New twp. manager ready to get to work in Howell BY JOYCE BLAY Staff Writer Howell HOWELL — There will be a new manager watching over the $40 million business of the township. On Feb. 27, Thomas Czerniecki, 38, will take over the reins of government administration in Howell from Bruce Davis. Davis has held the dual role of township clerk and township manager for five years. He will return to the full-time position of clerk. “I’m convinced we did the right thing by the 52,000 customers of this community,” Mayor Joseph DiBella said before introducing Czerniecki at the Feb. 7 Township Council meeting. Czerniecki will be paid $97,500 a year as township manager, said DiBella. The township manager’s job is key in Howell’s council-manager form of government. According to the township’s Internet Web site, the mayor and council promulgate public policy and the manager interprets that policy as administrative action. Once Czerniecki assumes office, he will advise the mayor and council members of problems, provide information for their decisions and report on the general operation of local government. Czerniecki, who is currently employed as a consulting planner with a Mount Laurel-based civil engineering and planning firm, as stated on a fact sheet provided by the township, has a background that will enable him to perform his new responsibilities. A licensed professional community planner, he was township manager in Eastampton, Burlington County, from 1999 to 2005. He began his career as an administrative analyst in Montville before moving on to the position of assistant township manager in Randolph. Czerniecki earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Montclair State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Kean University. He is working on a second master’s degree in city and regional studies at Rutgers University’s Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. A married father of two, Czerniecki and his wife, Jolyn, have two daughters, Sophia, 7, and Anna, 3. He said the couple has not ruled out moving to Howell once he assumes the position of township manager. The family resides in Burlington County. Czerniecki said he is looking forward to beginning his new job. “I feel this is a good fit for both the town and me,” he said. “They’ve set the tone with the way they conducted the search ... I look forward to becoming a part of that process.” Czerniecki said a management audit would be conducted in order to improve efficiency and quality of life in Howell. “I think quality of life means different things to different communities and this process will help us establish the steps local government should take to promote enhanced quality of life for its residents as it relates to municipal government,” he said. Deputy Mayor Peter Tobasco said the choice was a great decision. Councilman Juan A. Malave said a lot of time and effort went into Czerniecki’s selection. Councilman Robert F. Walsh said the selection process was his first for a township manager since being elected to the council in November. “I do think we came up with a person who can help this town tremendously,” he said. “We picked who we thought would do a good job. This is a tough town. It’s also a wonderful town in which to live.” Councilwoman Cynthia Schomaker indicated that the appointment would provide residents with an added reason for pride in their township. “We all want what is in the best interests of this community,” she said. “I believe this gentleman will bring respect to this community. It’s going to be a new day. I look forward to tomorrow.”