At the February 24th Council Meeting, the meeting was front-loaded with a closed session. The closed session lasted an hour and ten minutes. Upon the Mayor & Council exiting closed session at 8:50pm, a Resolution was presented and read into the record for hiring a consulting firm for Administrator services.

The Resolution (#2025-62) provides for the Borough to spend up to $32,000 for hiring the consulting firm New Jersey Community Solutions LLC.

The rate breakdown is $175 per hour, not to exceed 25 hours per week, for the initial two weeks. Then, 20 hours per week for up to 4 additional weeks, including attending evening meetings when required. The fee also includes the consulting firm's services for recruitment in searching for a permanent Administrator.

New Jersey Community Solutions will provide the Borough of Manville with a part-time consultant to serve in lieu of an Interim Administrator, while also working to recruit potential candidates to secure a permanent Administrator for the Borough.

The part-time consultant will not be considered an employee of the Borough. They will receive no benefits, and not be on the Borough's payroll. The consulting firm's fee includes providing the part-time person as part of the service they are providing.

During Council discussion, it was implied that the part time person will be working in the Borough to see what its specific needs are. Does Manville need only a part-time permanent Administrator? Or does Manville need a full-time Administrator? These questions will be answered as the consulting service works with the Borough to see how to best serve the Borough's needs and requirements.

In the event the consulting service would need to charge over the $32,000 total rate, Council would need to conduct another vote on the matter.

It was also clarified during Committee Reports by Council President Ron Skirkanish that there was no need to have the Special Meeting (that was cancelled) because the Borough Attorney was working on negotiating the contract.