Lacey says his feet 'well-planted' in MUA job
BY DANIELLE MEDINA Correspondent

BRICK TOWNSHIP - Despite the controversy surrounding his appointment as the Brick TownshipMunicipal Utilities Authority executive director, Freeholder James F. Lacey is settling into his new job.

"He's been here three and a half days and he promises not to quit," Vice Chairman Allan Cartine said at the BTMUA meeting on Feb. 25. "He's going to hang on despite what the media says. Isn't that right, Jim?"

"Yes, Mr. Chairman," Lacey said, as he smiled and nodded.

Lacey said he spent his first few days introducing himself to the MUA's 100-plus employees. By the time of the authority's nextmeeting, which is scheduled forMarch 17, he will be up and running, he said.

"I am familiar with this authority, and I feel my feet are very well planted," Lacey said. "It's a real honor to be here."

Lacey was appointed to the authority's top job by the MUA commissioners at the Jan. 28 meeting. He was awarded a three-year contract that will pay him $135,000 annually. Lacey's position as freeholder pays him about $30,000 annually, plus benefits.

A number of media outlets, residents and organizations have questioned Lacey's qualifications for the job and the manner in which he was hired, since his appointment to the MUA.

Although he has worked as a business administrator in other towns, most recently Beachwood, his experience in running a water and sewer utility remains unknown.

Both Lacey and the MUA have declined numerous requests to release Lacey's résumé, as well as the résumés of the other candidates for the job, citing confidentiality concerns.

Former MUACommissioner Salvatore Petoia also questioned the manner in which Lacey was appointed, saying that he never saw his résumé or the résumés of the seven other candidates.

"Contrary to people saying he has no qualifications, I don't think that's true, in fairness to the guy," Petoia said in an article in the Feb. 21 Brick Bulletin. "I talked to him for quite a while about desalinization. I was quite surprised at how much he knew about the process. That impressed me. Is he the best qualified? That's the crux of the matter. I don't know."