Administrator Enjoyed Working For His Hometown

It was a bit of a homecoming when Andy Katz became West Caldwell's administrator in 2008 after being away from the town for more than 30 years.

But there may be one thing he's more familiar with than his hometown.

As first reported by The Caldwells Patch on Saturday, Katz resigned last week to become Vernon's town manager and return to a council-manager form of government he's been most accustomed to throughout his career.

"West Caldwell is my hometown. It's been very interesting. It's the only town I've ever worked in where I had a history where I actually knew some people. I appreciate the opportunity—I really do," Katz told the governing body during Tuesday night's council meeting.

"I'm used to a little bit different system, so probably about the time I figured this one out is the time that I'm moving on. It has been a pleasure. I said this when I got here. I'll say it when I leave. West Caldwell clearly has been well taken care of. I left in 1976 and it has been well taken care of since and I think that's a tribute to all the administrations and the councils that have gone before and including the current."

Mayor Joseph Tempesta told The Caldwells Patch on Sunday the governing body had been aware for "two or three months" that Katz was seeking employment elsewhere and he didn't deny interviewing with other municipalities when confronted.

Katz, who has also been West Caldwell's acting chief financial officer for the past nine months, officially provided 30 days notice last Monday, May 24.

However, Katz told the governing body during this week's council meeting his work will be completed by Tuesday, June 8, but will continue to provide assistance, particularly to newly hired Accounting Manager Althea Headley, if needed after his departure.

Members of council unanimously passed a resolution, accepting Katz's resignation with an end date of June 8.

"I'm not selling my house. You know where I live. It's a short drive," Katz joked.

"To a large extent, what I have done as a CFO has been centered around the budget, which is essentially complete other than waiting for the state. The day-to-day activities I think can be handled. Anything that needs a signature, Althea can handle on a weekly basis. Absent an administrator, you have department heads who can handle things."

According to Tempesta, who said the town owes Katz a "significant amount" of unused sick and vacation time, there are options in helping fill the financial officer's void both internally—with Headley and Clerk Jock Watkins—as well as externally.

"We have Rice noticed Ms. Headley and Mr. Watkins subject to closed discussions exactly what we need to do for the CFO spot," Tempesta said. "We'll have to discuss that later on as well as our other options to go to the outside. There are many options that we have and I think we need to vet them all."

As part of his administrator's role, Katz assured Councilman Richard Otterbein, chairman of the public safety committee, he will move forward with the $2.5 million fire house renovation project before he leaves.

Otterbein credited Katz for his knowledge and assistance over the past two years.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Andy for the two-plus years of time that he spent with me. When he came in, I was doing the finance and welfare. I was involved with the budget early on," Otterbein said.

"Andy and I have worked very well together over the last two-plus years. Andy, I do appreciate all the time and effort you spent with me and I wish you well in the future."

Katz will become Vernon's fourth town manager since January and will earn a salary of $135,000 his first year with a 3 percent raise each of the next two years, according to the New Jersey Herald.

When Katz was first hired as West Caldwell's administrator in February of 2008, he also received $135,000 and has remained at that rate since, Tempesta said Sunday.

However, the switch to Vernon's council-manager form of government will provide Katz more control and the ability to hire and terminate personnel when necessary.

"Working with Andy was a pleasure. Your experience, your knowledge, your professionalism was much appreciated in a time when we were replacing some people with a lot of years," Councilman Dominick Aiello said.

"You had to take on a role of a 30-plus year administrator as well as a 20-plus year CFO. That's a lot of industry knowledge to have to keep us on par and you did a tremendous job. I certainly appreciate that as well as your friendship."

But Katz reminded the governing body he'll still live just a short distance away.

"I wish West Caldwell nothing but the best," he said. "Again, anything you need over the next whenever, I'm right down the street."