Franklin Lakes January 26, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Former chief named director of public safety by Frank J. McMahon Franklin Lakes Mayor Frank Bivona has appointed Irving Conklin, the former police chief, to the part time position of public safety director effective Feb. 1. The one-year appointment was confirmed by the council at its last public meeting. The decision to appoint Conklin as the borough’s director of public safety was made by the council when Conklin retired in July 2010. However, then-Mayor Maura DeNicola refused to endorse Conklin’s severance and reemployment agreement. Conklin agreed to submit his formal notice of retirement after a retirement and employment agreement was initiated and negotiated by Councilman William Smith with the acquiescence of former Councilman Steven Marcus, who was chairman of the council’s Public Safety Committee at the time. He agreed to accept the part-time position as the borough’s director of public safety at a salary of $53,000 after the six-month period necessary for him to qualify and be able to work in that position without any impact on his retirement benefits. DeNicola refused to sign Conklin’s severance agreement, stating at a public meeting in August of 2010 that she was not in agreement with the proposed arrangement made by the council regarding the chief’s retirement and rehiring. Her refusal to sign the severance agreement was symbolic, however, because the police chief had already retired on July 30 with a councilapproved agreement that permitted him to receive his full retirement income and full medical benefits while providing him with the part-time position as director of public safety. DeNicola disagreed with the council at the time over the establishment of the public safety director position, claiming it was an unnecessary expense because Conklin would be well compensated with a pension and lifetime health benefits. She wanted to look at options such as exploring an internal promotion or sharing a police chief with another town. Smith, however, pointed to Conklin’s 39 years of service to the borough, providing leadership as the chief of police during a period when the department furnished a consistent high level of service to the residents. He also pointed out that Conklin’s return as director of public safety after retirement will save the borough over $100,000 in salary and still provide the department with a high level of proven leadership. In September 2010, DeNicola appointed Captain Joseph R. Seltenrich as acting police chief until the borough had a part time director of public safety. Conklin began his employment in the borough as a police officer on June 1, 1974 and continued to serve the borough until his retirement last year. He will begin his new position as director of public safety without loss or reduction in his retirement benefits. Conklin will be obligated to work a minimum of 20 hours per week but, in addition to his salary as director of public safety, he will receive 10 vacation days, seven sick days, and two personal days per year. After one year, the agreement will continue The Franklin Lakes Public Schools will hold kindergarten registration Jan. 25 through 28 from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m. Parents of students who will enter kindergarten in September 2011 may register their children at their school of attendance: Colonial Road School at 749 Colonial Road, High Mountain Road School at 765 High Mountain Road, or Woodside Avenue School at 305 Woodside Avenue. To verify a child’s school of attendance, call the board of education at (201) 891-1856. Children are eligible for the kindergarten class in September 2011 if they were unless it is modified by agreement of both Conklin and the borough, or terminated by the borough. Kindergarten registration announced born on or before Oct. 1, 2006. Children do not have to be present during registration. An orientation program will be scheduled for May, and parents will schedule an appointment for their child to participate in a screening activity to help determine kindergarten readiness. Additional information on kindergarten registration is available on the district website at www.franklinlakes.k12.nj.us or by calling Colonial Road School at (201) 3370336, High Mountain Road School at (201) 891-4433, or Woodside Avenue School at (201) 891-5600. 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