David Morel, who most recently helped pick Jamie Cryan as the new West New York municipal administrator, is the top choice to replace Joan Palermo on the local board of education, according to multiple sources.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Morel, a good friend of Commissioner Cosmo Cirillo – a former BOE president – served on the town’s rent control board with Cirillo’s wife, Vanessa, along with five other members, in 2015.
He is currently employed in a supervisory role at the North Bergen Motor Vehicle Commission, located at 8901 Park Plaza.
Only Hudson County View reported last month that Trustee Joan Palermo resigned, citing “personal and professional commitments” and the vacant seat on the board has still not been filled.
Whoever replaces her on the board will be jumping into the lion’s den, given that the West New York Education Association has been calling for a new contract for weeks, playing a pivotal role in the board voting down a $136 million budget last week.
No one at the board of education would comment on Palermo’s replacement, but multiple sources, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said Morel was the top candidate for the appointment.
Morel did not immediately return a call seeking comment on Monday.