Michael Carelli: Continuing Long Family Tradition of Public Service and Volunteering

Michael Carelli has been Oakland's assistant to the administrator since only October, but he's already making a mark.

He is introducing new ways to help the community.

One of his main works-in-progress is an Oakland Borough calendar that will launch in 2020 and will be delivered to all residents and businesses in town.

Carelli, who is 25 and lives in Riverdale, says the calendar will be a one-stop resource where residents and local business owners can learn about meeting dates and times of such government entities as the council, and various boards, recycling and garbage pickup information, and town events.

It will also include information about the public library, police and fire departments, and the first aid squad.

“I am positive that the residents of Oakland will appreciate the publication and find it very informative,” he said.

Borough Administrator Richard Kunze said: “Michael’s background, positive attitude and work ethic have made him a real asset.  He has already offered ideas for programs that we are putting into place”.

Carelli has been involved in local government and community activities since he was a child, thanks to being the son of Riverdale Mayor Paul Carelli, and growing up in a home that stressed the value of public service. 

"I would say I developed my innovative skills from my parents and grandparents because they have always been involved in the community," Carelli said, recalling a childhood where family involvement in volunteer and recreational activities was the norm.   

“My mother is an active volunteer in the community, serving on the Board of Education, [she was] Recreation Director, and school volunteer," he said. "My grandmother was the food pantry director for 10-plus years and served as president of the senior club in town.” 

In Riverdale, Carelli has carried on his family’s legacy, making a difference through his volunteering, coordinating programs such as a 5K run, a concert series, and the food pantry.

One of the reasons he was drawn to Oakland is because of the reputation of dedicated volunteers in the borough.

Carelli, a graduate of William Paterson University, where he majored in business management, began his government career in early 2018, working as chief of staff for state Senator Anthony Bucco, who long has represented the 25th District, in Morris County.

“Many people think it is a political job,” Carelli noted about that position, “however, the job is all about helping other people. Whether it is taking phone calls from constituents, helping process notary applications, and passing bills that help out the district such as veterans support. 

Here in Oakland, as the assistant to the borough administrator, Carelli oversees quite a bit.

“My primary duties include but are not limited to managing current grants and applying for new grants, managing all social media pages, posting to the borough website, [the borough] administrator’s designee to the Sustainable Oakland Green Team and the Oakland Communications Commission, assisting the borough clerk with dog and cat licensing, implementing an employee wellness program, and complete other administrative duties as assigned.”

And as if that weren’t already an exhaustive list, Carelli added: “I also serve as the Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics in which I assist with issuing marriage licenses and death certificates.” 

Although he works hard and has a vast amount of responsibilities, Carelli aims to have a healthy balance of fun and time with loved ones on his personal time.

“My hobbies include hiking, playing basketball, and spending time with my girlfriend," he said, "I am an avid New York Giants fan and, if I am not working, you can find me watching some sort of sport!”

Natalie Aguado is a correspondent for the Oakland Borough Newsletter.