I am a Cinnaminson resident who started attending Township Committee meetings in January to get an idea of where my tax dollars go.
During the January meeting, the Committee approved the formation of a search committee to fill a Superintendent of Public Works position. This is apparently a position which has been empty for a number of years with no urgent need to fill.
The search committee consisted of the township administrator, who also oversees Public Works, the township human resources clerk, the current Public Works foremen, and Committeeman John McCarthy. All of this made sense to me, except the appointment of McCarthy. McCarthy is the liaison to Public Safety, whereas Deputy Mayor Ben Young is the liaison to Public Works, and was not appointed to the search committee.
At the March Committee meeting, while speaking on another topic, Young revealed that he had applied for the position in Public Works. Young’s term on Committee is up this year, and he has coincidentally chosen not to run for re-election.
When Mayor Anthony Minniti chose the committee two months earlier, McCarthy was the second choice of five Township Committee members. Young was overlooked not once, but twice during the selection of the search committee. Did Minniti purposely leave Young off the list because of his interest in the job? If so, it gives the appearance that the posting of the position was a mere formality. If the position is awarded to Young, I can’t help but question the legitimacy of the entire process. Wouldn’t you?
I’m certainly not a conspiracy theorist, but because of what I’ve seen in these meetings, I oftentimes question the motives of some of the Committee members. As our taxes continue to rise, I would keep this particular issue, among others, in mind.
Paul Conda
