Official's MUA expertise is still unknown BY DANIELLE MEDINA Correspondent BRICK TOWNSHIP - Ocean County Republican Freeholder James F. Lacey will start working for the Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority on Feb. 15. He will be paid a salary of $135,000 as the authority's new executive director. Lacey said a few weeks ago when it was made public he had applied for the job that it would be "absolutely inappropriate" for him to comment on his qualifications because it was a "private matter." "If I'm chosen, I'll give you everything you need to know," he said. But as of press time Monday, Lacey still had not released his resume. He could not be reached for comment. Lacey did not attend the MUA's morning organization meeting on Feb. 1. But Ocean County Consumer Affairs Director Stephen Scaturro, who is heads the Brick Republican club, did. Scaturro told the MUA commissioners he was there in his official county capacity. "My office is the advocate for the people of Ocean County," he said. "I'm here to monitor the authority's activities and to have enough knowledge to respond to complaints." TheMUAcommissioners named acting Executive Director Stephen T. Specht, P.E. as the authority's new deputy executive director. The position was recommended by the Alman Group, the authority's consulting firm. Dr. Joseph P. Buttacavoli was tapped to serve as a full commissioner at the organization meeting. He replaces longtime Commissioner Salvatore R. Petoia. Township Council members did not reappoint Petoia, whose term expired on Jan. 31. Buttacavoli, a local dentist, has served as an alternate commissioner since September 2006. The Township Council will have to name another alternate commissioner to fill the seat vacated by Buttacavoli. The commissioners unanimously chose Patrick L. Bottazzi to serve as chairman and Allan E. Cartine as vice chairman for another year. Dennis M. Salerno, Esq., was named the MUA's secretary; Buttacavoli will serve as treasurer and Joseph M. Veni, P.E., will serve as assistant treasurer/secretary. "It has been a great year for us," said Bottazzi. He highlighted some of the authority's accomplishments over the past year. They included receiving state Department of Environmental Protection approval to pull another 5 million gallons per day to sell to other municipalities; authorizing a study for a new water treatment plant; authorizing a new billing system; raising $185,000 through its reservoir sponsorship program; expanding the hours and available parking at the reservoir; and adopting a code of conduct for employees and commissioners. The MUA's acting executive director, Stephen T. Specht, P.E., was named deputy executive director, thanks to a new position recommended by the Alman Group, the authority's consulting firm. Authority members also appointed several professional advisers for its 2008-09 fiscal year. The law firm of Dasti, Murphy, McGuckin, Ulaky, Cherkos & Connors, Forked River, was renamed general counsel at a rate of $175 per hour. Citta, Holzapfel, Zabarsky & Simon, Toms River, was appointed the authority's labor counsel at a rate of $175 per hour. Gluck Walrath, LLP, Trenton, was renamed bond counsel at a rate of $175-perhour. MUA alternate legal counsel has not yet been appointed. John S. Truhan Consulting Engineers Inc.,Wall, was reappointed consulting engineer for 2008-09. This year's alternate consulting engineers are: Boswell Engineering, South Hackensack; T&M Associates, Middletown; Owen Little & Associates, Inc., Beachwood; Alaimo Group, Mount Holly; and O'Brien & Gere, Edison. Holman & Frenia, P.C., was reappointed as the authority's auditor. Acacia Financial Group,Mount Laurel, was appointed financial counsel to theAuthority at a rate of $150 an hour with a, $.85 per-bond charge plus out of pocket expenses, with a minimum fee of $15,000 per transaction. Bruno Associates Inc., Clifton, was hired as grant writing consultant. The MUA commissioners also established the authority's meeting dates for 2008. Caucus and public meetings will be held at 7 p.m. on the third and fourth Mondays of each month, respectively. All meetings take place at the authority's office at 1551 Highway 88 west.