One Position Eliminated, One Position Created at BTMUA

The commissioners of the Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority, led by a Democratic majority, voted Monday night to eliminate the position of an employee with ties to the Brick Republican party and create a new position for an employee with ties to the Lacey Township Democratic party.

Another position held by an employee with ties to the Brick Republican organization was initially up for elimination but the matter was held for a month.

The position of Administrative Supervisor of Finance, held by Lisa Lau, was eliminated effective immediately after a vote, said Nicholas Montenegro, BTMUA attorney. Lau also served as Central Services Administrative Supervisor.

"The duties and responsibilities of the two positions may be reassigned and absorbed by other positions inside the authority," said Montenegro.

Lau, whose position paid $72,864 in 2012, according to state records, has served as a Republican county committee member in Brick. She had been employed with the MUA since 1992.

Commissioners Joseph M. Veni and Al Cartine both voted against eliminating the position.

A similar measure which would have eliminated the position of Director of Accounts, held by current Board of Education member Frank Pannucci, Jr., was tabled for a month. Pannucci previously served as chairman of the Brick GOP organization.

After eliminating Lau's positions the commissioners unanimously approved creating a new position for Gary S. Vaccaro, a former Democratic candidate for the Lacey Township Committee. His latest bid for public office, in Nov. 2013, was unsuccessful.

Vaccaro will become the authority's Director of Compliance, Safety and GIS (Geographic Information Systems). Montenegro said the position will entail the overseeing of regulatory issues, compliance with health and safety regulations impacting authority operations and the implementation of safety programs.

Vaccaro has worked at the MUA for seven years and currently earns $95,388 each year. His salary under the new position was not immediately disclosed.

The new personnel moves come a month after the MUA commissioners eliminated a position held by former Brick Republican council member Domenick Brando, who was employed as the authority's emergency management coordinator.

At the time, Brando told an Asbury Park Press reporter that the elimination of his job was payback for his vote against appointing a former Democratic councilwoman to be township clerk last year while he was still serving on the council.