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MANSFIELD: Part-time administrator hired

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   The township has hired a part-time administrator and a part-time administrative assistant.
   A resident during the public comment portion of the Aug. 13 Township Committee meeting asked who the new person sitting with the committee members was and why he was not officially introduced to the public.
   Township Clerk Linda Semus said that Business Administrator Michael Fitzpatrick had been introduced at the last meeting. Chief Financial Officer Joseph Monzo noted that Mr. Fitzpatrick had attended every committee meeting this year.
   ”He has been at every council meeting this year and has sat over there (he pointed to the audience),” said Mr. Monzo. “Last meeting he stood up and introduced himself as the new township administrator.”
   Mayor Robert Higgins noted that the committee passed a resolution hiring him.
   Mr. Fitzpatrick stood up and introduced himself again.
   ”My name is Michael Fitzpatrick,” said Mr. Fitzpatrick. “Nice to meet you. I am the new township administrator here.”
   Mr. Fitzpatrick said he started attending committee meetings when he first heard about the job opening.”I sat at the back of the room,” he said. “It’s a four- or five-month process applying for the position and when I finally had the opportunity and was appointed to the position the mayor did bring me up and introduced me.”
   Mayor Higgins noted that the township received “over 20 applications (and) he was in the top two.”
   ”We had made an offer to the other candidate, however he accepted a full-time position at a salary significantly higher than our budgeted amount,” he said. “We did have a full-time business administrator four to five years ago, however we eliminated that position due to budgetary reasons.”
   Mr. Fitzpatrick officially started on July 28.
   ”He is part-time and salary of $40,000 per year with minimum of 24 hours per week,” he said.
   Mr. Fitzpatrick noted he is a Burlington County resident.
   ”I’ve been here all my life so I know the area,” he said.
   Mayor Higgins said Mr. Fitzpatrick lives in Hainesport.
   ”He serves on the Township Committee and is knowledgeable of the needs of a local municipality and responsibilities of the position,” he said. “In addition to being articulate, he is a good listener, responsive and intelligent. Also, based on his experience, he has accumulated contacts to bounce situations off of.”
   Mayor Higgins reflected on Mr. Fitzpatrick’s first few weeks in office in an email on Saturday.
   ”Regarding his first few weeks, I believe he would note that they have been challenging, informative and he has realized that the township has some very good employees and that he looks forward to serving the residents of Mansfield,” he said.
   Mr. Fitzpatrick said, “I look forward to serving the individuals here in Mansfield.”
   According to the resolution, the committee also appointed Ashley Jolly as part-time administrative assistant at the rate of $15 per hour effective July 21 with no benefits and holidays, and not to exceed 24 hours per week.