After former councilman’s unexpected resignation, Saddle River fills vacant seat – NorthJersey.com

Three of five proposed sites for Saddle River's affordable housing. All five sites will have a total of 247 units, with 100 at fair market rate and 147 as affordable housing. Drone footage shot on Monday, Feb. 17, 2020. NorthJersey

SADDLE RIVER Christopher DiGirolamo was appointed to the borough's council last week, succeeding Paul Schulstad.

DiGirolamo, an eight-year boroughresident, will serve out the nine months remaining in Schulstad's second term.He was appointed at a special meeting Friday and sworn in Monday, according to Business Administrator Jerry Giaimis.

DiGirolamo was born in Paterson and raised in Woodcliff Lake, the son of former school board member and council presidentDiana DiGirolamo.

Christopher DiGirolamo has been appointed a Saddle River councilman succeeding Paul Schulstad.(Photo: Photo courtesy of Christopher DiGirolamo)

He graduated from Pascack Hills High School, received his undergraduate degree from Fordham University and his law degree from New York Law School.

He is managing partner in the personal injury law firm ofMaggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi, PC in Fort Lee, where he has practiced the past 28 years.

DiGirolamo has served on the borough planning board as well as other committees and subcommittees.

He is a Rutgers-certified youth coach who has coached youth soccer, baseball and football, winning abaseball league championship and a football Super Bowl championship.

He and his wife, Alisa, are the parents of son Zachary and daughter Natalie.

RESIGNS: Saddle River councilman unexpectedly resigns effective immediately

CONFLICTS: Council conflicts could threaten group's effort to stop Saddle River horse farm

Schulstad resigned unexpectedly March 2 in the last year of his second three-year term,giving no reason for his departure.

Schulstad and former council president EricJensen were the primary targets of a complaint filed by owners of Patriot Farm after residents filed a formal appeal in June seeking to have the zoning board's May approval of its commercial horse-boarding facility overturned.

The owners charged that Schulstad and Jensennegotiated the removal of Mayor Albert Kurpis' appointment powers last January so they could overseenaming four new members to the zoning board who would be less favorable to the farm's application, scheduled to begin hearings later in that month.The owners argued Schulstad and Jensen should not be able to vote on the appeal.

Kurpis had testified in favor of the application at a December 2018 hearing.Schulstad testified against it.

The application passed withone no vote from one of the four appointees, Jame Kerner.

Schulstad and Jensen were eventually declared ineligible to vote on the appeal, effectively leaving the zoning board's approval in place.Jensen remains on council, but was succeeded in January by new Council President Rosario Ruffino.

Marsha Stoltzis a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community,please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email:stoltz@northjersey.com Twitter:@marsha_stoltz

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After former councilman's unexpected resignation, Saddle River fills vacant seat - NorthJersey.com

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