By DON STINE
Gregory G. Fehrenbach, a former Ocean Township manger, has been temporarily hired to fill in for Township Manager Andrew Brannen, who attended his last public meeting on Thurs., Feb. 23.
“We need somebody as an interim manager and preferably one who knows Ocean Township and our operations. I am confident Greg has the experience to handle the job and keep the township moving forward,” Mayor Christopher Siciliano said.
Fehrenbach was township manager in the late 1970s, prior to the hiring for former manager David Kochel.
Brannen, 46, has been the township manager for almost 10 years and his new job at Kean University will be vice president of finance and administration. His last day on the job will be Friday, March 3.
Fehrenbach, who has assisted in the management of many governments for more than 30 years, was also County Administrator at Sussex Airport, Municipal Manager for Vernon, and Business Administrator in Perth Amboy. He will begin his new job on March 6, will be paid $125 per hour on a temporary basis and not work more that 20 to 25 hours a week.
Siciliano said Fehrenbach will be working in the municipal building on Thursdays and Fridays and then working from home at other times.
“I will be there helping out during the rest of the week,” Siciliano said.
Feherenbach is a certified professional manager and also chairman of Government Management Advisors, LLC, founded in 2004. His firm was hired by Ocean Township to search for potential replacements for Brannen at a cost not to exceed $13,000.
Siciliano, who said he would like to hire a permanent township manager by July 1 or sooner, said that candidates will also come from sources other than just Fehrenbach’s firm.
“We already have several resumes submitted,” he said.
