Departments of Purchasing, Finance Merge

CREST HAVEN – Freeholders approved the merger of two county departments Oct. 23 under one department head. The action resulted in the creation of the Department of Finance and Purchasing under former Purchasing Agent Kevin Lare. 
By separate salary resolution, Lare was named acting director of Finance and Purchasing at an annual salary of $120,000 effective Oct. 23.
As a result of that move, Allison Hansen was appointed acting purchasing agent at an annual salary of $78,000; and Brittany Smith was transferred from Human Services to replace former chief financial officer Francine Springer at an annual salary of $95,000. Springer had resigned earlier in the year.
The resolution creating the new department noted “day-to-day administration and functions of these two departments being closely connected (the board) deems it necessary for this merger and will be under the direction of one department head…”
It continued that the departments’ restructuring “creates a more efficient county government and therefore it is now appropriate to reframe the name of the departments…”
The freeholder in charge of the new department is Director Gerald Thornton. By resolution, the director will be the freeholder who is assigned as Director of Administration, Emergency Management, and Revenue and Finance.
The resolution creating the merger had originally been posted for consideration on an early Oct. 9 agenda. It was removed from the final agenda of that meeting.
In other action the board:
* Reconfirmed its intention to lease the former Kmart in Rio Mall, 1127 Route 47, Rio Grande. It is to be used for county offices and a veterans’ clinic in concert with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
* Accepted a $16,200 grant for the Culture and Heritage Division from the N.J. Department of State Historical Commission “for the purpose of re-granting funds to local history organizations for general operations and project expenses.”
* Awarded $17,400 to the Ambient Group LLC for mold remediation and treatment at the county airport’s Building 13.
* Executed a lease agreement between the county and American Aerospace Advisors Inc for the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle. The resolution allows the entity to conduct flight operations under the county’s Certificate of Authorization for aeronautical research “and further the ability of the emergency management community to operate in communications-deprived areas following storms, and natural disasters.”
* Modified no-passing zones on Dias Creek Road (CR 612) to include westbound at Pine Ridge Road for about 800 feet, and westbound beyond the bike path crosswalk. County Engineer Robert Church said the action was taken in anticipation of the repaving of the road in the near future. The action was taken on the recommendation of I.H. Engineers, which the county hired to conduct an engineering study of the road.
* Granted permission to Lower Township Department of Parks and Recreation to close a portion of Bayshore Road (CR 603) for a Nov. 10 Veterans Day parade. The closure will be from Millman Senior Community Center to Lower Township Municipal Hall from about 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
* Granted permission to Dennis Township to close a part of Fidler Road (CR 638) and Petersburg Road (CR 610) Dec. 6 for the Christmas parade. The closure will be from 6 to 8 p.m.
* Awarded open-end contract to Correct RX Pharmacy Services Inc. to supply pharmaceutical services to the county Correctional Center for two years starting Nov. 16, 2018, with three one-year options for extension.
Lare told the board there were four proposals with one disqualified. The contract ranges from $80,000 to $100,000 depending upon inmate population and their needs.