Elmwood Park council swears in two members, names Pellegreen council president and approves yearlong professional appointments

Elmwood Park’s mayor and council met Jan. 2 for their 2025 reorganization meeting, swearing in two council members, naming Lorraine Pellegreen council president for the year and approving a slate of professional appointments and administrative resolutions.

The meeting opened with borough clerk Shanay Myers certifying the Nov. 5, 2024 election results and Mayor Robert Colletti administering oaths of office to Theresa Sheridan and Eric Sampson. “Thank you to all the residents that came out to vote,” Councilwoman Theresa Sheridan said after being sworn in. Sampson, sworn in the same evening, was welcomed by colleagues and family; councilors and the mayor also noted it was Sampson’s birthday.

The council selected Lorraine Pellegreen as council president by resolution R-01-25. Pellegreen was then sworn in by the mayor.

Why it matters: The reorganization meeting establishes the body’s leadership and the professional contracts and board appointments the borough will rely on throughout the year. The votes also set spending limits for several contracts and identify officials who will represent the borough on boards such as the planning board.

Most of the meeting was taken up by the mayor’s nominations and council confirmations of municipal professionals and board members. Among confirmations by resolution: borough attorney (R-03-25), bond counsel (R-04-25), borough auditor (R-05-25), borough prosecutor…