By Missy Ritti
For OCNJ Daily
City Council on Thursday approved the first reading of an ordinance that would restructure city departments to look a lot like they did two years ago.
The measure, which will eliminate the Department of Community Operations and reinstate the Department of Public Works, will receive a second reading on August 27.
Business Administrator Jim Mallon said the changes are necessary to “increase efficiencies” as the City tackles an ambitious list of capital improvement projects in coming years.
“This allows us to take care of tasks on a day-to-day basis, and it allows project managers to focus on the capital plan,” Mallon added.
Councilman Mike DeVlieger agreed, citing the “huge” capital projects list as a factor in his vote.
In May 2013, the city merged the Public Works Department and Community Services Department into a new Department of Community Operations.
Roger McLarnon was hired to lead the new department, based on his qualifications in engineering, zoning, planning and capital projects, areas of emphasis in creating the new structure.
In August 2014, the city re-established the Community Services Department to handle recreation and public relations services, among other tasks. Kristin Gallagher was hired in September 2014 to lead the department, but she resigned in May, and the position has not yet been filled.
The new ordinance would bring back the Public Works Department and retain the Community Services Department in a structure similar to what existed before May 2013. See attached PDF for full documentation on the reassignment of duties.
Councilman Pete Guinosso abstained from voting on the first reading of the ordinance.
Neither Mallon nor City Council discussed how the change will affect individual personnel.
