INCREASED LEGAL FEES AND OUT-OF-COURT SETTLEMENTS THE “NEW NORM” IN NORTH ARLINGTON!
$353,190.57 IN LEGAL FEES FROM BOROUGH ATTORNEY SINCE 1/1/24, $200,000 SETTLEMENT WITH FORMER LIBRARY EMPLOYEE!
WHY?
WHAT HAPPPEND?
$553,190.57 APPROVED BY DEL RUSSO & DECICCO!
NORTH ARLINGTON – An all-Republican Borough Council must believe the North Arlington taxpayer is A bottomless pit of dollars as legal fees and out-of-court settlements are the new norm as recently revealed in an OPRA request by North Arlington Democrats as well as a resolution approved and endorsed by incumbents Kirk Del Russo and his newly minted colleague and running-mate, Amanda DeCicco.
Democrats John Balwierczak and Cengiz “Jim” Sever are shocked by the level of obscene spending on legal fees as well as this $200,000 settlement with a former library employee.
“The question is simple, why is North Arlington settling litigation for $200,000? What are the facts of this case and why are taxpayers being kept in the dark? If there was ever a reason we need responsible two-party government, here it is,” offered Balwierczak, making a second attempt for a seat on the borough council. 
“No explanation. Who exposed taxpayers to this six-figure settlement? As usual the Pronti puppets have nothing to say except to blindly vote yes on this kind of horrendous government spending,” offered the lifelong North Arlington resident.
Cengiz “Jim” Sever was particularly concerned about the level of legal fees in a community of this size.
“Has the position of Borough Attorney become a full-time endeavor? How many hours are being billed? A monthly retainer should encompass most of the legal work for North Arlington. How many hours a week are being billed? How many hours per month? Attending the meetings, drafting and authoring ordinances and handling other routine matters is becoming quite expensive for taxpayers regardless of your political allegiance or persuasion,” observed Sever, a homeowner, husband and father. 
“Is there a clear understanding of fees and services by this governing body? Does any member of this borough council review these expenditures before voting yes? Is a second pair of eyes reviewing these billings? Does the Borough Administrator or the Chief Financial Officer offer any guidance on these payments of such services? When you approve $6 million dollars in a single evening as they did last week, is anyone really watching the store? Is nothing truly examined by these part-time elected officials such as Del Russo and DeCicco,” questioned the two Democrats.
“Controlling legal costs and out-of-court settlements need to be examined very carefully. It is the job of council members like Del Russo and DeCicco to ask questions and monitor costs. Are they doing their job of protecting taxpayers and keeping costs to a minimum?. We truly doubt it,” offered Balwierczak.
The two Democrats walked again Monday evening along Noel Drive where they were warmly greeted and picked up several lawn sign locations.
“People are responding to our message. They basically feel information is not shared with the public and these legal costs and out-of-court settlements tell me we need to breakup this monopoly of all Republicans all of the time. Their policies of massive overdevelopment have backfired; random tax reassessments are being rejected and a sense we need a real change is self-evident. Del Russo and DeCicco are blind followers to Pronti and are proud to be his puppets. Our campaign is resonating with independents who have had enough, especially longtime residents and seniors getting killed with higher property taxes,” said both Balwierczak and Sever.
To meet the candidates, contact them at (201) 655-8497.
They will be happy to stop by and say hello.