Borough Manager Resigns; Accepts Consulting Gig
Without a commitment from council to extend his contract beyond this year, Fair Lawn borough manager Tom Metzler submitted his letter of resignation Monday.
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Unable to secure a commitment from council that he'd be retained beyond this year, Fair Lawn borough manager Tom Metzler chose to resign Monday and accept a job doing emergency management consulting.
Metzler's resignation, which takes effect May 30, marks the fifth time Fair Lawn has changed managers in the past seven years.
While Metzler said he would have preferred to remain the borough's chief executive officer, he was unable to get assurance from council members that they'd have him back next year.
"There's an election in November and Fair Lawn doesn’t actually have a stellar reputation of keeping managers through an election," Metzler said Friday. "I was very concerned that, at the end of this year, if the majority pendulum swung in the other direction, I wouldn’t be rehired, and I didn’t want to be unemployed."
Metzler, who'd received multiple offers to do emergency management consulting following Superstorm Sandy, was left with a difficult decision.
"After a while I made the decision that it was time to go," he said. "That the insecurity here versus the security being offered working in emergency management was worth the change."
Mayor John Cosgrove, upon learning of Metzler's decision to step down, asked the manager whether there was anything he could do to stop him from leaving.
"I told [Cosgrove] that if they could guarantee me a contract through the end of 2014, I would stay," said Metzler, who's entitled to retirement benefits starting next November when he turns 62. "At that point if they let me go and I wanted to take my pension and work part-time as a consultant, I could do that. If I wanted to see if I could find a full-time job as a manager, I could do that. At that point, the ball was in my court."
Cosgrove said he lobbied council members to retain the manager through next year, but failed to secure the necessary support.
"I think it’s a sad day for Fair Lawn and I really believe that we should begin to look at giving [managers] long-term contracts," he said. "We’ve had five managers in seven years and without continuity our borough is at risk.”
Councilman Kurt Peluso, who declined to disclose his stance on extending Metzler's contract through 2014, agreed that the borough's frequent turnover at the top was troubling.
Rather than offer longer contracts, however, Peluso said he advocated changing Fair Lawn's form of government from its current council-manager format.
"I would like to see a direct election of the mayor instead of it being done by the council," said Peluso, who also suggested reviewing the role of the borough manager.
"The manager is such an important position in our form of government, not everyone fully comprehends the role that they have," he continued. "I think there's some things we may have to review as a council going forward."
Peluso said that while he was comfortable with Metzler's performance as borough manager the past 14 months, he felt next year's council should have a say in whether to retain him.
"The primary responsibility of the council is to put in the borough manager, so I think if I'm [extending] his contract above and beyond this year, then I'm taking some power away from those people who are about to be elected," Peluso said. "Jeanne [Baratta] and Ed [Trawinski], they're not going to be serving past 2013, so should they be extending the contract for the CEO of our borough? That’s a big question."
Peluso said his ideal borough manager would work to keep property tax increases below the 2 percent cap, maintain the borough's amenities, keep his door open to the public and always stay involved in the community.
He thanked Metzler for his service to Fair Lawn, not just as borough manager, but also as the former emergency management coordinator and a longtime community volunteer.
"It’s unfortunate that he’s leaving," Peluso said. "Tom said it best when he was at the council meeting — it’s just the position. There's not really much job security with it."
Metzler said he was disappointed to be leaving, but not at all angry about the council's decision.
"I appreciate that they would even consider keeping me on," he said, adding that he'd remain available to any future manager who had questions.
"The fact of the matter is," Metzler said. "I want Fair Lawn to succeed, because if they don’t, what are the alternatives?"
Metzler said he'll stick around through the budget's adoption this year to ensure Fair Lawn is headed in the right direction.
"I'm hoping that if I can get council to approve something close to what we’re presenting to them, that it will assure a continued growth for another year," he said. "After that, it’ll be on a new manager."
