The full-time zoning officer replaces Sheri Donovan 37 days after her appointment
The position of zoning officer in Washington Township, and who will occupy that seat, will see some changes in the next few weeks.
At last week’s meeting, council introduced an ordinance to increase the minimum and maximum salaries for certain township officers and employees and passed a resolution appointing Joe Micucci the new zoning officer.
He will replace Sheri Donovan, who was appointed the township’s zoning officer at council’s Jan. 2 reorganization meeting. Township Solicitor Stuart Platt said Donovan was replaced because she already has another full-time position in the township clerk’s office.
At last week’s meeting, council also considered changing the zoning officer position from full-time to part-time, but a potential ordinance that would have made that change failed.
Council President Nick Fazzio motioned to introduce the ordinance that would have made the zoning office position part-time, but he did not receive a second from other council members.
“I believe the township needs, and deserves, a full-time zoning officer, as we have had for previous years,” Councilwoman Angela Donato said.
Many of the residents in attendance at last week’s council meeting shared frustration and disappointment with decisions that were made.
Councilwoman Dana Pasqualone said there was a 12 percent increase of the maximums for certain positions, such as department of finance and administration director whose salary maximum was $106,000 last year, but increased to a maximum of $120,000 under the ordinance.
These maximums, she said, do not include pensions or benefits.
“Ultimately, I just want to do what’s right for the taxpayers by reducing expenses and bringing in new business. I don’t think we’re doing a good job with that by increasing salaries. I don’t think the council is doing what we were elected to do if we increase the salaries,” Pasqualone said.
Platt said the maximums were increased to keep up with the levels of service and qualifications of the individuals, as well as to stay comparable with communities of similar size.
“We need to be able to recruit good people and retain good people. If we don’t have the proper people in the proper places, we can’t go out and recruit good employees and good managers of this township,” Councilman Sean Longfellow said.
“I’m just trying to be mindful of the taxpayers,” Pasqualone said. “I don’t think they would want this. Especially those living on a fixed income.”
According to Platt, salary minimums and maximums are typical of communities the size of Washington Township, and are “a planning and budgeting tool.” Ultimately, he said, council has final say when voting on the budget later this spring.
According to Platt, the township budget is 15–18 percent of resident’s overall tax bill.
Resident Pete Del Borrello shared in the public discussion that these small increases in the salary ordinance, if adopted, do in fact affect residents such as himself.
“The one thing I have a problem with is that just two months ago, we went to redo our kitchen, and I said to my wife, ‘we can’t redo them now because our property tax is due,’” Del Borrello said. “Every time you raise that, or you get those numbers, and think ‘it’s just $4,000 here, $2,000 there,’ you’re raising that number on all of us.”
Council approved the ordinance to increase minimum and maximum salaries on first reading by a vote of 3–2. Pasqualone and Fazzio voted no. There will be a public hearing and vote at the next council meeting, Feb. 22.
A point of contention at last week’s meeting was the appointment of Micucci to replace Donovan as zoning officer, effective immediately. Donovan was appointed as the zoning officer with a term of three years. A scanned copy of the resolution listed council as voting 4–0 appointing Donovan, with Longfellow abstaining.
According to Platt, the zoning officer position is not a contracted or tenured position, and “serves at the pleasure of the council,” and is an “at-will posi- tion,” meaning although Donovan was appointed last month, the position can be replaced at any time given the council’s vote.
The resolution appointing Micucci passed with a 3–1 vote. Pasqualone voted no; Joe Perry, Longfellow, and Donato voted yes. Having run with Micucci twice and helping him on his last election for council, Fazzio recused himself from the vote, as well as the discussion. The term of Micucci’s appointment is for one year.
Council members stated at the meeting no notice went out to the public to solicit the job offer, therefore no resumes were considered for the position.
“Where’s the transparency?” resident Mary Bahm asked. “There might be somebody in our own town that’s very qualified and could have put an application in and have it looked at, but that wasn’t even an option.”
Platt said no notice needed to be released.
“The person who held the position previously had no zoning officer experience. Her position was also not posted, nor interviewed for,” Platt said. “We were keeping with prior practice, with at least the prior position.”
When Perry was asked about his relationship with Micucci, working together as bus drivers, he stated at the meeting he did not believe that was a reason to abstain from the vote.
Business revenue in Washington Township was also a major concern for residents at the meeting, who said council needed to push for larger businesses to move into the community.
“We don’t see any growth in business in this township. I don’t think there’s been any big business. I think what we really should focus on is getting some major companies in here for ratable purposes,” resident Joe Fernicola said.
Longfellow made a motion to put out a request for proposal to seek submissions for an economic development advisor position. According to Platt, this would give the township a chance to hire an expert in economic development who would evaluate the town, bring in business and “kick-start Washington Township.”
The motion passed with a unanimous vote. The advertisement will be posted for 30 days.
