WEST MILFORD — The township is still without a Department of Public Works director and it doesn't look like the mayor and council will be agreeing on one anytime soon.
Mayor Bettina Bieri announced her selection to the council last month after a two-month search. She and out-going administrator Nancy Gage received 16 resumes, held six interviews and came up with Frank Wilpert, Jr., the current parks, buildings and grounds supervisor for Mount Olive. However, the council did not vote on the mayor's appointment, either at the Nov. 13 or Dec. 4 meetings. Instead, they asked for more input on the candidates who did apply. Now, they and a resident are questioning Wilpert's qualifications.
Councilman Mike Hensley said it comes down to the requirements for him. He said the ad for the job listed five years of supervisory experience and the Certified Public Works Manager license as requirements. Wilpert has one year of supervisory experience but not in the Public Works Department. And he does not hold the Certified Public Works Manager certification.
"He didn't meet the requirements," said Hensley. "He's never spent even one day as a DPW employee. It's mind boggling. It became more and more clear, this is not the right candidate for the township."
Bieri strongly disagrees. She said Wilpert is "highly qualified" and asked the council to interview him. They haven't. As for the license, she said Wilpert has taken all of the courses and is set to take the test in April. It's not a requirement, she said. He has up to two years on the job to get the license. There is already an employee on staff with the license. Bieri noted Wilpert has a bachelor's degree and his references were glowing.
Hensley said the council had the opportunity to interview Wilpert at the Dec. 4 executive session but chose not to because "it didn't seem appropriate," adding, "I want a better candidate than this."
Other questions
Salary is another issue. Bieri and Gage recommended Wilpert be paid a salary of $90,000, plus a $10,000 stipend to oversee the Engineering Department for a total of $100,000. Resident Mike Gerst questioned this, along with Wilpert's qualifications and how his resume was considered one of the best. Wilpert's current salary, according to published reports, is $65,000. The salary bump would be $35,000. Hensley said salary was commensurate with experience, according to the ad, and questioned why the administration's suggested salary for Wilpert was near the top of the salary range when he has no experience.
Gerst also questioned connections between township attorney Fred Semrau, who is also the attorney for Mt. Olive, and Wilpert and officials in Mt. Olive. Semrau vehemently denied the suggestion, saying he had never even met Wilpert until he came to West Milford for the job.
Bieri, too, said she followed the proper process, even going above and beyond by giving the council more information than required. When they asked to see information on other candidates, she obliged, something not required. Bieri said she thinks the council takes exception to the process, where the administration makes the selection and the council gives consent. There were issues two years ago when the township was searching for a new administrator too. That is a state statute for this form of government.
Stalemate
With a few storms already in the books this season, there is still no DPW head in the near future and the mayor and council are at a stalemate. Councilwoman CarlLa Horton asked if the council could agree on this candidate and then negotiate the salary. Yes, said Semrau. But Hensley isn't convinced.
"I would change the salary based on experience but I want a better candidate than this," said Hensley. "DPW needs a strong leader, a competent person. It's a tough job. We gave direction to keep the search going and it's not happening."