West Deptford CFO Appointment Back on the Table, but for Who?

West Deptford Township Committee will vote on an acting CFO at its meeting Feb. 7, but a committeeman is tight-lipped on the possible appointee.

Acting CFO Brenda Sprigman's one-month appointment expired Jan. 31.

The position caused much debate among committee members after Sprigman was put up for the position by Committeeman Samuel Cianfarini. During the final 2012 meeting, Committeewomen Denice DiCarlo and Donna Syzmborski pressed Cianfarini on Sprigman’s qualifications, specifically her lack of municipal experience.

During the meeting, tensions continued to mount after Cianfarini disclosed Sprigman’s connection to the Republican Party. While Sprigman had served as the vice chair of the Republican Party, GOP chair Denny Forte released a statement hours after her appointment confirming Sprigman had submitted in her resignation from the position.

While Cianfarini did not wish to disclose whether the candidate he plans submit this time will be temporary or permanent, he says like all appointments there will be a sunset clause. Cianfarini estimates that, so far, the township has received about 20 applications for the position.

Not wishing to disclose the frontrunner's name, Cianfarini did say that years of experience put this candidate ahead of the rest. He also adds that the new financial consultant has given good feedback on the candidate as well.

“It’s all very positive information,” says Cianfarini about the new candidate.  

With the resignation of Richard Giuliani during the township committee's 2012 close out meeting, West Deptford was left without an assistant treasurer and CFO. Sprigman was appointed as temporary replacement from Dec. 31, 2012, to Jan. 31, 2013.

“We have a major problem in just the functioning of the financial department,” says Cianfarini, adding the financial consultant is still uncovering gaps in records, such a whole payroll that is missing.

Estimating about the 2012 general ledger at about 97 percent complete, Cianfarini says that this appointment will be just one more step to getting a functional financial team in place. Calling it unacceptable to not have a functioning general ledger in place in prior years, he hopes “staff corrections” will prove to produce a more viable financial department—noting that previous staff changes have already yielded results.

Other appointments on the agenda for Thursday night include a member of the RiverWinds Advisory Board and a member of the library commission—both filling unexpired terms.

Deputy Mayor Sean Kilpatrick is slated to discuss a football fence and the RiverWinds summer concert series, while Mayor Raymond Chintall will address the Adopt a Park Program, the Mayor’s Book Club and NJLOM “Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition.” 

To view the complete agenda for Thursday's meeting, click on the PDF above. 

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