JACKSON – The Township Council recently voted in support of a resolution authorizing a separation agreement that will end Terence Wall’s years of service as business administrator of the municipality.
During the Council’s most recent meeting that was postponed by two days, Resolution R114-2025 was read as part of the consent agenda.
No specifics about that resolution were noted or who it applied to but some members of the public were aware of who the resolution concerned and addressed his departure during the public comment period.
Wall told The Jackson Times that it was his decision to leave the position. He said the administration and financial departments were left in good order.
He will be joining the recent exodus of high level staff that has included the township clerk, the chief financial officer and the assistant chief financial officer.
Wall had recently been called upon to conduct a full review of the township’s police department, building department, code enforcement office and Department of Public Works by Council President Jennifer Kuhn.
This followed an argument during a January 30 council meeting that had also been rescheduled to later date where the council voted against the hiring of an interim CFO in the wake of the CFO and Deputy CFO exits.
Wall argued that the township was left “naked” and legally vulnerable without a serving CFO as budget preparation season had started but Kuhn responded during that session that Wall was not telling the facts about the issue.
She also chastised Wall for not properly vetting the candidate whose contract to work for Jackson was ultimately turned down. Kuhn said seeing the candidate’s names on banking paperwork before the vote to hire him was even taken, represented a red flag warning. Wall responded that this was draft documents in the event he was hired and he tore them up during the verbal sparring with Kuhn.
Council members rejected Wall’s recommendation for the interim CFO in a 4-0 vote. Disciplinary actions taken by that candidate’s former superiors were noted by Councilman Giuseppe Palmeri, Councilman Nino Borrelli and the council president as the primary reason to oppose his hiring.
Council Vice President Mordechai Burnstein confirmed with The Jackson Times that an outside firm will be contracted to conduct an independent audit of the critical township departments.
Wall has served as Jackson’s business administrator for six years and his role included presenting and explaining each year’s proposed budget, hosting public events such as Jackson Day and interacting with each department head and fielding questions by township residents on matters involving those departments and their work and procedures.
Wall served on the Holmdel Township Committee for nine years, and had been the chief administrator in three other municipalities. He told The Jackson Times, “After over six years of dedicated service to Jackson as the Business Administrator under the thoughtful leadership of Mayor Michael Reina and the outstanding work of dedicated departments, I have decided to retire from my position and transition into the private sector.”
“It has been an honor to serve the residents of Jackson, and I am incredibly proud of the progress we made during my tenure. From improving infrastructure and public safety to strengthening fiscal management and enhancing transparency, I believe we’ve made a lasting impact that benefits the community,” Wall added.
Wall added that some of the key accomplishments he was most proud of included: fiscal responsibility; upgrades to roads, parks and other facilities; increasing public safety staff and achieving first time NJ Police Chiefs Accreditation; and expanding digital services and streamlining municipal operations.
Wall said, “while I’m proud of my time in municipal administration, I’m excited about this next chapter. At Marsh McLennan (a global professional services firm), I will be leveraging my experience in Monmouth, Union, Bergen and Ocean Counties to help schools, universities, municipalities, counties, and all public sector and private entities secure the best possible insurance and risk management solutions.”
“I look forward to helping them navigate complex insurance decisions to protect their employees, assets, and communities,” he added.
No discussion was made of the separation pay Wall would receive and it is up to Mayor Reina to hire Wall’s replacement. The mayor was not present during that council meeting.
Wall told The Jackson Times that this year’s budget “is on track and we are endeavoring to find a CFO. There is a shortage of candidates throughout the state.” He was serving as interim CFO in the absence of a CFO and Deputy CFO.
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