Phillipsburg Hires from Within, Tax Assessor to Fill Role as Business Manager

PHILLIPSBURG, NJ---Amongst just a tad of controversy and a 3-1-1 favorable vote, the town council Wednesday evening hired a new business administrator following the departure of Matthew Hall nearly a month ago. Current Phillipsburg Tax Assessor Craig Brotons was tapped by Mayor Randy Piazza, Jr. for the job at an annual salary of $45,000. According to the resolution, Brotons "possesses the requisite knowledge and skills to ably discharge the duties of the business administrator. He also knows the Phillipsburg market and its business development in addition to its organizational structure and personnel". In addition, Brotons also will continue to serve as the tax assessor as he has for the past 13 years earning $101,000 salary per year serving in that position. He also assesses taxes for both Washington and Franklin townships, however not through a shared services agreement with the towns of Washington and Franklin in Warren County, Piazza commented that Brotons has been involved in all the town's initiatives and projects, and being experienced will require no ramp-up time in his new position. Councilman Keith Kennedy objected to his immediate hiring and abstained from the confirmation vote because he requested more time to evaluate Brotons' application and only received the particulars this Monday. Kennedy abstained from the vote, noting he felt he was a good candidate; rather, he objected to how it was presented to the council. Councilman Lee Clark said he objected to the hiring because he believes "this is a structural thing", and that the tax assessor and business administrator jobs should not be combined. He remarked he was confident that "Brotons is a very honorable man, but we need someone fully at the head of this ship."

"This position is critical," said Council President Pete Marino. He added referring to town employees, "I've never seen people work so hard--it's because they are cleaning up a 24-year-old mess caused by previous administrations."

In other business , council heard the complaints of parents whose elementary school children pick up the bus at South Main and River Streets downtown. Parents said they have been crossing the street along with their children in ongoing attempts to protect their children from drivers who are illegally passing a stopped bus displaying its flashing lights. The parents said the intersection needs a dedicated crossing guard and a police patrol to pull in the reigns on drivers also speeding past the school bus. Council took the matter under advisement and said it would assist if they are able. They also informed the parents the local school district controls and assigns bus stops, and the town pays for crossing guards now in high demand. Read More:

Phillipsburg Police Remind Drivers to Follow School Bus Laws, Fines and or Jail Time to Follow for Offenders

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