DENNISVILLE – A resolution to appoint a part-time township administrator was passed 3-2 at the Sept. 27 Dennis Township Committee meeting.
“I still want to hire for this position,” opened Mayor Zeth Matalucci. He alluded to the Aug. 22 meeting about the need for the position.
“We had two other applicants in addition to Tom Moran (introduced to committee Aug. 22 as the preferred candidate the mayor recommended).
“One candidate comes from Toms River. I had a one-hour interview with him. He’s very knowledgeable and well educated, but he’s more white-collar, and I want someone who will roll up his sleeves to get the job done,” said the mayor.
“The other candidate was also a great guy who served in similar positions in other townships. He’s politically affiliated though, and I feel he would have a political agenda and not put our township first, rather we would be second. I want somebody who is independent and not who has an issue with egos,” explained Matalucci.
Committee member Donald Tozer said, “I have real issues with hiring for this position. When I stand in line at the bank with my committee paycheck to cash with my neighbors also in line, I want to feel, and I want them to feel, that I earned this paycheck. We’re just passing the buck by hiring this position.
“You (Matalucci) were hired (elected) to bring the fresh eyes to the committee and the township that you say this position will provide.”
Matalucci replied, “I don’t believe we’re passing the buck by filling this position. It will be extremely beneficial for all of us. I run a business; you and others on the committee also have other jobs, so it’s difficult to supervise all the departments and employees.
“The new business administrator will point us in the right direction, and there hasn’t been a lot of thought about that in the township. In business, you have to spend money to make money. For example, our tax assessor went from a full-time position to part-time, and she upped the collections by a lot.
“This position will have no benefits or retirement. The salary and full position description are indicated in Chapter 35. It’s time we’re proactive,” the mayor added.
In response to a question from Committee member Lisa Salimbene, Matalucci replied that no candidates employed by the township had applied for the position.
Matalucci, members Julie Fry-DeRose and Mary Smith voted yes; Tozer and Salimbene voted no.
To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.
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