Franklin Lakes May 19, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Mayor and council clash over appointments by Frank J. McMahon A motion to reappoint three Franklin Lakes employees whom Mayor Maura DeNicola has not reappointed for this calendar year led to a sharp verbal exchange between the mayor and members of the council at the last work session. The reappointments of Brian Peterson, the superintendent of the Department of Public Works; John Ciurciu, the director of the recreation and parks department; and recycling coordinator Richard Lilienthal, who is also the assistant superintendent of the DPW, were on the meeting’s agenda. A spirited debate ensued when DeNicola said she opposed the appointments. “I am not in favor of any of these appointments this evening,” DeNicola told the council. “We are in an economic bind and there are other ways to run these departments more effectively.” DeNicola said she made the choice as mayor not to reappoint these employees and she criticized the council for going around her to appoint them. Councilwoman Nathalie Lota moved to appoint Peterson, however, and Councilman Frank Bivona seconded that motion with Councilman William Smith pointing out that Peterson has been a borough employee for 34 years and has been the superintendent of the DPW for 18 years. The councilman said he is unaware of any negative reports about Peterson, and added that Peterson has been recommended for reappointment by Borough Administrator Gregory Hart. Bivona also pointed out that the appointment involves no change in salary. DeNicola countered that the public works department has a superintendent and an assistant superintendent and 13 employees. “Is the council satisfied with a 13-man department and a quarter million dollars in salaries while there is a 10 percent increase in the budget?” she asked. She said she has had numerous discussions on how that department could be reorganized, and she has been vocal about it. Lota asserted that the department is undermanned for snow plowing, and Smith said he has not seen any suggestions from the mayor on how to reorganize the DPW. “I have never seen a recommendation from you on what changes could be made,” Smith told DeNicola, adding that the mayor should put her recommendations in writing. DeNicola said she wants residents with managerial experience to look at that department to see what can be done. However, Smith questioned why the mayor has been in office for four years and has not done an analysis of that department. “You’ve been in office four years and you haven’t done anything,” Smith continued. “I’m satisfied that Brian Peterson is doing a great job, and the borough administrator feels he is doing a great job, and the council feels he is doing a great job.” Bivona added, “We are talking about appointing people through the rest of the year based on the knowledge we have. These appointments represent an endorsement of people in these jobs and there are no negatives on their job appraisals so I recommend we move forward.” DeNicola said she did not feel the council has the background to make an informed decision on the reappointments, and she criticized Bivona for describing her inaction on the reappointments as “reckless.” “If they are not reappointed, to whom is it reckless?” she asked. “We are reappointing people whom we should reassess. Our responsibility is to the taxpayers not to them.” Bivona said, however, that the reappointments are not connected to the budget unless the mayor is suggesting these employees be fired. DeNicola responded by suggesting a 20 percent reduction in salary, at which point the council voted to reappoint Peterson. Bivona then moved to reappoint Ciurciu with Councilwoman Paulette Ramsey seconding the motion. DeNicola again objected. She said that, while she was instrumental in hiring Ciurciu, his salary is higher than the previous director and comparable positions in other towns, and he was hired with the expectation that his department would be self-sustaining and connected to the schools. Nevertheless, the council voted to reappoint him. When the reappointment of Lilienthal was moved by Lota and seconded by Bivona, DeNicola pointed out that the environmental commission had offered to fill this position without compensation. But Smith indicated that no one has communicated with the council that they would fill the position of recycling coordinator without compensation, and the council voted to reappoint Lilienthal. ����� �������� ��������� ����������� ������������ ���������� ������������� ��������������������� ����������������������� �������������� ����������������������� �������������������������� �������� �������������������������������� ������������������������������� ������������ ����������� ������������� ������������ ��������� ���������������������� ��������������������������� ��������������������������������� ������������������������������������ � ���������������������� ����������������������������� ������������������������ ����������� ���������������������� ��������������������� �������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������� ������� YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER ���������� ����������� ����������� ���������� ����������� ������������� ��������������������������������� ������������������� ������������������������������������� �������������������������� ������������ ������������ ��������������������������� �������������������� Congratulation s to the Allendale Fire Departmen t! With over 28 years of experience, let us help make your swimming pool a relaxing summer time experience. From Pool Opening to Weekly Service to Closing. New Construction and Renovations. Maintenance and Warranty Repair. APSP Certified CSP and CPO keith@keiththepooltech.com  www.keiththepooltech.com Allendale, New Jersey Tel: (201) 425-8500  Fax: (201) 425-8122