Longer Workweek Approved For Montclair Interim Town Manager

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair’s interim town manager will be putting in more hours on the job in 2024.

The Montclair Town Council voted to approve a change in Michael Lapolla’s work schedule at their meeting on Tuesday.

Lapolla – who was working three days a week – will now be working five days per week.

Mayor Sean Spiller and council members William Hurlock, Lori Price Abrams, Robin Schlager and Roger Terry voted yes on the resolution approving the change. Robert Russo voted no, and David Cummings wasn’t present for the vote.

Lapolla’s tenure as interim town manager was recently extended to July 1, 2024. Read More: Montclair Extends Term Of Interim Town Manager, Michael Lapolla

“My goal coming here temporarily is to make this place more efficient and better run than when I got here,” Lapolla told the council at Tuesday’s meeting.

He pointed out that two of his predecessors had served in the town’s top administrative seat for years at a time – a situation he’s hoping to replicate.

“I am here until July,” Lapolla said. “But until then, I'm going to do this job as if I was going to spend the next 10 years here, because I don't think government is temporary. And I don't think government takes off for elections or election seasons.”

“So we're going to get the job done,” he added.

When Lapolla took the reins of the town’s top administrative position last year, Montclair saw its fourth person to occupy the seat within five months. Read More: Winds Of Change Shake Up Montclair Town Government – Again

Timothy Stafford was removed from the position in April amid accusations that he created an abusive workplace that cost the town some key employees. Read More: Montclair Town Manager Gets The Boot; Council Votes To Remove Stafford

Brian Scantlebury took over as acting town manager when Stafford was removed. He’s now listed on the municipal website as deputy township manager.

In July, the council voted on a resolution that temporarily put former town manager Joseph Hartnett back in the seat. Read More: Hartnett Takes Over As Town Manager In Montclair

Hartnett died in early August, just over a week before he was due to pass the torch to Lapolla. Read More: Montclair Town Manager Joseph Hartnett Dies: 'Honor And Integrity'

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