Hoboken Health and Human Services Director Leo Pellegrini has resigned today after approximately 14 years of service, city spokeswoman Marilyn Baer confirmed.
Baer did not immediately respond to questions as to why Pellegrini resigned, while Pellegrini declined to comment when reached on his cell phone this afternoon.
According to Baer, the city will conduct a search for a new Health and Human Services director in the coming weeks.
In the interim, Health Officer Nancy Tarantino will serve as the head of the Division of Health, Supervisor of Senior Citizen Activities Tom Foley will serve as the head of Senior Services, and Cultural Affairs Administrator Geri Fallo will serve as the head of the Division of Cultural Affairs.
Former Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, who hired Pellegrini, thanked him “for his tireless service” and credited him for spearheaded several initiatives during her administration.
“I want to thank Leo Pellegrini, director of Health & Human Services, for his tireless service to the City of Hoboken. His unwavering commitment ensured the upgrade of nearly every Hoboken park, the completion of Hoboken’s 9/11 Memorial, and most importantly helped ensure Hoboken residents remained safe through Super Storm Sandy,” she said this evening.
“While the full list of his accomplishments is too long to list, he is an extraordinary public servant and his numerous contributions benefited nearly every Hoboken resident. I wish him the very best in the next chapter of his life.”
The city council has a closed session agenda item before them this evening to discuss a personnel matter.
Their public session convenes at 7 p.m. this evening at 94 Washington St. and will also stream on the Hoboken Facebook and YouTube pages.
Editor’s note: This story was updated with a comment from former Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer.