N.J. Herald: Katz Quits as Vernon Town Manager

West Caldwell resident and former Town Administrator Andy Katz resigned Thursday as Vernon's town manager, according to the New Jersey Herald.

According to the newspaper, Vernon Township Attorney John Ursin announced prior to Thursday night's public meeting that Katz—the town's fifth manager this year—had resigned earlier in the day after just seven weeks on the job.

Details of Katz's resignation were not clear, according to the Herald.

The newspaper also reported that after a tumultuous few weeks, three council members each walked out of Thursday's public meeting, which was cancelled after about a half hour. 

Katz, who resigned in June as West Caldwell's administrator and acting chief financial officer after being hired in February 2008, was the fifth person to hold the town manager position this year in Vernon.

According to the Herald, Melinda Carlton began the year in the position before being fired in mid-January. Robin Kline, the township's clerk, then served as interim manager for the next three months.

Hopatcong Borough Manager Catherine Steinel was hired in April, but she quit after less than two weeks.

Steinel stayed on as interim manager until Deputy Manager Brian Palaia took over as official interim manager for nearly a month before Katz officially started on June 23, according to the Herald.

Katz was to be paid $135,000 for three years, with a 3 percent raise each of the next two years.

Jock Watkins has been serving as West Caldwell's acting town administrator while the search for a permanent replacement has been narrowed to four final candidates, Council President Joseph Cecere, chairman of the personnel committee, said at last week's council meeting.