03-16-2011 - citing financial savings, englewood cliffs council overturns mayor's veto
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8/7/2019 03-16-2011 - Citing Financial Savings, Englewood Cliffs Council Overturns Mayor's Veto
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Citing financial savings,
Englewood Cliffs council
overturns mayor's veto
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
BY AMANDA BASKIND Northern Valley Suburbanite Staff Writer
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS - The Republican
Council majority voted to override the
mayor's veto and abolish the position of
deputy clerk on March 15 to save the
borough money.
In a party-line vote on Feb. 16, the council
voted to get rid of the position.
However, instead of finalizing the vote by
signing the resolution, Mayor Joseph C.
Parisi, Jr. used his vetoed power.
"I vetoed it because I felt in our town, it's
impossible to have one person do the job of
clerk and deputy clerk," said Parisi on March
16. "My concern is if you're eliminating the job, that means that function of the job is no
longer required." Parisi said the function of
the job is still important.
In order to override a veto, at least two thirds
of council members must vote against the
veto.
Parisi said he knew he did not have the votes
to keep the deputy clerk position.
"I know it's only symbolic but it gives the
council another opportunity to discuss the
merits," said Parisi about the resolution
eliminating the position.
Council President Robert Agresta, a
Republican, said once he saw Borough
Administrator/Clerk Susan McGinley-Spohn w
as able to handle the position, he did not
see a need for a deputy clerk.
"We were looking for a cost savings there,"
Agresta said on March 16, adding that many
other towns do not have a deputy clerk.
"I'm all in favor of saving money and beingefficient," said Parisi, "But this is like telling t
he police they will have cars but not tires."
According to Parisi, since the position of
deputy clerk is abolished, no one else can
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8/7/2019 03-16-2011 - Citing Financial Savings, Englewood Cliffs Council Overturns Mayor's Veto
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perform those duties except the borough
administrator/clerk.
Parisi said by abolishing the deputy clerk
position, the borough will be giving upservice to the residents.
Agresta said having the position is "fiscally
irresponsible," adding that certain jobs the
deputy clerk performs can be done by
anyone in Borough Hall.
"I think to add another salary on at 30, 40,
$50,000 for the couple weeks a year Susan
might not be there to fill those roles is kind
of crazy," Agresta said.
According to Parisi, right now there is an
administrative assistant performing the
borough's daily clerical functions. This
person is considered a "floater" and also
works for the shade tree commission and
helps out in the Finance Department.
E-mail: [email protected] or call
201-894-6723
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