The majority of the West New York Board Commissioners voted to pump the brakes on giving Silvio Acosta, who runs the Department of Public Works, a four-year extension that would’ve come with a $137,000 a year salary.Â
According to the resolution, Mayor Felix Roque and DPW Commissioner Sue Colacurcio “improperly executed a contract with Silvio Acosta” re-appointing him through December 1st, 2018 and November 30th, 2022 for an annual salary of $137,000.
The resolution also states that Acosta, who has served in the position since 2013, has not obtained the proper qualifications set forth by New Jersey law.
The measure, which passed 3-0(2) – Roque and Colacurcio abstained – not only rescinds Acosta’s new contract, but also instructs Corporation Counsel Michael Jimenez to forward the matter to the state Department of Community affairs to see if Acosta is qualified to remain in his current position.
Acosta, a former deputy mayor and board of education trustee (both volunteer positions), stepped down as deputy mayor in July 2014 after the state Civil Service Commission ruled in November 2013 that he could not work in both Roque’s office and the DPW.
Back in September 2015, the West New York Board of Commissioners approved a resolution authorizing a search committee to find Acosta’s successor, but that committee never ended up coming to fruition.
Speaking in generalities, as opposed to the specifics of Acosta’s case, DCA spokeswoman Tammori Petty said that an acting capacity does not necessarily expire after a finite amount of time.
“A candidate can serve in an acting capacity for a number of years before coming due for a certification,” she told HCV in an email.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with a comment from DCA spokeswoman Tammori Petty.Â