HOLMDEL–The Township Committee in Holmdel approved a resolution authorizing entry into a stipend agreement with Police Chief John Mioduszewski for his service as acting township administrator.
On May 6, former Township Administrator Donna Vieiro and Human Resources Manager Denise Callery were suspended with pay. On the same day, municipal officials hired attorney Sean Kean to investigate an allegation involving the two women, that Callery had interviewed a relative for a position in Holmdel and that Viero was aware of Callery’s participation in the interview process.
In a report to the committee on June 11, Kean reported that municipal officials and a municipal employee subsequently alleged that Viero had committed additional violations.
On July 9, Vieiro resigned from her position after a 3-2 vote by the committee,approved a resolution to enter into a mutual agreement and release Vieiro.
The committee, on the same day Vieiro was initially suspended, appointed Mioduszewski to the position of acting township administrator and set a salary at the base of $120,000 per year, according to the committee agenda.
Mioduszewski has performed his duties as chief of police in addition to the obligations of township administrator. Upon this interim appointment, Mioduszewski requested to forego the additional salary to serve as administrator, which was memorialized by resolution dated May 14, according to the committee agenda.
The committee approved the resolution to enter into a stipend agreement with Mioduszewski on Dec. 18.
Following the effective conclusion of Kean’s independent investigation, the parties agreed to have Mioduszewski continue to serve in the capacity as acting township administrator, pending the committee’s hiring of a new township administrator, and to negotiate the terms of Mioduszewski’s compensation both as acting township administrator and chief of police during this period, which lasted through Nov. 11.
The parties have negotiated the terms of a stipend agreement, providing Mioduszewski with a non-pensionable stipend in the amount of $48,000 for his service as acting administrator, subject to final review and approval by the township attorney, according to the committee.
“[Mioduszewski] was great. He is an awesome leader and did a super job with a really tough situation,” Mayor Eric Hinds said.
In other business, the committee also approved two resolutions authorizing the hiring of Thomas Wilson and John Ruan as police officers.
Capt. Frank Allocco said that Sgt. Edward Martinez will be retiring from the Holmdel Police Department at the end of the month.
After serving the police department for 20 years, Allocco said Patrolman James Archinaco retired at the end of October of this year.
Allocco said there is no set date yet for Wilson’s and Ruan’s swearing-ins ceremony.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
