Township Manager Arch Liston Puts Advertisement Out For Assistant

Galloway Township Manager Arch Liston is seeking help in the form of an assistant, and on Tuesday night, Feb. 12, he announced he would move to a five-day work week for the next 30-60 days.

Citing needs in the township that require his full attention, Liston announced at Tuesday night’s council meeting, he would move from his four-day work week to a five-day schedule, which will be a 20 percent raise in his pay. He says he will revert back to his schedule in June.

He didn't specify which needs to which he was referring.

Liston was named township manager last year. When he was named permanent manager in March, he took on the four-day work week to save the township money, as the employees were taking furloughs. Furloughs for employees have expired, but Liston remained on the four-day week. As a result, he made $93,200 last year, as opposed to $116,000 for his full-time salary.

Meanwhile, on Monday, March 11, Liston posted an advertisement for a Management Assistant with the League of Municipalities. The advertisement reads as follows:

MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT - GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP; Atlantic County (37,000+population). Duties include oversight of healthcare (NJSHB), Workman’s Compensation, risk management, JIF Commissioner and all levels of personnel management. Work directly for the Township Manager in all confidential matters, other duties and projects as assigned. Must have three (3) years in local New Jersey government experience along with excellent communication and technology skills. Salary DOQ. Please forward resumes to aliston@gtnj.org. Resumes will be accepted until March 31, 2013. Ad Posted March 11, 2013, Ad Removed April 11, 2013

On Tuesday night, Liston referred to the position as “organizational restructuring.”

Resident Anna Jezycki asked how it was possible to add a position when the township laid people off and the retirement of five senior police officers was the only thing preventing police layoffs.

“The impact shouldn’t be much since I don’t work full-time,” Liston said. “This person can act as a supplement.”

Jezycki also pointed out the hiring of Alternate Solicitor Kim Procopio, who is to be used to supplement Solicitor Michael Fitzgerald.

“When you’re laying off, to bring in others doesn’t make sense,” Jezycki said.

In other events Tuesday night:

• No action was taken following Tuesday night’s special meeting concerning possible litigation involving former clerk Lisa Tilton;
• The next council meeting, originally scheduled for March 26, was moved to March 28 so it won’t conflict with Passover;
• Deputy Mayor Tony Coppola became the first council member to read a pre-approved prayer under the township’s new invocation policy;
• Council revealed that the matter of Kennedy’s Bar, which burned down two years ago, is currently in the courts. Liston stated the township is awaiting the results of an asbestos analysis before any decision can be made on the vacant property.