Millville commissioners confirm economic development director amid civil-service concerns

The Millville City Commission voted Feb. 3 to confirm the appointment of Mr. Couchy as director of economic and industrial development, a move that drew sustained public scrutiny over civil-service procedures and severance language.

Several residents told the commission they believed the hiring bypassed the New Jersey civil-service application process for a certified position. Tim Cardi, who identified himself as a city resident and a civil-service employee, asked why the position was not opened to certified applicants and urged commissioners to explain how candidates’ credentials were evaluated. "As this is a certified civil service position, I would like clarification on why this position was not open to the public for applicants as per the civil service guidelines," Cardi said.

Angeline Broom Hall, a longtime public commenter, urged transparency and said the public record provided few attachments explaining the appointment. She argued the commission’s earlier on-the-record descriptions of dysfunction and personnel problems made it appear the city had already decided to replace the business administrator "before you even were sworn in."

Commissioner Reinelloo said she was uncomfortable with the resolution because it combined multiple actions into one vote, relied on statutory language that she said is ordinarily used for removals, and contained descriptive language she found unclear; she recorded a No vote. "I don't believe this resolution reflects clear or transparent governance," Reinelloo said during the debate. The resolution passed on a roll call with four Yes votes and one No (Commissioner Reinelloo).

Mayor Dixon and other commissioners defended the appointment as necessary to move the city forward. In remarks supporting the measure, one commissioner said the choice was made to help "get Milville back on track" and described the appointee as central to the commission's economic-development goals. The mayor argued that the decision reflected what the commission believed was best for the city.

Residents and some commissioners also questioned a clause in the resolution derived from statutory language that provides three months' pay on removal. Multiple residents asked why the three-month severance was included in connection with a title transition rather than an outright removal; the mayor and other commissioners responded that the severance provision remains a statutory entitlement tied to the administrator's prior position and would be applied under the ordinance’s terms if the administrator is later removed.

The vote was recorded by roll call: Commissioner Taylor — Yes; Vice Mayor Cot — Yes; Commissioner Kasaboon — Yes; Commissioner Reinelloo — No; Mayor Dixon — Yes. No mover or seconder was recorded on the public transcript for the motion. Commissioners said they would follow up publicly on procedural questions raised by residents.

The commission advanced other business on the agenda and moved to subsequent items after the vote. The public asked for additional documentation and promised follow-up from staff and the municipal administrator on civil-service procedures and severance interpretation.