Cosgrove said council had yet to discuss appointing Metzler's successor.
Related articles: Mayor Issues Statement on Manager's Resignation
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Aslan
10:27 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Goodbye! Good riddance.
Double Dipper Metzler did such a good job. Lets remember the pay raise he pushed for last year and pain he put us through with the improper car purchase and subsequent settlement which prevented Councilwoman Swain from speaking it and cost us a small fortune. Its a good thing to see this bad chapter in Fair Lawn history come to end.
Good luck Mr Metzler, we will continue to pay the fees you raised for years to come. Please feel free to visit, or maybe even move here so you can pay the fee increases you came up with too.
Michael
11:12 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
I truly believe that Fair Lawn should have a non partisan council. The fights between Democrats and Republicans are ruining this town. Tom Metzler knows this town, all the different sides. His emergency management experience and his leadership brought us through Hurricane Sandy.
Seek the rEVOLution
5:15 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
I always find it interesting how they fight over nothing. I don't see much difference between the two parties on a local level other than who gets the patronage jobs. The answer is less government, fewer laws, fewer fees and more freedom.
Jack Donohue
11:12 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Tom's leaving is a huge loss to the Borough of Fair Lawn. His experience, management style, and successes are the kinds of things that we need going forward.
I wish him well, but mourn the loss of a real asset to our community
Michael Agosta
7:57 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
This announcement one week after the 'Republicans' announce their candidates for council this year.
http://fairlawn-saddlebrook.patch.com/articles/fair-lawn-republicans-announce-2013-borough-council-nominees
"There's an election in November and Fair Lawn doesn’t actually have a stellar reputation of keeping managers through an election," Metzler said Friday. "I was very concerned that, at the end of this year, if the majority pendulum swung in the other direction, I wouldn’t be rehired, and I didn’t want to be unemployed."
Seems like the Dems are being handed the election.
J Grisham
11:13 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
While they did nominate a Harvard Liberal and lawyer from Massachusetts, your efforts will ensure the same outcome a 4-1 democrat council. Team Cosgrove is about to become a gang of 1.
Mr Agosta, you have made lots of noise about a 3rd party slate, where is it? When will we get to see it?
BeInformed
7:57 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Mr Donohue please tell us of the " successes" you speak of . His departure this time isn't as flamboyant as the 1st but results from similar lack of support from the council
ShortVisit
11:13 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Nothing changes in Fair Lawn. Politics has ruined every crevis. Until we the people force the hands of the politicians, nothing changes. Hello Tom, Goodbye Tom. 10 percent raise wasn't bad either!
PipedPeter
11:13 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
10 percent over 2 years, and he resigns! I hold the council responsible!
BNice
11:13 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Tom is a great man & good for Fair Lawn, we will surly miss him. I will definately miss his exciting dance moves and rapper style! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piGU-B0m5DE Hopefully the council can do something and extend his contract if it's not too late. Thank you Tom for a solid job done!
Concerned
2:35 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Since you opened this can of worms, this video was a classless display of what leadership in our town has become. I don't have the answer but Fair Lawn is in trouble, especially the police department.
Deleted because of harassment
11:13 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Not surprised at all. Most communities with this form of government keep managers for decades. Not here. The instability is hurting the town and the turnover allows the incompetent to escape detection. We had too many attorneys and managers and heads of the police department in the past 15 years to have anything close to stability in how the town is run. Changing to a non-partisan form of government is not the answer because under that system the party manipulations are just driven underground; voters need to elect non-partisan PEOPLE instead. Never happen here.
