METUCHEN – Although Metuchen’s new borough administrator lives in neighboring Edison Township, Melissa Perilstein is essentially an adopted Metuchenite, Mayor Jonathan Busch joked.
The Metuchen Borough Council approved a resolution for the mayor’s appointment of Perilstein as the new borough administrator at a meeting on Feb. 3. She will begin her new position with an annual salary of $125,000 on March 2 as Jay Muldoon, current borough administrator, will transition to the position of director of special projects on the same date.
The council had approved the position of director of special projects through an ordinance at a meeting on Jan. 13. Muldoon had expressed interest in serving in the position.
Busch stated that Perilstein has lived the Oak Hills neighborhood for 22 years, which is practically across the street from Metuchen.
“She is absolutely fabulous,” Busch said. “She has more than 10 years of experience in municipal government and in municipal administration. Before entering the public sector she was very active with Bristol-Myers Squibb in HR [human resources in the New York and Princeton offices]. She brings a real administrative capacity and experience to this position.”
Perilstein currently serves as Edison Township’s administrator of Policy and Strategic Initiatives under Mayor Thomas Lankey’s administration. Prior, she also served as a councilwoman on the Edison Township Council.
“I am humbled and deeply honored to be offered the position of BA in Metuchen,” she said at the meeting. “I’m really super excited to work with Mayor Busch and all of you and borough employees to facilitate your vision for Metuchen and its residents.”
Perilstein said while she has an Edison mailing address, her home is three houses away from the Metuchen border.
“My connection is very strong [in Metuchen], from my children’s educational experience of community preschool to my son’s participation in Metuchen travel soccer and now my daughter’s dance studio located off Main Street,” she said.
Perilstein said the Metuchen community has provided so much, including many great meals, drinks and ice cream cones with her children.
“I’m looking forward to joining the Metuchen team where we can manage, develop and implement policies to continue to maintain a sustainable and vibrant future for the Brainy Borough … so let the journey begin,” she said.
