Metuchen will bid farewell to two borough fixtures in the coming months.
Police Chief Robin Rentenberg, a 25- year veteran of the force, and Borough Administrator Bill Boerth, who has held the post for more than two decades, have announced their retirement.
“I think both of them will be missed in the borough,” Mayor Thomas Vahalla said, adding that both have seen Metuchen through major events, including superstorm Sandy. “It hasn’t been a tub of butter over the years.”
Vahalla said both men have worked diligently to enhance pedestrian safety, a major issue in the borough.
The mayor said he first got to know the police chief when Rentenberg was a detective investigating an incident at Vahalla’s home.
“It was just clear to me how straightthinking and forthright he was over the years,” the mayor said.
Vahalla added that he was a little surprised to learn of Rentenberg’s retirement — set for Feb. 1 — but he thinks it may have to do with Gov. Chris Christie’s pension reforms.
“I think he’s looking out for what he’s got to be looking out for,” Vahalla said.
Although Vahalla said Rentenberg won’t necessarily be replaced from within the Police Department, he said that he and members of the Borough Council hoped that the new chief would rise up the ranks from the pool of the borough’s existing officers.
“Rob has been a very good public servant over the years,” Vahalla added.
Rentenberg could not be reached for this story.
Boerth’s retirement is set for Dec. 31. Vahalla said he has assembled a committee consisting of himself, Council President Jay Muldoon, Councilman Ronald Grayzel and Parking Authority Chairman Len Roseman to vet potential candidates to fill Boerth’s shoes. “We’re starting to get résumés in,” the mayor said. Once they’ve narrowed the pool of candidates, the interview process will begin, he said, adding that officials hope to have some overlap between Boerth’s departure and the new employee’s arrival to ensure a smooth transition.
Vahalla said Boerth’s shoes will be hard to fill, and that he will be missed.
“I think over the years, he’s proven to be a good leader and served the community well,” he said. “His strength in budgets has gotten us through some tough times …”
Boerth — who spends his leisure time caring for his horses and doing Civil War cavalry re-enactments — said he has yet to make any big plans for his retirement years, but after serving the borough for more than 23 years, he is ready to close that chapter.
“It’s kind of bittersweet,” he said. “I’m going to miss the people here, but it’s time to turn the page.”
In addition to the two retirements, Kathryn Harris left her post as borough clerk to take a job with Lakewood Township, Vahalla said.
“I was very surprised,” he said of the news, adding that she had recently obtained tenure with the borough.
He added, however, that Lakewood is a larger community that could provide a higher salary, and is closer to her home.
For now, the clerk position is being filled by Sharon Hollis, who serves as secretary to Metuchen’s Building Department, as well as to the planning and zoning boards.
Vahalla said Boerth is reviewing applications from candidates for the position, and the hope is that he will make a recommendation for a hire by the council’s Oct. 20 meeting.