EATONTOWN – Eatontown Police Chief William P. Lucia is serving as the interim borough administrator after Cherron Rountree resigned from the position to accept a new job in a nearby municipality.
During a Borough Council meeting on Nov. 7, Rountree, whose resignation took effect Nov. 12, said it was determined at a subsequent meeting that Lucia will temporarily take on her administrative role.
That evening, Rountree asked the governing body how they would like to proceed in securing her permanent replacement. Rountree said she received questions from council members about who her successor may be.
Rountree asked the council if her position would be advertised or if an outside firm would be hired to recruit a new borough administrator.
“I think we should go out and advertise (the position) as soon as possible to see who is out there,” Council President Al Baginsky said. “We went the other route before and received a good administrator but not for the long term route we needed (in Eatontown). There is no sense spending money to hire a search firm right now.”
Cherron, who was hired in March, was recruited by Government Strategy Group, a municipal consulting firm, to serve as the Township Administrator in Holmdel.
Baginsky said officials could advertise the position with the League of Municipalities. He said the governing body “may get lucky” and find a suitable administrator.
“I would support not hiring a firm,” Mayor Anthony Talerico said, adding that the town “needs some stability.”
Talerico said he is not keen on hiring a permanent administrator right away. He said in the meantime, Lucia could help “right the ship” and resolve issues certain departments may experience during the transition.
Talerico said swearing in a new administrator on Jan. 1, during the town’s annual reorganization meeting, may not be feasible. He noted that five newcomers will join the governing body that day.
In January, Republicans Kevin Gonzalez, Maria Grazia Escalante, Joseph Olsavsky, Mark Regan Jr. and Edwin Palenzuela will join the council. The five newcomers will join the council following a Republican sweep in the Nov. 5 election.
At present, the members of the all-Democratic governing body are Councilwoman Jasmine Story, Councilwoman Tanya Rivera, Councilwoman Christine Caruso, Councilman Greg Loxton and Baginsky. Story will remain on the council during 2020.
Caruso, Loxton and Rivera were appointed to the council earlier this year to fill vacancies. Their terms will end in December, as will the term held by Baginsky, who was defeated on Election Day. Rivera was also defeated in the election.
“The borough administrator is the most important position in the borough,” Caruso said. “It’s extremely important for that person not to have a political leaning. I think hiring a search firm vets out the candidates in a way that (shows) they are looking at a (candidate’s) qualifications and not necessarily their political affiliation.”
Story agreed Lucia will help appease the transition process.
“I would hate for everyone to pick a date and say Jan. 1. let’s get (the new administrator in,” Talerico said. “On Jan. 1, we are getting (part) of a new council. (The new members) won’t even know what an administrator is and yet they are going to be searching for one.”
Story and Caruso agreed the council should hire a search firm to recruit a permanent administrator. Baginsky said the position should be advertised. Loxton and Rivera were absent.
After discussion, Rountree was directed to create a request for proposal (RFP) to hire a search firm.
In her letter of resignation, Rountree said, “This was not an easy decision to make, however after careful consideration I have accepted a position elsewhere … In my brief tenure, I cannot express how impressed I am with the residents and their passion and devotion to the community.
“It was an absolute honor to have had the opportunity to work with many of them. I must also comment on the borough employees. They truly are second to none. Their talent, dedication and perseverance are to be commended and I thank each and every one of them for all that they do.
“Eatontown is undoubtedly a better place due to these fine individuals. I truly believe that Eatontown’s future is bright with endless opportunities. I look forward to watching it grow and prosper,” Rountree said.
