Aberdeen Twp. Manager Holly Reycraft Retires, Interim Named

ABERDEEN, NJ — Longtime and well-respected Aberdeen Township manager Holly Reycraft retired from the town on July 1 of this year.

Dan Mason has been appointed interim township manager, effective July 1, until a permanent Township manager is hired. He will be paid as a consultant at a rate of $150 per hour for an average of 2-1/2 days per week.

Mason's hiring was approved by the Aberdeen Township Council, which passed a resolution OK'ing his hiring.

Mason, like Reycraft, does not live in Aberdeen. He is a Cranford resident.

Mason is the founder and president of Jersey Professional Management (JPM), a Cranford-based firm providing professional management services, recruitment and assessment services for municipal government.

Since founding the firm in 1988, he has served as temporary manager or administrator in 17 New Jersey towns for periods ranging from three to six months. Prior to forming JPM, Mason served as the borough administrator for Highland Park, municipal manager of Deptford and borough clerk, deputy borough administrator and project director for the borough of Fanwood.

“The retirement of Holly Reycraft as Township Manager leaves an important void,” said Aberdeen Mayor Fred Tagliarini. “In an effort to maintain continuity while we search for a full-time manager, we reached out to Jersey Professional Management and were thrilled that the firm’s president, Dan Mason, was available to serve here on an interim basis. We have the utmost confidence in JPM."

Reycraft was appointed Aberdeen Township Manager in January 2012 after being named Interim Township Manager in 2011. She first joined Aberdeen’s government in April 2006 as Deputy Tax Assessor and became Tax Assessor in 2007.

Earlier in her career, she was employed by Freehold Township, starting as an account clerk in the Assessor’s Office and Finance Departments, before being named Assistant Tax Assessor. She also served in a part-time capacity as Tax Assessor for the borough of Manasquan.

“During the next few months, we will actively search for a new Township Manager," said Aberdeen Councilman Greg Cannon.

“The Council wishes Holly our very best in her well-deserved retirement,” said Deputy Mayor Robert Swindle. “We thank her for her years of service and many accomplishments as both our Tax Assessor and Township Manager.”