Stuart Pace
11:13 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
"I didn't see this coming" said no one.
all about the benjamins
11:13 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
zak could you or anyone provide an answer? ive heard that after metzler was released for the car issue he was still getting paid. if this is true how much was he getting paid. and after he got the position of manager back did that payment stop, or was he getting that money, plus his salary, plus his $25 an hour raise?
please let me know cause that seems like an awful lot of money for one year pay thats coming out of the tax payers pocket
FL republican
4:54 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
He was on the settlement gravy train too. It may explain why he is almost 300lbs. As part of the settlement for leaving, he negotiated a gag order which prevented Lisa Swain from speaking at the 2012 reorg meeting. At that time he was still milking the tax payers of Fair Lawn (not sure when it ended), collecting his $140k salary while the old manager was doing the same for 3 months. Metzler raised fees, increased his own salary and has done all around poor job of reducing the burden on the taxpayers.
Councilman Poppycock was wrong about Metzler being the best thing to happen to us then, this resignation only adds insult to injury.
Sheryl Cashin
11:13 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Not surprised at the Dems for not committing to keep Mr. Metzler on as Manager if they become the majority after the next election.Same old crap in good ole Fair Lawn. Never about what benefits the town, just politics as usual. @ Belnformed ~ lack of suport from the council meaning lack of the Dems giving any consideration as to what is good for the town. How about taking a good look at how things have been run since Tom Metzler has been back as Manager. Should we start with Superstorm Sandy? I would be interested in hearing from Swain and Peluso as to the reasons why they think that Mr Metzler has not done a good job and why he needs to be replaced. Betcha they can't come up with one. Pathetic
BellairBerdan
12:00 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Seems the politics was just fine when it was used to fire the standing manager, forcing the people of Fair Lawn to pay out the remainder of his contract in order to rehire Mr Metzler.
Mr Metzler should be thanking Fair Lawn for hiring him back, giving him a big raise to increase his retirement benefits and being a stepping stone for his next job. We can thank him for deciding it should cost $20 to read a water meter not $5.
blazin101
1:15 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Thanks Ed trawinski for your poopy cock no vote against metzler! Now fair lawn has to retrain a new manager. Great continuity here. There goes the moral again!!
BeInformed
1:46 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
@Sheryl Cashin. If you could add & subtract , you would realize that 3 out of 5 councilmembers are Republican leaving 2 Democrats . In other words the Republicans didnt need the Dems to hold onto "the Great Hope ".
Suspect07410
1:46 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Just a thought, did the two deputy mayors that work for the County vote about Thomas staying in town or would that be a conflict since the "gig" he's leaving for is rumored to be a OEM job with yes the County too. Funny how things work, the poor police dispatchers are now recording how many calls they take by order of Thomas because one of our deputy mayors who is employed by the County brought up County dispatch again. I could not process how the two deputy mayors employed by the County could have anything to do with dispatch going to the County or how a rumored soon to be County OEM employee can have anything to do with it? Sounds like another large lawsuit is in store for the taxpayers of Fair Lawn...dirty back door political busniess, you all should be ashamed of yourselves! Thomas remember where you started, the Fair Lawn Police Communications Center!
county employees running FL
2:31 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
if metzler is leaving for a county job that would really be something else!
lets look at this chain of events; republican majority (2 county employees) immediately replaces current manager w/ metzler and the town is paying the salary of 2 mangers for some time (taxpayers $). the salary was fine w/ the previous manager but metzler feels entitled to more so our "conservative" leadership gives him a raise (more taxpayer $). i also recall our "conservative" majority was about to give the borough attorney a pay raise too, but luckily our "immature" democrat council member spoke up at the meeting and the attorney quickly agreed to receive the same salary as the last attorney.
now that our county employees are leaving it seems metzler is going to work for the county with them, and appears he used FL as a stepping stone to a nice cushy job with the county. do you think its possible barretta and trawinski could have helped get him this new county job? remember when mr Peluso suggested there could be a conflict of interest w/ members of the council working for the county executive? remember the republican majority voted to not allow mr peluso to voice his concerns about potential conflict of interest at a meeting? welp looks like he might have been right, jokes on the the taxpayers and baretta, trawinski, and metzler will be laughing all the way to the bank (for a very long time if you count hos pensions)
hope you people who fought to get metzler back realize you all got played.
