S.R. business administrator
gives notice of resignation
By jennifer dome
Staff Writer
SOUTH RIVER — Borough Business Administrator Brian Valentino has asked the Borough Council not to renew his contract for the coming year.
"I’m looking for a bigger challenge," Valentino told the Sentinel on Tuesday.
Though he said he is uncertain what that challenge will be, Valentino said he wanted to give the borough sufficient time to find a replacement for his position while he figures out his next move.
Valentino, who has held the position for less than two years, earning a salary of $70,000, said he will remain in the borough until April. If he is needed as an administrative consultant after that time, he said he will be around to help out.
The business administrator said that when he was hired he told borough officials that, "As long as I’m getting something out of the town and the town’s getting something out of me, I’ll stay. As soon as one of those things isn’t there anymore, it’s time to move on," Valentino said. He added that the big challenges he established for himself when he began in the position two years ago have been met.
At its meeting Nov. 18, the Borough Council authorized Borough Attorney Thomas Roselli, of Roselli & Roselli, to advertise for a new business administrator.
"It’s unfortunate that we’re going to be losing him, but I think he’s gained a lot of experience in South River that will help him when he moves on to a new municipality," Mayor Robert Szegeti said Tuesday.
"I wish him well," he said.
Szegeti said that a new business administrator will have some hurdles to jump over in order to become accustomed to the operation of the borough — in part because South River is one of only 11 municipalities that controls its own electric utilities.
Szegeti said the borough will be looking for someone who is customer-friendly to fill the position, noting that all former business administrators have been.

