By Allison Perrine
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS – After serving as Atlantic Highlands’ top official for 16 years, borough administrator Adam Hubeny will leave the position effective Oct. 15.
At the Sept. 30 council meeting, officials approved a resolution naming Long Branch resident Roberto Ferragina as Hubeny’s replacement. He will earn $120,000 annually in the position, tasked with carrying out policies and directives of the governing body, according to the borough.
“I know I have big shoes to fill. It’s obviously an emotional day for many. Adam’s done an amazing job so I think that if I do half the job he did, I’ll be on track to do the best I can,” said Ferragina. “I look forward to being part of the community and I sincerely appreciate this opportunity.”
Hubeny’s resignation announcement came in July. After working 42 years in public service both as a police officer and as borough administrator, he decided it was time to retire. He came to the position in 2005 when the previous longtime administrator John Phair died.
“Although not interested at first, I made the application after consultation with my wife and let’s just say that the rest is history,” he wrote in his resignation letter, dated July 8. “Over my 16 years, I have had many ups and downs serving 4 Mayors and 19 councilmembers. All have undoubtfully made a mark on my life and for that I will forever be grateful.”
Throughout his tenure, Hubeny had a hand in the remodel and rebuilding of the borough hall and municipal harbor after Super Storm Sandy; construction of affordable housing; securing of multiple grants to fund projects in town; and more.
“As I prepare to leave my office that I have called home for the past 16 years, I leave with great reflection on a career that I am very lucky to have served this wonderful community that I have called my home for the past 34 years,” Hubeny continued. “This is not necessarily a goodbye, but a simple – see you later.”
Ferragina’s employment in the borough is possible with the approval of an ordinance amendment made by the borough council this summer. Since 2005, borough code required its administrator to be an Atlantic Highlands resident. According to Hubeny, several individuals throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s served the town but did not live in it at the time of their appointments, including Matt Kulhank, Rob Robertson and Bill Boerth.
At the Aug. 12 meeting, officials reflected on that law. Hubeny noted that of the 50-plus applicants vying for the new administrator position, only one was an Atlantic Highlands resident. However, Councilman Jon Crowley argued that as a small town, there are benefits of having the administrator living in the municipality; he was the sole official to vote against the change.
Some residents agreed. Zac Brown, for example, said during the public hearing on the ordinance that while he understood the sentiment behind the proposal, it’s a good idea to have an administrator who lives in town. He suggested that there be some leeway and that the borough allow nonresident applicants to accept the position but have 180 days or a year to move to town.
Resident Regina Keelen said she agreed with the ordinance. “I think that it shouldn’t matter where you live. I believe we need to try and get the best people here in Atlantic Highlands,” she said.
During the Sept. 30 council meeting when the borough officially accepted Ferragina by way of resolution, Mayor Loretta Gluckstein said the Long Branch native was “far beyond the other people” who applied. Ferragina called his decision to leave his job in his hometown – as assistant director of the Office of Community and Economic Development in Long Branch – difficult. However, the decision became easier once he “got to know everyone” in Atlantic Highlands.
“It seems to be a very sincere, tight-knit community,” he said.
Atlantic Highlands is not the only area municipality that now allows its administrators to live outside of the town. Middletown Township does not require its administrator to be a resident of the township or even state at the time of his or her appointment, but “only with the approval of the Township Committee,” its code states.
Residency is also not required in Colts Neck Township. According to its code, the administrator “shall be chosen solely upon the basis of his or her executive and administrative qualifications.” It also states that at the time of the individual’s appointment, “he or she need not be a resident of the municipality or state. During his or her tenure of office, he or she may reside outside the municipality only with the approval of the Township Committee, which approval, if granted, shall extend through the term of his or her appointment.”
On the other hand, Highlands Borough requires all of its officers and employees “to be a bona fide resident of the Borough” as a condition of employment, its code states. “Failure of any employee to maintain residency in the Borough, when required to do so under the terms of this section, shall be cause for removal or discharge from service.”
The article originally appeared in the October 7 – 13, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
