Clark council appoints acting chief municipal finance officer and qualified purchasing agent; confirms public works director

The Township of Clark council on April 21 approved several finance and operations appointments to fill recent vacancies and raise procurement thresholds. By roll-call votes, the council:

- Appointed Christy Vieira as acting chief municipal finance officer, effective March 26, 2025, for a one-year term subject to renewal and state approval. Council documents and staff said she will serve in the finance director position while completing required civil service examinations.

- Appointed Joseph D'Aiorio as the township’s qualified purchasing agent (QPA) and increased the local bid threshold pursuant to NJSA 40A:11-3(a) and NJAC 5:34-5. Staff said D'Aiorio is certified by the Division of Local Government Services and will be retained to review procurements on a case-by-case, hourly basis.

- Confirmed James Ulrich as director of public works and shade tree director at the salary shown in the record; council moved the confirmation by unanimous consent. Later in the meeting officials clarified the DPW/shade tree pay scale has a minimum of $1,750 and a maximum of $20,000 for that title in the municipal table of organization.

Public comment raised questions. Delia Collins, identified as a Clark resident, asked whether the town now has multiple finance-related positions and whether Christy Vieira’s appointment was in addition to or a replacement for the prior finance director; the mayor and staff explained Jennifer Kubliska had resigned to take another job and Vieira is serving in the vacant role until she passes required tests. Collins also stated that Joseph D'Aiorio had been fined by the New Jersey Local Finance Board in February 2024 and paid the $750 fine in October 2024; the council did not dispute the public comment and Jim (business administrator) said D'Aiorio’s DLGS certification was in good standing.

Why it matters: The QPA appointment raises the township’s local bid threshold (allowing higher non-bid purchasing limits) and the acting CFO appointment ensures a civil-service–compliant finance officer is in place while staff complete formal certification steps. The DPW director confirmation consolidates title and responsibilities for operations and shade-tree approvals.

All three measures passed by recorded roll-call votes at the meeting. Staff said details on job duties, hourly engagement for outside consultants and posting of the adopted municipal budget will be made available after formal paperwork is filed with the state.