Asbury Park hires City Clerk
Keddy named Assistant City Manager as key posts still open
The City Council filled one of its vacant administrative positions Wednesday night when it appointed Cindy A. Dye of East Windsor as City Clerk.
The position was temporarily being filled by Deputy Clerk and Registrar Melody Hartsgrove, who will retain her role. Hartsgrove replaced recently retired City Clerk Stephen M. Kay in February.
“She’s done a fantastic job,” Mayor John Moor said. “You stepped up under exteme, extreme circumstances.”
Councilman Jesse Kendle was the lone no vote, saying after the meeting, that although he had the utmost respect for Dye, he thought “there were better suited candidates for the position.”
Dye, whose employment will take effect May 1, was hired for a 3-year term at a $75,000 annual salary.
On Monday officials made the announcement that Fire Chief Kevin Keddy was taking on the role as Deputy Manager. According to a previously introduced resolution, Keddy will receive an annual salary not to exceed $3,000. A final vote is scheduled for May. Keddy, who took his new post at Wednesday night’s meeting, will assist Acting City Manager Anthony Nuccio.
Nuccio, the former Director of Community Relations & Social Services, replaced former City Manager Jack Kelly, who was not reappointed when the sitting City Council took office in January. His temporary position was extended by vote last month but the Council will need to fill the vacancy.
Other vacant key positions include the City Planner and Police Chief.
Last month, the City Council temporarily appointed Heyer, Gruel & Associates to replace Donald Sammet, who resigned as Director of Planning and Development.
Meanwhile, 27-year police department veteran Anthony Salerno is currntly serving as Acting Police Chief.
Appointments were also made Wednesday for vacant board and committee seats.
Donna Troppoli was reinstated as the mayoral appointment for the Housing Authority and Frank Syphax was reappointed on the condition he passes a course needed to retain his seat.
Mayor John Moor said the course credit was an oversight but Syphax was expected have the requirement fulfilled in time for next month’s Housing Authority meeting.
Despite the two reappointments, Moor said the Housing Authority is in need of one more member.
“If five people show up and it’s a 3 to 2 vote a motion fails because you need four positive votes on anything,” Moor said. “So, it’s important we fill these positions as quick as possible.”
Moor said calls for candidates have been put out via the Asbury Park Next Door, Facebook and the city’s website. He hopes to make a final appointment by the May 13 City Council meeting, he said.
And while six appointments were made to the city’s Parking Committee, Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn said they are in need of two additional members for the 9-member committee.
“We went through every application we had for the past four years,” said Quinn, who has sat on the Parking Committee for 18 months. “There are two members that we are going to reach out to…and make sure they are still interested.”
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