Advice and consent on Interim Business Administrator_CLEAN with JK edits.pdf

192-25 August 20, 2025 Resolution Memorializing the Expiration of the 60 -day Period of the Mayor’s Apparent Appointment of the Interim Business Administrator and Withholding Council Authorization of Any Extension of Such Time Period At This Time Whereas, West Orange Township Interim Business Administrator James P. Abbott announced in an April 24, 2025, email titled "Subject: Re: State Budget Testimony, Adopted Rules, FEMA Funding” that he was resigning his position; and Whereas, according to Mr. Abbott’s email, Mayor Susan McCartney had selected West Orange Township Assistant Business Administrator Peter Smeraldo to become Interim Business Administrator effective May 1, 2025; and Whereas, Mayor McCartney apparently made this promotion without consulting or even informing the Township Council directly ahead of, or subsequent to, Mr. Abbott’s email; and Whereas, Mr. Smeraldo began serving as the Interim Business Administrator on May 1, 2025, and Whereas, the West Orange Township Municipal Code § 2-2.2 “Appointment Powers of Mayor,” in Sub-section (d), reads: “Whenever a vacancy exists in any office required by the Charter or this chapter to be filled by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Council, and there is no holdover incumbent, the Mayor may temporarily fill such vacancy (in