Spring Lake Heights Searching for New Borough Clerk— Again

The borough clerk's job is up for grabs again.

Less than three months after starting work at town hall, Richard Kachman has resigned as borough clerk to move up the coastline to the same position in Sea Bright.

Kachman's resignation was effective June 24. Deputy Clerk Janine Gillis, who performed Kachman's job for the first three months of the year, will assume the duties of borough clerk until a replacement is hired.

Hired effective April 4, Kachman's was to earn $50,000 annually plus benefits and pension.

Speaking to Patch after Monday night's council meeting, Kachman said he had applied for the post in Sea Bright, where the clerk is retiring, as well as the one in Spring Lake Heights during the course of his job search.

Because Spring Lake Heights offered him a job first, he accepted it--not realizing the Sea Bright opening would come to fruition.

Before the council voted to promote Gillis temporarily, Kachman addressed the council about investing in professional development for employees now in town hall. He suggested that the town pick up the tab for training that would allow Gillis to earn credentials for a full municipal clerk's job.

"I would recommend her to be a full certified municipal clerk," Kachman read from a prepared statement.

The borough will advertise in local newspapers to hire a permanent candidate according to Councilwoman Sara King, who heads the council's personnel committee. Borough documents show that the position pays $40,000 to $70,900 annually depending on a candidate's level of experience.

Kachman thanked the borough for giving him the opportunity to serve the town. Before coming to Spring Lake Heights, the Howell resident had worked as municipal clerk in Pemberton, Burlington County for ten years.

Gillis last stepped into the borough clerk's shoes on Jan. 1 after the council chose not to re-hire its longtime clerk who had been earning $90,000.