Clifton’s City Council appointed Chris D’Amato on Tuesday to fill temporarily fill the seat of the late three-term Councilwoman Lauren Murphy, who died on Jan. 13 after losing her battle against pancreatic cancer.
It was up to the council decide whether to abide by past practices and appoint the person who in the last general election finished as the first runner-up, or it could have opted to not fill the seat.
In Clifton’s case, D’Amato finished eighth, making him first runner-up. Clifton every four years elects all seven council seats.
Because Clifton is a non-partisan council, the city council has 30 days after a seat is vacated to appoint a temporary member.
The current mayor Ray Grabowski was elected in the November 2015 special election, after his brother, Matt Grabowski, died while in office. After Matt Grabowski’s death, the council chose 2014 eighth-place finisher Joseph Cupoli to fill the seat until an election could be held. Ray Grabowski was elected in that election.
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In a memo from the city attorney, Matt Priori, he said the City Council has few options when it comes to filling a vacancy: appoint a successor or leave the seat vacant until the next general election. In recent years, the city council of Passaic opted not to fill the seat vacated of Salim Patel until a new councilperson is elected.
Those familiar with the current Clifton council know that often the council struggles to get the majority to pass key provisions such banking the unused spending cap and other essential items. Too often the council has been deadlocked 3 to 3.
On Tuesday, the council unanimously voted to maintain past practices and appoint D’Amato. He was sworn at the council meeting.
D’Amato’ campaigned promising residents to increase communications between the city and its residents.
If D’Amato hopes to complete Murphy’s term which expires at end of 2026, he will have to run for the unexpired term and get elected in November’s election.
