Hightstown Police Director Appointed Interim Borough Administrator

By: Megan Malloy

Hightstown Police Director James LeTellier was appointed interim borough administrator in a 4-2 vote at Monday night’s Borough Council meeting.

LeTellier will be compensated an additional $2,500 a month for his new duties as interim Borough Administrator, a "term" he's expected to serve for 90 days. He will clock 20 hours as Administrator on top of his current 40 hours as Police Director.

The position was vacated last month when former administrator Michael Theokas was fired. Council President Lawrence Quattrone and Councilwoman Susan Bluth voted against the firing of Theokas, and again voted against hiring LeTellier for the interim position.

The position can be renewed as needed. 

“As police commissioner, I got to say, I’m against this because I want my director with me as much as I can,” Quattrone said, adding that his vote against hiring LeTellier was not for personal reasons. 

Bluth agreed with Quattrone and said she does not want LeTellier to have to cut down on his hours as Police Director and devote more time to being administrator. Other Council members disagreed and were supportive of the move. 

“Mr. LeTellier is willing to help the borough out and he already has been at every meeting. He knows the borough, the operations of the personnel -- he is certainly someone that I trust and I think that’s true for much of the community,” Councilwoman Gail Doran said. 

Hightstown Mayor Steve Kirson recused himself from the discussion about LeTellier’s appointment. On May 30, Kirson filed a tort claim against LeTellier and Councilman Robert Thibault claiming that they damaged his reputation through unfair accusations.

The lawsuit was prompted by allegations made by LeTellier that the mayor threatened his job after a disagreement over moving borough operations to the Lucas facility on Mercer Street. LeTellier was concerned over the building’s readiness after Hurricane Irene. Kirson also filed suit against the Borough of Hightstown, which he claims was negligent in its hiring and retention of LeTellier.

Residents who spoke during public comment were not happy with the fighting that has unfolded in the borough over the past few weeks. Many also congratulated LeTellier on his new position. 

“There is another way of operating and it produces better results and I’m looking forward to seeing that again in Hightstown,” resident Scott Caster said.