CFO Appointment Brings No Changes

After some back and forth along party lines, the township decided to stick with the status quo in filling the chief financial officer's (CFO) position. 

After being reappointed by the township committee Thursday, Brenda Sprigman will remain as acting CFO in West Deptford until April 30.

Sprigman was brought in the end of December to serve as a temporary replacement for former CFO Richard Giuliani, who retired the end of last year. With an empty chair for both assistant treasurer and treasurer, the committee was forced to vote in an acting CFO to fill the position while they advertise for applicants.

Republican Committeeman Samuel Cianfarini initially motioned for Sprigman to be reinstated until Dec 31—yet, not everyone was on board with Sprigman’s long-term reinstatement.

The proposition immediately met swift opposition from Democratic Committeewoman Denice DiCarlo.

“We have only two heads in the department, they have to be qualified,” said DiCarlo.

Both DiCarlo and Committeewoman Donna Szymborski, a fellow Democrat, had opposed Sprigman’s initial appointment during December’s close out meeting—DiCarlo citing specifically that Sprigman had no municipal experience. While Sprigman’s intentions to obtain a municipal certification were made known to the committee, DiCarlo announced that the township had received applicants who have worked in municipalities their entire career. She, in turn, asked Cianfarini why such qualified individuals were disregarded.

With township administrator Eric Campo confirming that both positions are currently posted, DiCarlo insisted that the township go through the interview process to find the best possible candidate for the position.

Mayor Raymond Chintall, a Republican, agreed with DiCarlo, stating that it was unfair to skip the interview process.

Reluctantly accepting an amendment to the motion, Cianfarini voted with the rest of the committee members to extend Sprigman’s appointment to April 30—in order to keep the position filled as the township proceeds with the interview process.