By: Chris Munzing
"The City of Long Beach is grateful to Noreen for taking on the responsibilities of tax assessor," Theofan said. "Her analytical, organizational and leadership abilities in combination with her extensive legal background and knowledge of the community present a unique skill set that will prove to be invaluable to the people of Long Beach."
Costello will remain a deputy corporation counsel and receive no salary for her new position, which may be a sign that the new administration doesn't feel the job is necessary.
"This is an example of streamlining government, and making things more efficient," City Council President Jim Hennessy said. "It's consolidation. We're doing more with less."
Hennessy added that the city would not be increasing Costello's salary of $83,000. Hennessy, who has advocated eliminating the position of tax assessor in the past, said that appointing someone from within City Hall is more cost-effective.
The city also announced that assistant corporation counsel Corey Klein has been named acting corporation counsel, filling the vacancy created when Theofan was promoted to city manager. Klein sat in as corporation counsel at Tuesday night's City Council meeting. Theofan said that a search for his replacement has begun.
Klein is also acting counsel to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Costello, an assistant corporation counsel since 1998, was recently named deputy acting corporation counsel. She functioned as the city court prosecutor of building, housing and zoning code violations, Freedom of Information Law officer, ADA liaison responsible for all federal claims, and as real estate attorney for the sale and purchase of city property. Her expertise also encompasses the administration of properties with the Long Island Housing Partnership and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to create affordable housing opportunities for first-time home buyers.
Prior to 1998, Costello served as a private attorney in the field of home equity finance. From 1979 until 1982, she was assistant corporation counsel and counsel to the Zoning Board of Appeals. During that time she litigated the city's cases and administered its laws and policies. She was also responsible for mediation and conflict resolution among the city, its businesses and residents.
Costello replaces Mary Cammarato, who was terminated by the city last summer amid charges that she allegedly suppressed the assessment of certain buildings in the city, which she denied. She is currently suing the city for wrongful termination and would not comment on her case or Costello's appointment.
Costello earned her law degree from St. John's University School of Law. She is also a graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service in Washington, D.C., where she graduated with a triple major in history, government and economics.
Costello will continue to serve in her capacity as deputy acting corporation counsel.
"Noreen Costello is an exceedingly competent attorney, and she is a very capable individual," Councilman Lenny Remo said. "But I don't know how much time away from the corporation counsel's office she'll have to spend to learn tax assessment."
Remo expressed concern that the corporation counsel's office is already understaffed, and that Costello's new position will only add to the problem. "When you have a department that is now understaffed by 25 percent, and now you're asking two of those attorneys to do other tasks," Remo said, "where is their focus going to be?"
Councilman Denis Kelly said that he didn't know what Costello's experience as a tax assessor was, but had faith in her abilities. "I'm sure she'll pick it up quickly, if she hasn't already," Kelly said. "But wherever Noreen goes, positive things happen. I have the utmost faith in her."
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