TOMS RIVER, NJ – At this point, it’s no secret that Toms River Mayor-Elect Dan Rodrick is going to be making changes at town hall. In a last-ditch effort to shuffle employees to try to protect Mayor Mo Hill’s appointed confidential employees, at least one employee has been moved.
Business Administrator Lou Amoruso was allowed to return to his job four years ago as Director of Public Works. The town has not had a public works director in over four years since Amoruso took the job.
In a letter obtained by Shore News Network, Amoruso claimed he had ‘taken a leave of absence’ from his old job when Hill promoted him to business administrator after the departure of Don Guardian.
Today, Rodrick, who was elected in a landslide victory, sent an official notice to the Hill administration to cease any further employment actions to provide safe-havens for Hill-aligned employees on the confidential employee list. Mayor Hill hired Those workers at will and are not protected under New Jersey’s civil service laws.
Fearing Rodrick will make changes, Hill and Amoruso have reportedly been jockeying to shuffle employees in order to shield them when Rodrick and his team take charge in January.
“As we prepare for the change in administration, it is imperative that the outgoing Administration take no employment actions – no hirings, promotions, demotions, terminations or transfers between now and January 1, 2024 when my administration begins. Any changes and/or increases in department size will be subject to a full review and potential reduction in force after January 1st. Similarly, please enter into no discretionary and/or non-emergent contracts,” Rodrick said in an email to township officials today. “As I, and the new members of council prepare to assume the roles to which we have been elected by the people, your cooperation is anticipated and appreciated.”
Upon taking office four years ago, Hil was sharply criticized by the media and other elected officials after he hired individuals to fill political patronage positions in town hall.