Township Begins Search for Administrator, Hires Fire Commish as Interim CFO

The search for a new chief financial officer and administrator is on, said Mayor Don Brauckmann, but it could take several months before somebody is in place.

Township committee earlier this week voted to approve Richard Dietrich as the interim CFO. Dietrich, an accountant, is currently a commissioner here and also serves as the township’s emergency management coordinator.

“We have Rich in there temporarily,” said Brauckmann, “but I think we’re looking at one to three months for someone full-time. I’m looking for the best possible candidate to run our . If it takes a little extra time, so be it.”

The township’s former CFO and administrator, Gerry Seneski, . Seneski accepted a position at the state community affairs department in the local government services division.

Seneski leaves a pretty big hole to fill since he served dual positions. Brauckmann said the advertisement for the position seeks either one person who can do both jobs or two separate people.

“If there’s someone out there with two certifications, and we’re really impressed with him or her, if they are super dynamic and we really like what we see, it will be one person,” Brauckmann said.

In the meantime, Dietrich has been approved to manage the finances of the township. He will make sure bills get paid and will stay current with money issues, Brauckmann said.

He will be getting paid $40 an hour, up to 20 hours a week, for a term up to 60 days, said Committeewoman Kathy Fitzpatrick.

Township Clerk Pam McCartney is reporting directly to Fitzpatrick, who serves as the director of administration and finance. Fitzpatrick will serve in Seneski’s role as reporting information back to township committee.

“She’s helping handle the operation,” Brauckmann said of Fitzpatrick. “Typically, we set the policy and the job of implementing policy comes from our administrator. Kathy is acting like a liaison.”

The job posting for the CFO/administrator position is on all professional websites, Brauckmann said, and township committee hopes to have an accelerated hiring process.

“But it’s going to take a little time,” he said. “I’m willing to wait as long as we have to [to find the right person].”

Brauckmann said township committee members are looking for someone they can feel “comfortable” with.

He likened the new hire to be in charge of running a family business worth $12.8 million—the .

“I want the best person to run the organization,” Brauckmann said. “I think that person is out there.”

Brauckmann credits all township employees for stepping up in Seneski’s absence.

“They are all helping during this transition,” he said, calling them “outstanding employees.” “They are all asking what they can do to help.”

Seneski’s budgeted salary for the upcoming fiscal year is $129,000. One person doing both jobs would come in around that figure, Brauckman said. Staying under the figure if two people are hired could be difficult, he added.

“It all depends on the candidate,” he said. “We won’t know until we get the candidate pool.”

Dietrich is being paid with already-budgeted money for Seneski’s salary. Brauckmann said township committee might have to hire a consultant to “guide us over the next several months” to act as an interim administrator.

Stay with Patch for updates.