Vernon tabs former county official as interim manager

Vernon — Overworked Vernon employees will get much-needed support next week when former Sussex County Administrator Gregory C. Fehrenbach takes on the dual task of managing township affairs and leading the search for a new, full-time manager. Fehrenbach is one of only 12 accredited municipal managers in New Jersey. He heads a consulting firm in East Brunswick that specializes in running executive searches, and in taking on interim management positions. The township council passed a resolution on Monday evening to hire Fehrenbach as an interim manager, with Councilmen Jim Oroho, Austin Carew, and Glenn McLaughlin voting in favor and Neil Desmond voting against hiring Fehrenbach. Mayor Janet Morrison was absent from the meeting because she was sick. Speaking on Tuesday from his East Brunswick office, Fehrenbach said his goal is to get the township where it wants to be. “The governing body will set the goals and objectives, and my chief task will be help settle budget concerns and to move along the recruitment process for a full-time manager,” Fehrenbach said. Vernon has been without a manager since February 27, when Don Teolis resigned after Vernon police charged him with battering his wife. Teolis joined Vernon Township as a zoning official in 1998. He rose to become planning director and assistant manager in 2000, acting manager in 2002, and manager that same year. Desmond said that although he supports the concept of hiring an interim manager, he thinks the existing township staff members have been doing a splendid job of keeping the town working effectively and harmoniously. Fehrenbach has excellent qualifications for job, Desmond acknowledged, but he said the township might have erred in not taking the time to compare the services and costs of other consultants with those Fehrenbach offers. Speaking to this newspaper in an interview the day after the meeting, Carew said he thought it imperative to get Fehrenbach “on board,” and was happy that the council agreed to hire him. It would have been irresponsible on the part of the council to do otherwise, he said. “I’ve been impressed by the way the staff has pulled together during the past two-and-a-half months, and now we have someone to give them relief,” Carew said. “Gregg knows his way around county and the state. “Vernon has so many complicated issues to face, and we haven’t interviewed even one person for the permanent manager’s position,” he continued. “This fellow has an impressive background, and this is a big issue for the town. The people of Vernon voted for this form of government, and a manager has almost the same kind power an elected mayor does.” The cost of hiring Fehrenbach — $125 a day and an additional $24,700 flat fee for the manager search — is offset by the town’s not having to pay the salary and benefits of a full-time manager. The council expects Fehrenbach to work 16 to 20 hours a week in his role as interim manager. Oroho also said he strongly endorses Fehrenbach, and has heard nothing but the highest praise for his ability to build consensus and to work harmoniously with town employees. “Greg can give us some valuable oversight as we move our projects forward,” Oroho said. “He understands the importance of applying sound business principles to government efficiencies and cost cutting measures. He also can help us identify a permanent manager who is right for Vernon.” Fehrenbach said he would spend with the councilmen to find out the skills and qualifications they would like to see in a new manager, and then would draft and publish advertisements and then winnow out the least promising applications. He then will shift the best among the top-ranking candidates for the council to interview. The process is likely to take about three to four months. The choice will come down to skills and chemistry,” Fehrenbach said. Gregory C. Fehrenbach • Certified Municipal Finance Officer; Certified County Finance Officer; Certified Professional Manager • Outstanding Service to Local Government Award 2004; Local Government Management Excellence Award (1996, 1980), New Jersey Municipal Management Association, Inc. • Principal, Government Management Advisors, LCC, East Brunswick (Sept. 04 - present) • Sussex County Administrator (01-04) • Piscataway Administrator (97n01) • Lakewood Municipal Manager (93n97) • New Brunswick City Administrator (89 n93) • East Brunswick Administrator (85 n89) • Ocean Township Manager (78n85) • Moorestown Deputy and Acting Township Manager (74n78) • Easton, Pa., Senior Planner (70n74) • Milwaukee, Wis., Research Technician (69-70) • A.B. King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. (1969), Government/Economics • M.A. U. of Wisconsin (1970), Urban Affairs