PETERSBURG – Twice in two meetings the Upper Township Committee agenda has had a resolution naming the township business administrator to a different position in township government, and twice the resolution never went to a vote.
On Monday, June 24, a resolution titled “Hiring Gary S. DeMarzo as a Keyboarding Clerk 1 and authorizing the execution of an agreement” was tabled at the request of Mayor Jay Newman. Deputy Mayor Kim Hayes was not present at the meeting.
On Monday, July 8, a slightly differently worded resolution was scheduled for closed session, after which the mayor announced there would be no action taken on the resolution. The July 8 resolution read, “Title change for Gary S. DeMarzo to Keyboarding Clerk 1 and authorizing the execution of an agreement.” This time, Committeeman Victor Nappen was absent.
There was no comment on either resolution from members of the Township Committee.
During the public comment period of the July 8 meeting a resident asked who was responsible for creating the agenda and for putting forth the job title change for DeMarzo. The committee did not comment, but DeMarzo said that the entire five-member committee was responsible for the agenda.
On July 8, the committee went into closed session, with DeMarzo joining them, but he at some point left the meeting. He did not comment on the discussion held in closed session or on the resolution. A phone call placed to the mayor on Tuesday, July 9, was not immediately returned.
DeMarzo, 56, was appointed the township business administrator in April 2022. According to the township’s salary ordinance, which can be found online, the business administrator’s salary is $75,000. The salary for a keyboarding clerk is between $12,000 and $60,000. The clerical position is a civil service job, but the administrator position is not.
DeMarzo replaced Scott Morgan on a temporary basis when he was hired as township administrator. Curtis Corson was mayor at the time.
The Cape May County Republican organization did not back Newman and Hayes for reelection in the June 4 primary, but instead selected cousins Zachary and Samuel Palombo for the Republican organization slots on the ballot.
The Palombos won the election; Newman and Hayes could not be reached for comment on whether they would run in November despite their primary defeat.
Zachary Palombo is the son of former Upper Township Mayor Richard Palombo, and Samuel Palombo is his nephew.
DeMarzo was previously a Wildwood police officer who was elected to the Wildwood Board of Commissioners in 2007. He became the city’s mayor in 2009.
According to The Press of Atlantic City, DeMarzo is an entrepreneur and an airport operations specialist. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers University’s School of Public Management.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
