Township Appoints Interim Recreation Director

While the mayor and deputy mayor will not change in 2012, the appointed Jack Conway as the interim director of Chatham Recreation at its reorganization meeting Thursday.

Conway, 64, replaces Brian McNany, who was the director of the joint borough and township recreation department since 2010. A Florham Park resident, Conway previously served as the administrator of Berkeley Heights.

"The plan as it was presented to me [is to] make things run as efficiently as possible," Conway said.

The role of Chatham Recreation director is appointed annually. Township Administrator Tom Ciccarone did not comment on why McNany was not reappointed.

Carol Nauta remains as deputy director of the department.

Beginning a New Year

Committee Members Nicole Hagner and Robert Gallop were the sole nominees for Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 2012. This will be Hagner's third year as mayor and Gallop's second year as deputy mayor.

Committee Member Bailey Brower Jr. was sworn in for his fourth term on the committee, and Katherine "Kathy" Abbott was sworn in for her first term. Abbott replaces Bill O'Connor, who did not run for re-election.

In her mayor's address, Hagner lauded the savings the township realized in 2011 through the , the service, shared services, energy efficiency upgrades to the and .

These and another $1.2 million in salary and benefits savings contributed to the township approving a 2011 budget with no local tax levy increase, and, Hagner said, will help the township committee continue offering competitive services at a reasonable rate for residents.

"Although we focused on savings in 2011, we again did not overlook the improvements needed to maintain our town," Hagner said, citing the township's road improvement plan, now finished with three of its five years, and to .

In 2012, Hagner said she wants to pressure the utility companies for greater accountability in light of shortcomings during and the . She called the communications breakdown during the storm "unacceptable," and said the committee will continue to evaluate what went well and what did not during the storms.

Appointments

The committee also approved volunteer appointments to various boards and committees. Committee Member Kevin Tubbs said those who wanted to be reappointed to positions held in 2011 were, and Hagner said some boards still need volunteers.