Pronti, Del Russo, DeCicco take no responsibility for the Library Board or the $200,000 out-of-court settlement even though they approved it!

Pronti, Del Russo, DeCicco take no responsibility for the Library Board or the $200,000 out-of-court settlement even though they approved it!

NORTH ARLINGTON – Despite the fact Mayor Dan Pronti and the Borough Council appoint and approve the members of the Library Board, in fact every member nominated by Pronti and received the approval of the Borough Council, they somehow continue to remove themselves from an out-of-court settlement of $200,000, which was approved by the governing body!

For here is the settlement resolution approved by the Mayor & Council.

At Thursday’s council meeting, the governing body equated the Library Board similar to the Board of Education, which is elected by the voters, just like the Mayor & Council.

And the Library Board’s budget comes from the North Arlington Municipal Budget.

In fact, the Library Board has nothing in common structurally with the Board of Education.

Every member of the Library Board are mayoral appointments approved by the full council.

Here are the current members of the board, all approved by Pronti and the Borough Council as indicated by the borough’s website:

Pronti is responsible for the appointment of every current member with the advice and consent of the Borough Council.

Irene Colao, a former library employee filed her complaint in 2023 against the Borough of North Arlington only to settle earlier this year for $200,000. https://www.nj.com/bergen/2025/10/nj-library-worker-who-claimed-coworkers-were-racist-settles-lawsuit-for-200k.html?fbclid=IwdGRjcANVd4tjbGNrA1V3iGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeYgBGBSIG5cH0kQ2JzPazFpmb7QNQsIN8kMxZpeGAQEUyPmfMLAfUu6Y83wA_aem_KRqjUyV5UlV5sfk10eP1_A

How can Pronti claim ignorance?

He knows exactly what was alleged and refuses to comment.

This is his board of trustees!

Why won’t he comment on the initial complaint or the out-of-court settlement?

Attached here is the Borough’s “answer” to the complaint made by Colao. CivilCaseJacket (1)

The defendant is the North Arlington Library referred to as a New Jersey business entity located at 210 Ridge Road.

A demand to preserve evidence was requested as well as a jury trial before the settlement was agreed upon by the parties.

Pronti just approved a $200,000 settlement along with Kirk Del Russo and Amanda DeCicco with the plaintiff, Irene Colao.

Why won’t any of them comment on the allegations that included racist rhetoric as well as a hostile work environment at this facility as alleged in the complaint?