Offer Extended For Temporary Recreation Director In Chatham Township

CHATHAM, NJ — The township will, at least temporarily, have its own recreation director in the near future. The Chatham Township Committee unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the administration to offer the position to Larry McCann.

At the busy committee meeting on Tuesday night, McCann was offered the position of Chatham Township Recreation Director for a 90-day probationary period.

The position's official start date was not specified and will be determined "at a later date," said Chatham Township Clerk Greg LaConte.

If he accepts the position, McCann will be paid $79,500 per year, according to the committee. The resolution was passed unanimously on June 28.

The potential hiring for the position was first discussed on April 18 at the Chathams' Joint Recreation Advisory Committee, a committee comprised of representatives from both Chatham Township and Chatham Borough.

In the first week of May, the position of Recreation Director in Chatham Township was made available to the public. The position of Recreation Director was eliminated following a shared services agreement between Chatham Township and Chatham Borough in 2016.

According to the committee, the newly passed resolution makes no changes to the Joint Recreation Program, which organizes joint travel teams comprised of both borough and township residents.

“We are committed to improving recreation for all ages. That includes desired upgrades as well as proper maintenance of current infrastructure. A dedicated staff member will provide the attention required to make Recreation in Chatham Township shine," Mayor Ashley Felice said.

The committee plans to end its shared services agreement with Chatham Borough in the near future and return to each municipality having its own recreation director.

McCann's position was already budgeted for in the 2022 township budget, so there will be no increase in the municipal tax rate, according to township officials.