Township Creates In-House Network Administrator Position

The Township Committee appointed an in-house network administrator on Thursday night for a savings of approximately $32,000 annually.

“It’s been something that we have been looking at for some time,” township Administrator Veronica Laureigh said.

Laureigh and Chief Financial Officer Adrian Fanning compared costs of an in-house technician and vendors. Having a network administrator in-house saves almost 50 percent, she said.

The township also looked at the success larger municipalities who had gone with in-house vendors, she said.

The contract with the vendor, which cost approximately $80,000 for two days a week, was terminated.

Scott Titus, who was a subcontractor for accounts in Salem, Ocean and Burlington counties for seven years, has been hired with a $48,000 salary plus benefits.

Titus is very familiar with the township’s technology and will start on Monday, Laureigh said.

“There is quite a bit of savings with us going in-house with a five-day a week person rather than an outsourced contractor for two days a week,” she said.

There is also the potential for shared services with the network administrator, Laureigh said.

The township had discussed the possibility with the school district but the district decided to go with an outside vendor, she said.

The township is currently in communication with a neighboring town that has a need. If an agreement is reached, the two municipalities may swap services.

In other news at the Committee meeting:

• The Committee endorsed the Housing Trust Fund Spending Plan. The township has been working with COAH on an affordable housing spending plan ordinance in accordance with state legislation in order to expend trust fund monies. This resolution sanctions that the committee is on-board with the plan that was developed.
• The committee also identified the township’s intent to bond in the event of a shortfall with regards to the COAH Housing Element and Fair Share Spending Plan. This move is required by COAH, that in the future years, if there ends up being a shortfall with the plan that is mapped out, the town would possibly bond. Prior to bonding, the town would have the right to amend the plan accordingly.
• The Committee approved , which will be held on Sunday, July 29.