By Sunayana Prabhu
TINTON FALLS – Council President Risa Clay has been selected to lead the borough as interim mayor, succeeding Mayor Vito Perillo, who passed away at age 100 after serving multiple terms.
Before entering local politics, Clay had a distinguished career in education, working as a high school principal. First elected to the borough council in November 2021, she was sworn in for her second term in January 2024 and selected as council president before ascending to the mayoral role. State Sen. Vin Gopal (D-11) and Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone administered her oath of office at the March 18 borough council meeting.
A 30-year resident of the borough, Clay was unanimously selected by the council to succeed Perillo.
She will take the helm for a nine-month term until the general election. Clay pledged to continue Perillo’s legacy while focusing on community development and fiscal responsibility, indicating that she will be running for mayor in the upcoming 2025 municipal election.
“There are a few areas that I intend to focus on in the next nine months,” Clay said, while thanking the council for choosing her for the role. “The first involves our stakeholders, residents, borough employees and elected officials. My focus will continue to be one of visibility, teamwork and mutual respect.”
Clay also said she intends to have office hours while “being accessible, transparent and present in the community.”
Clay serves as a liaison to the borough’s library and board of education. An activist who raises awareness about spasmodic dysphonia, a condition she was diagnosed with nearly two decades ago, Clay brings a unique perspective to municipal leadership, which is “really an inspiration to so many people, despite whatever challenges,” Gopal said, echoing several in the room congratulating Clay.
She ensured continued “fiscal responsibility” in the borough, which she said has allowed for growth and increased quality of life as the community continues to flourish.
Several upcoming projects are about to catapult the borough into the minds of out-of-towners, such as the expansion of the Long Branch-based Monmouth Medical Center on nearly 40 acres at Corregidor Road and Pearl Harbor Avenue, on the Tinton Falls section of the former Fort Monmouth.
Developer Inspired by Somerset Development (Inspired) recently announced plans to create another Bell Works metroburb off Hope Road in the Commvault building, also on former Fort Monmouth property. “Since the space was previously closed to the public, we look forward to collaborating with Commvault to reconfigure it, allowing residents of Tinton Falls and surrounding areas to enjoy the building’s extensive offerings, just like its tenants,” Ralph Zucker, president of Inspired, told The Two River Times in February when announcing the building purchase.
Tinton Falls is also in the process of adopting a state-formatted ordinance for a Film Ready NJ certification designed to prep municipalities for potential film industry partnerships.
“Together we can continue building a town that every resident is proud to call home and a destination others will want to visit,” Clay told assembled of ficials and residents.
Clay said her approach to governance will focus on strengthening stakeholder relationships, supporting volunteer networks, and continuing the borough’s successful recreation and parks programs.
The council also unanimously chose Lawrence Dobrin as council president and Michael J. Nesci as deputy council president, with Gopal and Sheriff Shaun Golden administering their oaths of office during the meeting.
The article originally appeared in the March 20 – March 26, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
