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A confident council will keep all options open.
Not commenting on whether we need a new city manager or not, just his
contract will be up for review. But, the reality is that 100 people applied for
the job and 60 candidates were evaluated for a new township manager.
After a 10-week search, Howell hires a new township manager
Council picks ex-manager of Eastampton, Burlington CountyPosted by the Asbury Park Press on 02/9/06BY BOB JORDANFREEHOLD BUREAU HOWELL — The Township Council concluded its 10-week pursuit of a new township manager by hiring Burlington County resident Thomas J. Czerniecki at its meeting Tuesday night. Czerniecki, 38, will be paid $97,500 annually. He is currently a consulting planner with Environmental Resolutions Inc. of Mount Laurel, but was manager of Eastampton, Burlington County, from 1999 to 2005. Eastampton consists of less than 6 square miles and has a population of 6,200. Czerniecki, who will assume his duties in Howell on Feb. 27, will be in charge of a township of 62 square miles with a population of 51,000. "I look forward to this opportunity to serve and work with the governing body and the residents of Howell Township," Czerniecki said. Eastampton's current manager, J. Scott Carew, said in a telephone interview Wednesday that Czerniecki has "great experience and has the full package to be successful in his new job." Carew succeeded Czerniecki, but they collaborated on Eastampton projects with Czerniecki in his subsequent job as a planner, Carew said. "Tom's loyalty to the well-being of the township and the direction we're heading was impressive considering he had moved on professionally," Carew said. "He still lives here and I'm sure if there's any free time away from Howell, he'll still be helping us out as a township resident. He and the town started a town center project we're continuing to work on." Czerniecki is replacing Bruce Davis, who held the dual role of manager and township clerk. Davis will remain clerk. Mayor Joseph DiBella said about 100 people applied for the job and 60 candidates were evaluated. The search was navigated by Cranford-based Jersey Professional Management, which has also been compiling an efficiency review of the township government under an $85,000 contract. The council interviewed several candidates, with some — including former mayor and police chief Harvey F. Morrell Jr. — being invited back for second interviews. Morrell, currently Allentown's public safety director, subsequently withdrew his application, officials said. Davis, 55, has been a township employee for 26 years. Council members said their decision to reduce Davis' responsibilities to clerk was based on a desire to separate the manager's and clerk's jobs. Davis' salary as clerk is $86,000 annually and he was paid an additional $52,000 as manager. Davis was acting manager for a year after Jacqueline Ascione was fired in 2001, then he was given the title permanently in 2002. Under the township's government charter, Howell has a five-member council, including a directly elected mayor, but the township manager is responsible for the municipality's daily operations. "Under our form of government, the manager is the CEO of a $40 million business," said DiBella, referring to the township's annual budget. "That's why we took the time that we did to find the right candidate." Czerniecki said, "The mayor and council undertook a thoughtful and rigorous selection process that has set a very professional and positive tone for the manager's office."
Bob Jordan: (732) 308-7751
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