RINGWOOD
(by Teresa Edmond - Staff Writer - May 31, 2009)
RINGWOOD - The Borough Council is reviewing three candidates who are in the running for the position of Department of Public Works (DPW) director.
At its May 12 special meeting, the Borough Council discussed the issue during its executive session with Borough Clerk/Manager Kelley Rohde and Borough Attorney Richard Clemack.
Willard Bierwas’ last official date as DPW director was April 1 before retiring from the post. Deputy Borough Manager Scott Heck has taken over the director’s tasks, although he hasn’t been appointed temporary director, he said.
During the meeting’s public portion, Robin Canetti, president of the Ringwood Democratic Club, asked where the borough advertised the position, how often it was advertised, and what credentials the municipality is seeking in a qualified candidate.
In response, Rohde said that since she would appoint the new DPW head, there’s no need to advertise. Rohde added that all three candidates are borough employees, and she’s still collecting resumes.
Canetti said that Rohde isn’t advertising for the DPW position just as the borough didn’t advertise for the deputy borough manager position last year. Democrats have grilled the Republican Council since Rohde tapped Heck, a GOP former mayor and councilman, for his current position.
Notes from the executive session of the three candidates for the director of DPW position are “not discloseable” because minutes need to be written up and approved by the council.
The minutes “still cannot be released pending the review of the candidates,” Rohde said. “Even then certain private matters cannot be disclosed.”