Begins work in Hopewell on June 5
By:John Tredrea
Christine Smeltzer, administrator, clerk and chief financial officer for Cranbury Township for the past 10 years, will leave that post to become Hopewell Township’s administrator.
Ms. Smeltzer is scheduled to start her new job June 5, at an annual salary of $90,000.
Ms. Smeltzer said: “In Cranbury, I was fortunate to work with the township officials on numerous agricultural and open space preservation projects as well as promoting a village center which is a registered historic district. I believe this experience will be very helpful in Hopewell Township, where the community has similar goals.”
The Hopewell Township Committee voted 5-0 May 4 to hire Ms. Smeltzer. She will be the permanent replacement for Richard Van Noy, who resigned last autumn.
Shortly after he left, the township hired former Montgomery administrator Peter Raynor on an interim basis. Mr. Raynor has been here ever since and is expected to stay on board until Ms. Smeltzer takes over next month.
There were 41 applicants for the administrator’s position, committeewoman Kathy Bird-Maurice said May 4. Ms. Bird-Maurice described Ms. Smeltzer as “very personable, incredibly bright … in Cranbury, she dealt with a community that dealt with growth issues” similar to those facing Hopewell Township now, Ms. Bird-Maurice said, and is “very experienced in labor relations issues.”
Other committee members made similar comments. Jon Edwards described Ms. Smeltzer as someone “we’re lucky to have … very articulate, very bright. . .very passionate about doing a good job.”
She “brings a wide range of skills needed in our township” Committeeman Robert Higgins added.
Mayor Marylou Ferrara said Ms. Smeltzer has a master’s degree in public administration from Pittsburgh University. In her graduate work, she specialized in labor relations and information systems management. Also while in graduate school, she was the finance director of McKeesport, Pa. After getting her master’s degree and prior to taking her job in Cranbury, Ms. Smeltzer was Princeton Township’s assistant administrator and chief financial officer.