Berkeley Board President Takes Leave From Township Job To Work For MacArthur

by Patricia A. Miller

Township Recreation Department employee Noriko Kowalewski, the president of the Berkeley Board of Education, has taken a leave of absence from her municipal job to work on multimillionaire Tom MacArthur's Congressional campaign, sources say.

Kowalewski - who was hired after Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. took office - is also an official in the Berkeley Township Republican Organization and was the treasurer for the "Amato Team" candidates in the 2013 municipal and school board elections.

Kowalewski's phone number is unlisted. She could not be reached for comment.

Her job as a clerk typist in the Recreation Department is being held open for her for the next seven months, with no replacement during the duration of the leave, sources say.

Just who granted Kowalewski the leave is unclear.

Amato and Township Administrator Christopher Reid did not return repeated e-mails for comment. Recreation Superintendent Timothy Yurcisin did not return a phone call Thursday and left the office early on Friday. Township Attorney Lauren R. Staiger said she wasn't sure if a leave had to be approved by the Township Council in a personnel resolution. Township Clerk Beverly Carle referred questions to Reid.

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