The Asbury Park Housing Authority has entered into a new agreement for professional legal services.
At a special meeting held Tuesday, the Board of Commissioners appointed Florio, Perrucci, Steinhardt and Fader as their new attorneys.
It took the board two attempts and two closed executive sessions before a vote passed. The initial vote was 3-0 with two abstentions. Commissioners Frank Syphax, John Moor — who is the city council’s appointed member — and Anthony Perillo voted yes. Chairperson Angeline Brown and Commissioner Charlotte Wise abstained.
Although a majority voted in favor, federal law requires four affirmative votes for any measure to pass, according to Moor.
After a second “lengthy” closed executive session, the motion was reintroduced, Moor said.
The second vote passed 4-0 with one abstention. Commissioner Wise changed her earlier abstention to yes.
The authority’s new firm will replace Kevin Wigenton of Kevin P. Wigenton Law Offices, Red Bank.
Florio, Perrucci, Steinhardt and Fader will serve the board for a one year term, from Oct. 1, 2013, through Sept. 30, 2014.
Lester Taylor of the firm will serve as the authority’s general counsel. He will be paid $140 per hour and any paralegals will be paid $90 per hour, with all fees not to exceed $70,000.
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