By AUBRIE GEORGE
Tom Czerniecki has managed Evesham Township during a time when construction of an overpass at the intersection of Route 70 and 73 threw business owners and commuters for a loop and a zero tax increase budget was produced in a difficult economy.
For such accomplishments as well as his overall excellence in leadership, Czerniecki has received statewide recognition through the New Jersey Municipal Management Association’s 2010 Outstanding Manager Award.
The award was based on Czerniecki’s accomplishments since joining the township’s staff to fulfill the role of manager three years ago.
NJMMA Executive Director Bob Casey said Czerniecki was selected mainly because of his management of the township during the elimination of the Marlton Circle as well as the cost-saving measures and operations analysis that resulted in a zero-tax increase budget.
He was also recognized for the various capital improvement projects carried out under his leadership.
Casey said the Outstanding Manager award is one of the highest awards given out by the NJMMA. He also added that the Outstanding Manager award is only given out when the association sees a township manager fit to receive it, which is not every year.
“In our opinion, he has gone above and beyond what most other township managers get involved in,” Casey said of Czerniecki.
Czerniecki attributed the recognition to the work of more than just himself.
“This award is based on a body of work over the past three years, and I think these have been some of the most difficult years in municipal government,” Czerniecki said. “I think that speaks volumes about our team,”
He credited Mayor Randy Brown and Evesham Township Council as well as the staff of professionals that he works with daily.
“I recognize that this honor would not be possible if the mayor, council, and staff didn’t understand how our system is supposed to work,” Czerniecki said. “It really took our entire team to put all of those accomplishments together.”
He said that he was proud of the team for being able to govern not just for the current economy, but also for the long-term good of the township.
He noted the team’s success in implementing innovative projects, such as a new shared fueling station, the township visioning study, expansion of the recreation department’s summer camp programs, and the ways in which the team managed a recent property reassessment and Marlton Circle elimination project.
“I’m very proud of that and, clearly, that requires steady leadership from Council and their confidence in execution at my level and below,” he said.
As for the recognition from the NJMMA, Czerniecki said he was still in a daze.
“The committee includes some really outstanding managers and to be given this award at this particular time is a really great honor,” Czerniecki said.
