The Bayonne City Council named Assistant Municipal Attorney Joe Skillender as the new director of the Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development Department at Wednesday’s special meeting.
“Economic development and growth have been the major goals of our city administration since it began in 2014,” Mayor Jimmy Davis began in a statement.
“The new Department of Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development will continue these policies and help us build a great future for Bayonne. I look forward to working with Joe Skillender as Bayonne moves forward to a brighter tomorrow.”
Skillender was hired on August 2nd, 2022 at a salary of $86,504, according to public records, and will earn $125,000 in his new role, officials said.
Prior to working in the Peninsula City, Skillender served as of counsel at the Newark-based firm Souder, Shabazz & Woolridge Law Group LLP where he focused planing and zoning approvals, along with other real estate matters.
He was also the assistant campaign manager to Neil Carroll in the 2019 special election in the 1st Ward (which he won) and worked on the successful Davis campaign last year.
“I would like to thank Mayor Davis and the City Council for entrusting me with this opportunity to help our city grow and prosper for years to come. We will work hard to bring new businesses, high-paying jobs, and quality housing to our hometown,” Skillender added.
“I enjoy representing the City of Bayonne in these meetings, because they result in the development of properties that produce jobs and income for our community.”
Coincidentally, Skillender served as legal counsel to the city council on Wednesday, the last day at his old gig, in the absence of Law Director Jay Coffey.