Sussex Borough clerk takes medical leave of absence

SUSSEX BOROUGH - In a situation not totally unfamiliar to Sussex residents, the absence of Acting Municipal Clerk-Administrator Meyghan Weber is raising questions which remain unanswered. Weber, who is on an indefinite medical leave, has been absent from her duties for more than a week, according to Borough Attorney Megan Ward. Ward said she could not elaborate on Weber's absence, as the matter is a confidential personal issue. Weber assumed the acting clerk role in October, 2002, after the six-month leave of absence of former long-time Clerk-Administrator Denise Zuidema. At the time of Zuidema's absence, her duties were assumed by public works director Jeff Card until the council appointed Weber to succeed her. Weber said she has confidence in her staff, and expects an orderly process while she is away. She said she regrets being unable to work, but, "It's like when someone breaks their arm or leg. With a legitimate medical problem, you can't always anticipate them ahead of time." Weber declined to specify the exact nature of her illness, but noted she is also suffering from bronchitis. Weber said she anticipates returning to work on June 7, but that is conditional on her doctor's approval. In Weber's absence, her duties will be distributed among other municipal employees, according to Councilman John Stendor. Following last week's school board elections, deputy clerk Mary Valpone certified the results, as Weber was already absent. If Weber were to remain absent at the time of the June primary election, Valpone would be able to certify the results, according to Stendor. One of the key conditions of Weber's employment was that she would obtain the required certifications to become a registered municipal clerk by December of 2003, which did not occur. She was to have been offered a three-year contract if she obtained the required certifications. As of last week Weber had not provided the borough official proofs of her certifications, and had withdrawn from a required finance course she had been expected to attend. Weber was hired at a salary of $50,000 per year. Stendor said at the time of Weber's selection he questioned the need for a clerk-administrator in a small municipality like Sussex, saying he favored appointing a borough clerk. Weber is a Frankford Township resident, and had previously served as municipal clerk in Frankford, Fairfield, and most recently Montague Township, a job she left in January 1998, after about three years of service.