STAFFORD – The Township held its reorganization meeting on January 10, appointing new officials and renewing contracts.
The most significant change was that the Township Council appointed Linda Martin as acting clerk. Martin is currently the town’s registrar of vital statistics. She will receive a $12,000 stipend as part of her acting clerk role, Business Administrator James Moran said. She will be only working as an “acting” capacity while she finishes up some other duties. Then, she is expected to be hired as the clerk.
They also accepted the resignation of clerk Kim Hodgson. Moran would not discuss Hodgson’s departure, except that it was by mutual agreement.
The council appointed Alan Smith as president of the council for the year. He was sworn in by Sen. Christopher Connors (R-9th), who is also the town’s attorney.
The township also cancelled the taxes and fines if someone owes less than $10. The reasoning behind this is that it costs money to try to collect this money, through postage and other costs. It might cost the town more money to collect this money than the amount owed, Moran said.
The following professional appointments were made:
Municipal attorney Christopher Connors, Conflict attorney Kevin Riordan; Labor counsel Kevin Riordan and Armando Riccio; Conflict labor counsel Dasti, Murphy, McGuckin, Ulaky, Koutsouris and Connors; Special counsel for affordable housing matters Hill Wallack; Municipal prosecutor Citta, Holzapfel, and Zabarsky; Conflict municipal prosecutor Bonnie Peterson; Public defenders firm of Brian Rumpf; Conflict public defender Pepe and Wintrode; Bond counsel Megan Bennett Clark with the firm of Gluckwalrath, LLP.
- The firm of CME Associates was appointed for Township engineer; Developer inspection; Township planner; and Tax map maintenance.
- Other appointments: Traffic Consultants T & M Associates; Special projects engineers Remington & Vernick and T & M Associates; Environmental commission engineer T & M Associates; Energy consultants T & M Associates; Landscape architect Taylor Design Group; Consulting architect and construction administrative services Sibona Group; Auditor Holman, Frenia & Allison; Township physicians Urgent Care Now – Manahawkin.
Water and Sewer Utility Department attorney Christopher Connors; Water and sewer engineers CME Associates; Water and sewer special projects T & M Associates and Water quality testing J.R. Henderson Labs, Inc.
There were also shared services contracts renewed with the following entities: Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Township, and Beach Haven for animal control; Barnegat for public works equipment; Eagleswood for construction inspection; and Little Egg Harbor for brine services.
Moran said there are no new positions in these appointments. There is no additional pay associated with Moran’s new titles. The township has to assign an administrator these duties, and by law, has to name someone. The township required several different veterinarians for the police dogs. The police need to have someone on call on weekends and nights, and it is good to have options.
