PARK RIDGE—Borough Council members voted, Jan. 16, to table a Republican-led resolution to terminate the employment of the borough’s administrator, but noted that contentious issue is likely to be raised at the council’s Jan. 24 meeting.
A four-member Republican council majority joined with two Democratic councilmen to unanimously table a resolution that called for the firing of five-plus-year borough administrator Julie Falkenstern following a rebuke from Mayor Keith Misciagna and a public outcry against it.
It was unclear why the four Republicans, who joined with the two council Democrats, tabled the resolution but Misciagna said he was not impressed with the way the two Republican councilmen, only weeks after being sworn in, decided to oust the borough administrator.
Falkenstern was appointed in November 2017 by Misciagna, with council consent. Prior to becoming administrator, she was planning and zoning board secretary.
Misciagna issued a two-page statement opposing the proposed personnel change, which he read at the meeting.
He told Pascack Press that the move appeared political, and was not based on any performance issues. Falkenstern has had nothing but positive reviews from borough employees, professionals, and residents over her tenure as administrator, he said.
It appeared the decision was presented as both a political and cost-saving move, several residents at the meeting told Pascack Press, though how much savings might result was not revealed at the meeting.
Misciagna said the new Republican council members should not drop Falkenstern, noting borough employees should not be “treated as political pawns.” He suggested that the new council members should see how the government operates for a period before making any “long-term” decisions about personnel.
He said it would be “irresponsible” for the Republican majority to replace Falkenstern, who is borough administrator, a qualified purchasing agent, and land use administrator, and has special knowledge of borough operations including affordable housing, and the water and electric utilities.
Falkenstern, reached Jan. 17, said she appreciated the support of the mayor and public at the Jan. 16 meeting. She said she was “disappointed in the process” that led to her possible termination, noting she was “not sure what will happen” at the Jan. 24 meeting.
Falkenstern also noted that Borough Clerk Magdalena “Maggie” Giandomenico received “a well-deserved raise” by a unanimous council vote on Jan. 16. Giandomenico’s annual salary was raised to $110,000 annually effective Jan. 16.
Fenwick’s perspective
Council president William Fenwick told Pascack Press that because of legal requirements under a Rice Notice, which notifies employees that their employment will be discussed in closed session, he was “restricted from providing details” on the subject.
However, Falkenstern told Pascack Press that she wanted any discussion of her employment to occur in public, not closed session.
Fenwick said Republicans campaigned on taking a “hard look” at the local budget and to ensure no tax increases. He said they recently learned the borough clerk had received a competing job offer for another town for “substantially more money” than the borough could match.
“It therefore became clear to us that the only way we would be able to match the offer would be to offer our clerk the part-time borough administrator position. At the Jan. 16 meeting, the mayor stated that our clerk was the best in the state, and we agree. We did not want to lose her years of experience and professionalism that our residents greatly value,” Fenwick said in an email.
Fenwick said the mayor was informed in advance about the council majority’s proposed resolution to terminate Falkenstern, despite the mayor’s contrary claims. He said the meeting was held Jan. 16 “as that was the only day” that the borough attorney, mayor and council could be present.
Misciagna said Falkenstern has provided invaluable assistance with affordable housing issues and help in securing millions in federal and state grants.
About a half-dozen speakers at the special meeting — held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a national holiday — opposed the resolution to terminate Falkenstern, said one resident at the meeting. No residents spoke in support.
Misciagna also pointed out the meeting was not broadcast on community television or online, preventing residents from watching and going against the pledge of new Republican councilors Bruce Goldsmith and Greg Hoffman to increase council transparency.
Most council meetings are held on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. However, the Republican majority said the mayor was not available at an earlier meeting and so the meeting was then scheduled for Jan. 16.
Pascack Press reached out to the other Republican council members (including John M. Cozzi, and newly elected Bruce Goldsmith and Gregory Hoffman) for comment but did not hear back by press time.
Moreover, we reached out to council Democrats John Ferguson and Matthew Capilli for comment but did not hear back.
Resident Patrick Hunt told Pascack Press that when questioned, Fenwick could not cite a specific cost saving to Park Ridge for replacing Falkenstern.
Fenwick told us on this point, “We offered the part-time administrator position to our clerk to be able to compete with the other town’s offer, we are not eliminating it. I unfortunately can’t say more at this time since I haven’t cleared it with our labor attorney and there are Rice issues involved, but in the coming weeks everything will be readily apparent to everyone.”
Misciagna said that it would be costly to bring another administrator up to speed.
Asked about the possibility that a council majority could vote Jan. 24 to replace Falkenstern, Misciagna said though that could occur, “I’m going to make sure everyone in town knows what’s going on because this isn’t right.”
Misciagna said the “rushed move” to replace Falkenstern “is not in the best interest of residents” and noted any savings “will be inconsequential and the impact on our services great.”
In addition to tabling Falkenstern’s resolution, the council voted to table a resolution reimbursing Falkenstern $10,000 for her year as a qualified purchasing agent; and tabled a resolution appointing Giandomenico as borough qualified purchasing agent.