Westfield Honors Jim Gildea For 25 Years As Town Administrator

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield honored Town Administrator Jim Gildea for hitting the milestone of serving 25 years in the role.

Mayor Jeremy Berman said Gildea's tenure is part of a longer record of service in town government, beginning with his first municipal job as a lifeguard at Memorial Pool in 1988.

Gildea is "truly a son of Westfield," said Berman.

He said Gildea grew up in town, graduated from Westfield High School and later worked in several recreation department positions.

Gildea was then appointed assistant town administrator and ultimately took over as town administrator in 2001.

Berman framed Gildea's 25 years in the job as a steady presence through changing administrations, municipal projects, emergencies and celebrations.

"Over the past 25 years, Jim has been a constant through changing administrations, countless projects, requests, emergencies, celebrations, and nearly every municipal issue imaginable," Berman said.

The remarks also highlighted Gildea's experience and standing in local government.

"His institutional knowledge is unmatched, but even more important is how deeply he knows and cares about this town and the people who live and work here," Berman said.

Berman added, "For so many of us, Jim is quite simply synonymous with Town Hall."

Gildea's work is also recognized outside Westfield.

"Jim is highly regarded by his peers throughout New Jersey and is widely considered among the very best municipal administrators in the state," Berman said.

Gildea answered briefly after the recognition.

"Thank you very much," he said.

He added, "I don't like these kinds of things. I don't do it for the attention, but I am very lucky to work in the town that I grew up in and live in. So, thank you."

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