In what has been one of the worst-kept secrets of the new freeholder board, Neil Carroll – formerly freeholder pro tempore in 1999 – has been appointed chief-of-staff to the Hudson County Board of Freeholders. The position will pay Carroll the same $31,000 per year that he was earning as a freeholder before deciding not to run again last year. Carroll actually had been serving in the position since January, but no one made an announcement until this week. Carroll has experience, having served in the same post to four congressmen in his 40-plus years in politics. This is considered an unclassified appointment with the official title of Confidential Secretary – though Carroll prefers the title chief of staff. “Neil Carroll has tremendous expertise in this area,” said Freeholder Chairman Sal Vega, who made the appointment in late January, “and no one is better suited to serve in this role, especially having had a background as a freeholder.” Freeholder Vice-Chairman Albert J. Cifelli and Freeholder Pro Tempore William Braker both praised the appointment. Carroll, a resident of Bayonne, also previously had served as a special assistant to Gov. Jim Florio and as the executive director of the Governor’s Council of Physical Fitness and Sports. He has been involved in numerous community efforts and was named Man of the Year in 1989 by the Bayonne Sicilian Club, then Man of the Year by an Irish club in Bayonne in 1990. He was inducted in the Bayonne High School Hall of Fame for Community service in 1997.
Former freeholder Neil Carroll named chief of staff
