Cullen Named P/T CFO "In Time of Need"

While a search continues for a permanent chief financial officer, Finance Director Al Restaino said South Plainfield Borough Administrator and CFO Glenn Cullen will be "helping us in our time of need" by serving as part-time CFO here as well.

The council agreed to the appointment, but not before objecting to the lack of a resume with the nomination and prying more details from Restaino. Cullen will be paid $800 per week for five to seven hours' work, Restaino said.

"He's our neighbor. He's stepping up to the plate," Restaino said, adding Cullen will serve "before work, after work, during lunch."

Restaino said he would even go to South Plainfield to meet with Cullen if necessary.

The departure of CFO and City Treasurer Ron Zilinski on Jan. 31 thrust the city back into the void that caused the state Division of Local Government Services to threaten daily personal fines for the mayor and all seven council members in November 2010 for not coming up with a CFO to replace Peter Sepelya, who retired at the end of 2007. Each municipality is required by state statute to have a CFO (see job description here).

"Is the state buying that five to seven hours?" Councilman William Reid asked Restaino.

When Restaino began an explanation, Reid pinned him down first by asking, "Has the state been apprised of this?"

Restaino said the state had been apprised, but then Reid accused him of skirting the answer and asked, "Did the state say this sounds like a good idea?"

"Not to me directly," Restaino said, indicating the response went to City Administrator Eric Berry.

"I don't think I was being difficult," Restaino said, but Reid said, "You were being difficult."

Councilman Cory Storch said he saw no resume with the nomination and Council President Adrian Mapp said, "No, there was no resume."

"If you are asking the City Council to vote on a CFO, that will play a major role," Storch said.

It was then that Restaino explained Cullen's full-time responsibilities in South Plainfield.

"He doesn't have a lot of time for us," Storch said.

Restaino said Cullen would not just be "signing the bill list," but would be working on the budget and more.

"I hope the administration is feeling committed to fill this position," Storch said, to which Restaino said the search was taking place "diligently."

"Trust me," he said.

The vote to approve Cullen was unanimous and the council also approved an ordinance amending the salary band for the CFO post to a new maximum of $125,000. The previous maximum of $110,000 had been described as an impediment to attracting a full-time CFO. The ordinance must pass on two readings and then will take effect in 20 days, possibly pushing the timetable for the new salary and a full-time CFO into early April.

--Bernice