Hillsborough CFO Resigns, Temporary Replacement Appointed

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough has appointed Township Administrator Anthony Ferrera as temporary chief financial officer after the township's chief financial officer resigned.

On Tuesday, the Township Committee approved a resolution ratifying and confirming Ferrera's appointment.

The appointment follows the resignation of Christiaan Bushell, effective Nov. 3.

According to the resolution, the township is interviewing qualified candidates to fill the vacant chief financial officer position.

The document states that under N.J.S.A. 40A:9-140.13(f), when a vacancy occurs after the appointment of a certified municipal finance officer, the governing body may appoint a temporary chief financial officer for up to one year, beginning on the day of the vacancy, even if that person does not hold a municipal finance officer certificate.

Ferrera's temporary appointment took effect Nov. 4. It will expire when the township appoints a new chief financial officer and cannot continue for more than one year.

"We will continue recruiting in his placements," said Mayor Catherine Payne at the meeting.

During public comment, resident Maria Janucik asked, "What happened to the chief financial officer?"

Ferrera said that Bushell "asked that we didn't share that publicly, so I don't think we should."

Payne then said, "He's resigned."

Ferrera has been serving as the Township Administrator since 2012. He previously served on the Township Committee from 2004 to 2011 and as mayor in 2007 and 2008.

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