Hoboken Finance Director Quits Job

Finance Director Nick Trasente is quitting his job, the mayor's office announced Tuesday morning, to take a position elsewhere. 

Trasente will be the Chief Financial Officer in Middletown Township, N.J., he said in a brief phone interview Tuesday afternoon. 

Although he starts his job next Monday, he said, "I'm going to be available for (Hoboken) as long as they need my help."

About his time working in Hoboken, he said "it's been one of the most challenging experiences of my life."

Trasente, who was absent from the last council meeting because of a medical procedure (he said it went well), will leave on Friday, March 12. In a statement, Mayor Dawn Zimmer said that he will stay on to assist the city in passing a budget for Fiscal Year 2010 on a part-time basis. 

"I'd like to thank Mr. Trasante for helping Hoboken navigate our City through a very difficult period," Zimmer said in the statement. 

Trasente was offered his new position last week and informed the mayor yesterday, he said.

The budget still has to be passed and the finance director plays a crucial role in that process. 

Trasente said that he is most proud of improving the budget process. He said this will help the city when passing the budget in 2011 as well. 

The city is currently searching for a new business administrator. In the short term, the city plans to hire an interim finance director.

Once a new business administrator is retained then the selection of a new finance director will be completed, according to the mayor's office.