The Solid Waste Authority (SWA) board unanimously voted to appoint an internal candidate to serve as the authority's next executive director after an on‑the‑record discussion and brief presentation.

Staff told the board they received one internal application. The candidate — whose name appears in the record with several spellings (transcribed variably as "Ramona Carey," "Romani/Romana Carey" and similar variants) — outlined his/her experience: 32 years in solid waste, professional engineering credentials, prior consulting work for the authority and about 25 years working on SWA projects. The candidate said they most recently served as managing director with responsibility for engineering, environmental compliance, education and outreach, finance, customer service, purchasing, equal opportunity and IT functions.

Commissioners from multiple districts praised the candidate's experience, noted the candidate's role in the authority’s waste‑to‑energy work and said the candidate would provide continuity as the authority confronts near‑term projects including a replacement refuse‑to‑energy facility and a forthcoming hauling contract. Commissioner Weiss said he had confidence in the candidate and highlighted broad employee support conveyed informally by frontline staff.

Mayor Marino moved to hire the internal candidate and the board voted 6‑0 to approve the appointment. Commissioners asked staff and counsel to bring back a proposed employment contract; staff indicated they expect to return contract language at a future meeting (they discussed targets for a December 10 agenda date). Outgoing executive director (transcribed variably as Mr. Pilowitz/Palowitz/Pelowitz) thanked staff and the board and expressed confidence in the appointee.

The board’s action was framed as an internal hire to preserve continuity; the personnel action will be memorialized by a contract returned to the board for approval.