Sayers steps up to finish Moore’s term 

Ashley Sayers, backed by her husband, Everett, and their son and daughter, and Emerson mayor Danielle DiPaola (at right), is the newest member of the Borough Council, sworn Aug. 13, 2024. Courtesy photo
Ashley Sayers, backed by her husband, Everett, and their son and daughter, and Emerson mayor Danielle DiPaola (at right), is the newest member of the Borough Council, sworn Aug. 13, 2024. Courtesy photo

EMERSON—The Borough Council has unanimously named Pine Drive resident Ashley Sayers to fill the unexpired term of Councilwoman Kelly Moore at the Aug. 13 council meeting. Sayers was sworn in at the meeting to cheers.

Moore resigned her seat on July 16 due to a recent move to another Bergen County town. Her unexpired term continues through Dec. 31.

Moore served on the council for two years, seven months. The local Republican Committee nominated three candidates to replace her at the Aug. 13 meeting. Sayers won a 5-0 council vote and accepted her new post with evident enthusiasm and gratitude.

Sayers brings to the Emerson Borough Council a robust background in human resources. She has served as the director of human resources at HomeWell Care Services of New Jersey since August 2017, overseeing HR operations for the company’s Hackensack office. Prior to her current role, she worked as an assistant store manager at Under Armour in Woodbury Common, Central Valley, N.Y.

Sayers holds a degree from the State University of New York College at Oneonta.

With her husband, Everett, holding the Bible, and their son and daughter on hand, Sayers took the oath of office with Mayor Danielle DiPaola officiating. And then: “Congratulations, Councilwoman,” DiPaola said, giving her new colleague a hug. 

In brief remarks, Sayers said  “Thank you for appointing me as a member of Emerson’s governing body. I look forward to this opportunity to serve the Emerson community. Thank you.”

Sayers’ council entry on the borough website notes that she is the liaison for the Auxiliary Police, Office of Emergency Management, ambulance corps, Library Board of Trustees, and Recreation Commission. She is also the co-liaison for Personnel and Human Resources, and Technology and Social Media.

DiPaola, also a Republican, confirmed to Pascack Press that Sayers will be a Republican council candidate in the Nov. 5 election for one of two open seats. Incumbent Republican Brian Gordon, whose term expires Dec. 31, has decided not to seek reelection.

DiPaola told us on Aug. 27 that Megan Ciolino, a nurse, of Palisade Avenue, is running to fill that open seat.

The two Republican candidates will face Democratic challengers Richard Dinallo, retired from a county finance department, and Kate Stutzel, a healthcare administrator.