Sussex County hires new administrator
By Nathan Mayberg
NEWTON — In the first major replacement of a public official since the solar panel crisis began in Sussex County, a new administrator has been named.
Stephen Gruchacz, who was previously the county's human services director, will take over from administrator John Eskilson.
The Board of Freeholders approved the three-year appointment on Wednesday, June 10, in a 3-2 vote.
Board of Freeholders Director Phil Crabb and fellow freeholders Dennis Mudrick and Richard Vohden voted in favor, while George Graham and Gail Phoebus voted against the appointment.
Eskilson, who has been the county's administrator for the past 11 years, announced in April that he will be retiring effective July 1.
Gruchacz will be paid a salary of $165,000.
Graham said he supported another candidate and said Gruchacz should have been named as interim administrator rather than be given a three-year appointment,
"I felt we had someone else who was better qualified," Graham said.
Graham said Gruchacz lacked municipal administrative experience. He has been a nursing home administrator and worked in Essex County government.
Harvey Roseff, who is running as an independent candidate for freeholder, said earlier this month that the replacement of the top county officials should have a limited time frame since a new freeholder board will be taking office in November.
Phoebus is leaving her seat to run for state assembly, while Mudrick lost his seat earlier this month in a Republican primary.
Eskilson will be joined this summer by the retirements of longtime county counsel Dennis McConnell and county treasurer Bernard Re.
On Tuesday, the Board of Freeholders voted to appoint Sussex County Finance Division Director Robert Maikis to the post of county treasurer at a salary of $120,000 a year.
His appointment was approved by the board unanimously.
"He has credentials and he also has certifications. He is qualified," Graham said.
Graham was the lone dissenting vote against the appointment of attorney John Williams to replace McConnell as counsel.
Williams will earn $175,000 a year.
Graham said he thought two of the other counsel candidates had more experience in government, particularly contract law and purchasing.
Williams is an attorney with the Vernon firm of Nicosia Emmons and Williams. He has also worked as a public defender.
Graham said the application process should have been more open and advertised.
"It was not an open process," he said.
A message left with Crabb was not returned.