North Wales Borough Council President Sal Amato resigns

A familiar face has stepped down after nearly a decade on borough council.

Council members voted unanimously on Tuesday night to accept the resignation of council President Sal Amato, saying he’ll leave the town with big shoes to fill.

“I’m sad — but I’m happy for you. We have all learned so much from you,” said Councilwoman Wendy McClure.

Amato first ran for council in 2013 and fell short that year, then was elected to four-year terms in 2015, 2019 and ’23, taking over in the center seat as council president at the start of 2022. During his leadership stint, Amato oversaw a reorganization of the council’s committees, added a ‘Parking lot’ of topics and ideas meant for long-term discussion, developed a series of guidance documents codifying and streamlining the policies and procedures for council members and staff, and emceed the grand opening of the town’s arts and cultural center in June.

In a letter to his council colleagues, Amato said his resignation, effective Aug. 27, was due to a move out of town, and said it was an “honor and a great pleasure” to work on behalf of the town for the past decade. After a council vote earlier the same night to fill a vacant seat, Amato encouraged the two candidates not chosen to stay involved, and said he followed a similar path.

“I ran in 2013, and I lost. I then spent two years coming to council meetings until the next time I could run. I spent two years coming to learn about what the process was like. It’s a difficult position to walk into,” he said.

“You have no idea how meetings are run. You have no idea what the pecking orders are. You have no idea about why things happen. I really strongly recommend, if you want to be on council, come to meetings, and learn,” Amato said.

What lessons does he have for the public? 

“I do want to remind you that councilmembers are your neighbors, and for whatever reason, they decided to serve. I just ask you to lighten up, and don’t be too harsh on them. They’re doing the best they can. It’s not like we’re making a lot of money up here. There’s not a lot of fame and fortune in being a councilmember,” he said.

If a four-year term on council is too much of a time commitment, consider applying for a volunteer board or helping out at a town event instead.

“There are things you can do, and activities we have, that we can be involved in. That helps everybody in the community,” he said.

And for his now-former colleagues?

“We should all try to leave the borough a little better than when we were elected. That should be our goal: just little steps forward. If we all do that, the council gets better, and the borough will get better,” he said.

Council members should also remember to support the borough’s manager and staff, and police department, and not be afraid to ask questions when necessary.

“Do some research. Look at the agendas. Understand the topics. Come in with intelligent questions. The key is: be informed, and stay informed,” he said.

After the comments, council Vice President Mark Tarlecki led the rest of the group in presenting a plaque to Amato commemorating his decade of service. Each then took turns detailing what they’ve learned from the leader during his tenure, starting with Councilwoman Sarah Whelan, who recalled a few friendly disagreements, but with the same goal in mind.

“Sometimes we would bonk heads a bit, but at the end of the day, we always came to the table, and we always saw the vision, and understood we’re all here for the same purpose, for the community. Regardless of differences of opinions or experience, we were able to see eye to eye on that, and it’s really sad to see you go,” she said.

New Councilwoman Candace Anderson, appointed just minutes before, said she was “sad I didn’t get to know you more, it sounds like you had a great impact on the town,” and Councilman Alex Groce added thanks for “all the wisdom, all the lessons, everything. You’ve been such an important leader in my life.”

Councilwoman Sally Neiderhiser recalled their first campaign together in 2013, and thanked Amato for backing a headphone-based hearing loop system she uses to take part in council meetings: “That was really something that I wanted to say, about how much that meant to me. Thank you.” Councilwoman Anji Fazio added thanks for Amato’s patience after she was first appointed to council in 2022.

“I really appreciate everything you taught me. I came in, and I was like a baby, I had 50 million questions: ‘Why? Why? Why?’ But you taught me. You took the time. I always felt heard. You didn’t have to spend the time with me that you did, and I really appreciate that. You’ve challenged us, and you’ve made us better,” she said.

And Tarlecki, who has held that center seat for stints as president himself, described Amato with two words: “Sal has probably been the most dedicated and most committed council president I’ve seen and worked with in my entire tenure here.”

“He has been the face of North Wales at many events, and he has worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Not many council presidents have always had the wherewithal to do what Sal has done — he really is one of the best we’ve had since I’ve been on council, and it’s been a long time.”

Former Mayor Greg D’Angelo added that he’s known Amato since moving to the town in 2005, and recalled working together on a drug addiction and education program, and other outreach efforts meant to get residents involved.

“He didn’t want to be the star; he was happy being the stage manager. Some people they want to be the star and get all of the applause. But not Sal. I’ve seen all kinds of councilmembers, all kinds of council presidents. I have to say, without offending anybody else, he is the best I’ve come across,” D’Angelo said. “At the local level, (political) party shouldn’t matter. He always has supported what’s best for the community, rather than what’s best for a party.”

Police Chief Dave Erenuis kept his comments brief: “I just want to thank you for all of your support,” he said, drawing laughs from the crowd as Amato asked, “Anything else?” and the chief replied, “Nope — did you expect anything else?” with a grin.

And Borough Manager Christine Hart thanked him for his honesty, in public and private.

“You were very good in being candid, and reminding everybody what lane is what, and when to stay in it. I appreciated the honesty, and I appreciate the fact that I could always be honest with you. It’s not always roses every day in North Wales Borough, but we’ve worked very hard and very professionally together to make the best outcome, always,” she said.

Staff will likely follow a similar procedure to fill Amato’s seat as they did with the most recent vacancy, the manager added, with a call for interested residents from the town’s Ward 3 to submit applications and letters of interest, followed by public interviews and votes from council on a new appointment within the next 30 days to fill the seat for the rest of 2025, with the seat likely on the town’s ballot this November to fill the rest of the term.

North Wales borough council next meets at 7 p.m. on Sept. 9 and 23, both at the borough municipal building, 300 School Street. For more information, visit www.NorthWalesBorough.org.

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