Mineola Clerk Joseph Scalero will be the North Hempstead deputy town supervisor, Supervisor-elect Jennifer DeSena said.
DeSena told Blank Slate Media that the 16-year clerk from New York state’s largest village has an impressive resume for the post.
“He has a lot of experience with smart growth, development and an administration background,” DeSena said.
DeSena said she and Scalero will meet with town departments to gauge their operations and assess any improvements that can be made. Specifically, the two will observe the Building Department, which DeSena ran on fixing, and inquiring about its objectives and measurements to track progress, among other things.
DeSena, who was elected on the Republican line in November, said she believes Scalero’s work in Mineola will serve him and the town well in the new role.
“From what he’s done in the village, I think he’ll be very good at assessing our needs,” DeSena said.
In addition to his responsibilities in the village, Scalero is president of the New York State Association of Village and City Clerks, which tries to educate officials and increase their level of professionalism.
Scalero will take the post previously held by Janine Dillon, who filled in after Aline Kathadourian resigned in 2019.
For the time being, Linda Pardo, deputy village clerk of Mineola, will assume Scalero’s responsibilities. Any permanent replacement appointed by the mayor would serve until the end of Scalero’s term in April and will be subject to reappointment annually.
DeSena said she believes she will appoint Scalero as deputy town supervisor on Monday, one day after DeSena is sworn into office.
Regarding the rest of the town supervisor’s office, DeSena said that more information should be coming out in the next week or two. DeSena said that she is working with a smaller budget compared with past administrations to fill out the rest of her staff.
“It’s been a challenge to find the help that we need,” she added.
A previous version of this story was published. It has since been updated
