DOES NORTH ARLINGTON HAVE A “ZERO TOLERANCE” POSITION ON RACISM IN LIEU OF THE SETTLED CIVIL ACTION, IRENE COLAO V. NA PUBLIC LIBRARY
NORTH ARLINGTON – During the entire 2025 campaign for borough council neither Mayor Dan Pronti, Councilwoman Amanda DeCicco or Councilwoman Kirk Del Russo issued a public statement or comment regarding the 2023 civil complaint filed by former library employee Irene Colao, who was awarded $200,000 in an out-of-court settlement based on that same complaint earlier this year.
Since DeCicco or Del Russo never uttered a single word during the campaign, Pronti was constantly speaking on behalf of his hand-picked candidates online but carefully avoided any statement or comment on this out-of-court settlement that was supported by both DeCicco and Del Russo for a staggering $200,000!
Calls for comment by local Democrats John Balwierczak and Jime Sever were avoided, probably due to the crude and racist allegations in the complaint filed in Monmouth County by the former library employee.
Here is a copy of the full complaint for your examination, and we ask every North Arlington resident to review it here. Colao Complaint
While the case was settled beyond any public scrutiny, the allegations warrant transparency as to the actions of the Borough, and why they settled for $200,000, and the actions of certain employees and members of the Library Board!
This initial filing is a public document, as well as the $200,000 award to Colao, and here is the resolution that authorized the payment here: 
The defendant was the North Arington Public Library as the employer, and Colao charged that “an ongoing campaign of harassment, discrimination, and hostile work environment on a near daily basis” existed!
The plaintiff’s son married a female of Indian descent, and was mocked by the employer that her “grandchildren will have shaved heads and worship a monkey God.”
There were twenty-four stated examples that were considered “degrading, demeaning, and discriminatory,” which forced Colao to resign in September of 2022!
One of the more hostile and disturbing allegations were racial comments “about the patrons who would come into the library, including referring to the African-American patrons by the N-word…” in the complaint!
While the complaint has been settled, what corrective actions were taken by Pronti or the Borough Council?
Is North Arlington a human ATM machine?
And where is the Kearny Observer?
Was this not newsworthy of coverage?
Why didn’t they cover this case once over the two-year period between the filing and the settlement?
Has the Kearny Observer ever reported a story that wasn’t some “puff piece” spoon fed by Pronti himself?
And has Pronti even discussed this matter with the Library Board or their director before or since the settlement?
And why did North Arlington settle out of court for so much money?
And will this Library Board be reappointed by the Borough Council and why didn’t Councilwoman Amanda DeCicco in her position as liaison to this board offer any guidance, input or public statement?
Was this $200,000 settlement just fine with this neophyte, who is clearly in over her head as an elected representative of the people?
But the toothpaste is sadly out-of-the-tube and DeCicco will unfortunately represent the community for three years beginning in January.
This entire episode is a black eye for North Arlington and refusing to comment or acknowledge the $200,000 settlement tells you that this governing body successfully swept this entire action under the carpet without a word!
While nothing can be done after the fact, what is being done by this Mayor to prevent this embarrassing situation from ever occurring again?
These were his appointees; every board member and the board itself have been silent on the entire ugly episode!
No comment of any kind.
The Borough Council must believe that a $200,000 payment to a former employee is no big deal!
Just business as usual?
Local Democrats made a valiant effort to bring the issue to the table, and it was stone walled, and the fact the incumbents squeezed out a victory suggests no one cares.
No big deal.
North Arlington, read this complaint.
Are you okay with a $200,000 payout of your tax dollars with zero input or explanation?
Call (201) 991-6060 and ask the “why” questions.
North Arlington is so much better than this.