Council may appoint new CFO at Tuesday’s meeting
McGreevey staffing
cuts help town fill
department vacancy
VERONICA YANKOWSKI Ryan Cathcart, 14, and Mark Berls, 13, of North Brunswick take advantage of the mild weather and play roller hockey at Babbage Park, Willow Place and Glen Ridge Road, North Brunswick, on Saturday.
NORTH BRUNSWICK — The Township Council will likely appoint a former state official as chief financial officer (CFO) for the township on Tuesday night.
Gerald C. Seneski, former financial management improvement program manager of the state Department of Community Affairs, was named the interim CFO recently by Mayor David Spaulding.
"I am thrilled for the township and the staff that we are lucky enough to have Gerald work in the town," said Business Administrator Rob Lombard. "I am delighted to have someone with such great credentials. He has many well-regarded references, and it will be great to work with him."
Seneski will become the full-time CFO if the council approves him at the upcoming township meeting on Tuesday, according to Lombard.
"He has to be approved by the council to become the full-time CFO," Lombard said. "This position is required to be confirmed by the council."
Council President Francis "Mack" Womack said that he plans to vote for Seneski.
"No one has voiced any opposition to him," Womack said. "I intend to vote for him. It is anticipated that the council will vote for him. He is only available because his position was cut from the state budget. He comes to us highly recommended."
Seneski had worked for the Department of Community of Affairs since May 2001. He was responsible for automating the transmittal, review and approval process for local government financial statements and budgets. He was also responsible for providing a more efficient process with better public information and disclosure.
Prior to his work at the state level, Seneski worked as the CFO for Cumberland County in Bridgeton. He worked there from August 1994 until joining state government in May 2001.
He had also worked at Frank C. Schmitt Jr. CPA as the senior assistant from August 1987 to June 1988, the senior staff auditor from July 1988 to December 1989, and as the manager from January 1990 to July 1994.
He currently serves as an adjunct instructor at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, and Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck. Seneski received a bachelor’s degree in business administration in May 1986 and a master’s degree in public administration at Widener University in Chester, Pa.
Seneski is a certified public accountant, certified county finance officer, certified municipal finance officer, a registered municipal accountant and a licensed public school accountant.
He will be taking over for Judith Tiernan, who had worked as the chief financial officer since spring 2000 when Suzanne Veitengruber resigned. Tiernan had previously worked as the financial director of Plainsboro. She resigned to take a job as the financial director of Marlboro, according to Mayor David Spaulding.