First Day for Interim Environmental Services Director

Following the on Friday afternoon, Mayor Dawn Zimmer appointed an interim director on Monday. Tom Atkins, the former township manager in Scotch Plains, starts his new job on Tuesday.

Atkins worked in Scotch Plains for more than 28 years and retired in 2008.

In a phone interview on Monday afternoon, Atkins said that he is excited to come to Hoboken, but that he is not interested in a permanent position. The length of Atkins' term depends on when the city finds a permanent director.

But, Atkins said, "it'll be interesting." He said he hopes to help the city run the department, give the city an overview of what's happening and "if there are major issues, fix them."

"I'm looking forward to it," Atkins said.

The administration found Atkins through a consulting firm called Jersey Professional Management, a go-between consulting firm that helps municipalities find temporary employees. Atkins said that the city pays Jersey Professional Management and Atkins gets paid through the firm.

The city's current Acting Construction Official Tom Shannon was also retained through Jersey Professional Management, after former Construction Officer Al Arezzo's departure from City Hall.

Atkins said he came in on Friday to have a meeting with Mayor Dawn Zimmer and Business Administrator Arch Liston.

His last job through Jersey Professional Services, Atkins said, was seven months as the acting director of purchasing and procurement for the Passaic County government.

Atkins, who lives in Fanwood, said he will start work on Tuesday and that he will most likely be stationed in the municipal garage where the department of environmental services has been located for a few months.

Atkins said also that he is no stranger to Hoboken. His son used to live in town for multiple years and he spent time visiting him in Hoboken. "It's certainly a compact place," Atkins said about the Square Mile.