Essex County confirms nominees to Opioid Settlement Advisory Council and other advisory boards

The Essex County Board of County Commissioners confirmed appointments and reappointments to multiple advisory boards, including the Essex Opioid Settlement Advisory Council, during a single roll-call vote covering resolutions 1–20.

County staff introduced nominees and attendees who described their backgrounds. Richard Budress, deputy director of the Essex Regional Health Commission, noted his role as facilitator for an opioid fatality review team and monthly interdisciplinary reviews of overdose fatalities. Joel Torres of Indian Community Health Services and Michael Padilla, a 24‑year police officer and commander in Nutley, likewise described public‑health and enforcement experience relevant to opioid policy and treatment planning. Naima Briscoe, senior development director at Integrity House, summarized the organization’s addiction-treatment work.

Commissioners praised the candidates and the administration for recruiting experienced volunteers and staff. The board approved the slate by roll call, with Commissioner Luciano noted as absent.

The appointments are intended to populate advisory bodies that will help guide spending and programming of opioid-settlement and substance-use funds at the county level. Several nominees emphasized experience with fatality review teams, prevention and community outreach in Newark and other municipalities.

Next steps: appointees will be formally sworn when the county reads the resolutions into the record and staff will schedule advisory-council meetings as required.