Cranbury’s township administrator is moving to a similar post in Hopewell
By: Brian Shappell
Cranbury is on the brink of losing one of its most important public servants.
Township Administrator and Clerk Christine Smeltzer announced Monday that she expects to leave the township after June 2 to take a similar position for Hopewell Township.
The Hopewell Township Committee voted unanimously to offer the position to Cranbury’s current administrator, clerk and chief financial officer on May 4.
“Their governing body seems to be in tune with their residents; they work as a team,” said Ms. Smeltzer. “They really remind me of the Township Committee in Cranbury because they are people who have a vision and are focused on the community.”
Ms. Smeltzer was hired 10 years ago as the township’s first administrator. During that time she has had to deal with a variety of projects with long-term ramifications in Cranbury, including construction of the firehouse addition and the acquisition of the West property.
“I’ve been through open space preservation and economic development (with Cranbury),” Ms. Smeltzer said. “I enjoy that process.”
Ms. Smeltzer said Hopewell is facing many of the same issues concerning preservation and development that Cranbury has been dealing with for several years. Part of the lure for going to Hopewell is that the township is at a much earlier stage than Cranbury is when it comes to these issues, said Ms. Smeltzer.
“It is a community with goals similar to Cranbury,” said Ms. Smeltzer. “The road ahead of Hopewell is more extensive. Cranbury has gotten far ahead in their goals.”
Cranbury already has begun the process of finding a replacement for Ms. Smeltzer. According to longtime committee member Tom Gambino, the committee will review a short list of candidates personally.
“Christine has really done an excellent job and we’re really going to miss her,” said Mr. Gambino. “One of the special things about Christine that was always helpful, giving of her time and kept things peaceful. She never made a bad situation worse, she always made them better.”
The timetable to name a permanent replacement has yet to be established. An interim will be appointed to carry out the responsibilities of the position that will be vacated. Mr. Gambino said the township plans to seek one person to continue as administrator, clerk and finance officer.
There were 41 applicants for the Hopewell administrator position, according to Hopewell Committeewoman Kathy Bird-Maurice.
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 Hopewell Township 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” Hopewell Township Committeeman Robert Higgins added.
Ms. Smeltzer will be paid $90,000 a year. She is making $87,050 for 2000 in Cranbury.
She is replacing Richard Van Noy, who resigned his Hopewell post in fall 1999, and the current interim administrator, Peter Raynor. She assumes her new post on June 5, three days after she leaves Cranbury.
“I really enjoyed my time in Cranbury,” said Ms. Smeltzer. “I am very excited about going to Hopewell.”