Residents attending last night’s Medford Township Council meeting were stunned as Mayor Chris Buoni announced the resignation of Township Manager Chris Schultz, effective Aug. 19.
The announcement was made after council meeting began with an executive session. The announcement of Schultz’s resignation was made when the public portion of the meeting re-adjourned.
Buoni would not comment on the reason behind Schultz’s resignation, stating it was a personnel matter.
“He tendered his resignation and council accepted it,” Buoni said.
Schultz was not in attendance during the regular portion of the meeting. He entered the executive session shortly after it began. Schultz immediately left the Public Safety Building following adjournment of executive session, just prior to the announcement of his resignation.
Buoni had numerous kind words about Schultz’s tenure following last night’s meeting. He credited Schultz with making improvements in Medford’s finances and operations after he was appointed in 2011.
“When Chris started here, it was absolute chaos,” Buoni said. “In a short time, it was turned around.”
Council is expected to begin the process of selecting a new township manager shortly. Buoni said it will meet with a representative from the League of Municipalities, with the goal of having them give a presentation at the next council meeting on Aug. 19. Buoni wants residents to be informed of how council will go about selecting a new manager.
“We want the township residents to see the process,” he said.
Council did not put a timeline on the selection of a new manager. Buoni said they are willing to take as long as they can to find the right person for the job.