FL republican
4:54 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
We should have recalled the RINOs. Fair Lawn would be a much better place with REAL Republicans, with REPUBLICAN values, not just Democrat Lite values. The Fair Lawn Republican Club has become nothing more then the "We're Democrats with a different name Club". About the only thing the RINOs have are better personal careers then their Democrat counterparts. After all, being a Wall St Banker or Lawyer is better than working at the Y.
Stuart Pace
2:00 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Seriously, I feel bad for FL Employees. Every year someone new comes along and lasts a lunchtime. It's mismanagement at it's finest.
whoopi
4:54 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
after looking at the FL payroll i dont feel bad for FL employees at all. 80k for a typest or secretary, a rec center that has a ton of employees that dont do anything. anybody w/ common sense could turn 4 positions we currently employ into one position and save a ton of money. but we cant do that because the people who hold those jobs have connections in town (thats how they got the job in the first place). look how many town employees are related to each other, its a joke.
i dont feel bad for the FL employees, i feel sory for the FL taxpayers who actually pay for all this BS.
Michael Agosta
4:54 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Stu,
I feel sorry for my wallet.
The landowners are the ones that pick up the tab for the mismanagement. This is called, "It's all about me."
Sheryl Cashin
4:54 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
@BeInformed ~I know that 3 out of 5 councilmembers are Republican. In case you haven't heard, there is an election in November. If the majority of the council becomes Democrat, they will most likely not keep Tom as Manager, and he knows that. So yes, the Republicans would need the Democrats to vote yes to keep him if they become the majority. By Tom asking now, it was Peluso and Swain's opportunity to say they would keep him. Of course they have no intention of doing that. The reality is that the only YES vote would be Cosgrove. So either you are the one that can't add or subtract or you know nothing about how this works. And if you want to be taken seriously, try using your real name.
BeInformed
6:18 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Thankyou Zak. I was unaware of that.
delgado
5:15 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
This is INSANE. He is leaving to take a County job. So we have a double dipping Republican County Executive, a double dipping Republican Sheriff, a double dipping County Adminstrator/Fair Lawn Dep. Mayor, a double dipping Republican Chief of Staff /Deputy Mayor and now Metzler.Bergen Republicans are out of control, no one could be more out of control then this crew. There is no defense for all of these selfish acts and the WORST is that the Republican SWORE to lower property taxes while all they are doing is raising taxes.
Bruce Knuckle
5:15 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
He should not have been given the job in the first place. His loyalty is to his wallet. Now the council has to find another plumber or secretary to take the job. Bye bye Tom, you did win, thanks for helping create Fail Lawn.
simple question
9:11 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
he was well aware barretta and trawinski were stepping down when he excepted this job (and pay raise). if he wanted a job with long term security why did he accept this job to begin with?
seems like him and our republican leaders werent "putting fair lawn first" when they appointed him borough manager.
Denise Klein Pacelli
9:28 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Fair Lawn Council members(Barretta, Trawinski and Metzler) who are currently or soon to be employed by the County should not be permitted to vote or lead the way for ANY issues pertaining to County business IT IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND NEEDS TO STOP NOW!
delgado
1:07 am on Friday, March 8, 2013
It is terrible that he is moving to Bergen County and will take a high paying position. What is worse is the way it was done. Tom knows, as per public documents that FL Deputy Mayor/Bergen County Adminstrator Trewinski also has a serious problem in that Trewinski also is listed as the Acting Director of Adminstration and Finance for the County of Bergen and thus is entitled to another salary, which has been secretly increased up to $40,000.00 and was never approved by the Republican Freeholder Board because of Republican. And now Tom has taken that information and stated that it would be widely revealed, unless pending the outcome of Tom's new County position.... and of course the other FL GOP Councilmember/Bergen Deputy Chief of Staff Barrata went along with it.... Sadly this all going to bring down the Republicans. imho