Council fails to hire recommended police candidate, approves retroactive code enforcement appointment

Union City Borough Council on July 9 discussed two personnel matters with different outcomes: the motion to hire a recommended police candidate failed for lack of a second, while a retroactive appointment for a code enforcement officer passed with one councilor recorded in opposition.

Police Chief David Pernice recommended hiring Kenneth Fye as a full-time officer and said Fye passed civil service testing and background checks and that he "has nothing but good comments about him." The Civil Service Commission provided a certified list showing only one candidate met requirements and recommended Fye. Councilor Steadman moved to hire Fye, but the motion "failed for a second" and therefore died; the chief later asked why the motion failed and no councilor provided a reason. The council recorded that the item will be revisited at a future meeting.

Separately, the Personnel Committee interviewed Mark Zigler and recommended him for Code Enforcement Officer. A retroactive motion to appoint Zigler was moved by Councilor Osborn and seconded by Councilor Joyce; Councilor Uber opposed on the grounds that Zigler should reside in the borough, but the motion carried. Council notes indicate Zigler can begin virtual iWorqs software training on July 12 and could begin substantive work on July 29, 2024.

The council did not provide a vote roll call for the failed police-hire motion beyond recording that it died for lack of a second. The Zigler appointment was recorded as carried despite Councilor Uber’s opposition; transcript does not provide a full roll-call tally for that vote.