Council Discusses How to Replace Retired Workers

The Paramus Council and the Golf Commission discussed the possibility of putting the municipal golf course under the supervision of the Shade Tree and Parks director at their work session Tuesday.

The golf course has a void in its leadership, with the upcoming retirement of superintendent Ken Krausz, and the general manager position still open after in February.

The Borough has advertised for a combined manager-superintendent position, and received 15 resumes as of the meeting. But members of the Golf Commission want the two positions to remain separate.

"We came to a strong conclusion that it would be practically impossible for any one person to do both positions properly," Michael Mariniello, a member of the Commission, said.

The Commission's recommendation to the Council was to hire a new superintendent and manager from among current golf course employees. But Mariniello said he was in favor of how the course is currently being run.

In Krausz's absence (he's been using the remainder of his vacation time), a foreman is handling the superintendent duties and Shade Tree and Parks Director Joseph Sexton provides assistance. Councilman Alan Brundage expressed enthusiasm for possibly making golf course management an official part of Sexton's responsibilities.

"It sounds like you're for some kind of consolidation," Brundage said. "I think that's been the M.O. of this particular council."

The Council also heard from the Board of Health, which also must fill its top position with Health Officer John Hopper . Board Vice President Colleen Amaro proposed promoting the assistant health officer to the top department spot and then eliminating the assistant position.

One of the Department's health inspectors is also retiring, leaving only two inspectors to handle quarterly inspections of the approximately 400 food establishments in Paramus. Amaro suggested that the Department could hire a 10-hour a week inspector to help shoulder the work.

"It's our feeling that the two inspectors just will not be able to cover the amount," she said.

While the Board of Health can make appointments as it sees fit, it's up to the Council to provide a budget for any hires.

The governing body didn't make a decision on the golf course or Health Department at the meeting, but discussed in closed session. The Mayor and Council's next meeting is June 21.