing agent, according to the agreement approved Jan. 20. Carelli attended the mayor and council’s Feb. 3 and Feb. 17 meetings and provided reports on local matters. Mayor Danielle DiPaola said Carelli has worked for several years in Pompton Lakes and in Oakland.
Carelli replaces Robert Hermansen, who left the borough in May 2025 after nearly six years as full-time administrator. In the interim, Emerson hired former administrator Richard Sheola in August 2025 through Strategic Municipal Advisors LLC to handle administrative matters. Borough officials confirmed at the time that Hermansen’s salary was $135,304.02 when he departed.
“This is a huge win for the borough. I think it’s going to work out famously for us,” DiPaola told Pascack Press on Feb. 18. “The borough is so pleased to have Michael Carelli on staff and we look forward to hearing his innovative approaches.”
Under the agreement, Carelli will oversee day-to-day operations and implement policies set by the mayor and council; supervise department heads and coordinate personnel administration; assist with municipal clerk functions as needed; and support budgeting, grants, and capital planning in coordination with the chief financial officer.
The agreement also assigns Carelli responsibility for procurement and contracts in compliance with the Local Public Contracts Law; coordination of capital improvement projects; liaison work with county, state, and other government entities; and support for public communications, emergency management, and continuity of operations.
Carelli will work two half-days per week onsite in Emerson, with remaining time performed remotely, the agreement states. It also specifies that Carelli’s duties for Pompton Lakes “shall take priority” over Emerson’s, and that he must attend borough council meetings, as well as committee meetings and other after-hours meetings and events as needed.
The agreement was unanimously approved by the council as Resolution 69-26. It is signed by Pompton Lakes Mayor Michael Serra and Borough Clerk Elizabeth Brandsness, and by DiPaola and Emerson Clerk Triessa DeSimone.
Carelli shared the news publicly on LinkedIn, where the announcement was met with congratulations and offers of help from municipal administrators and public sector professionals, including colleagues with prior experience in Emerson.