New West Orange CFO Will Also Serve as South Orange Consultant, Part-Time CFO

Tempers flared at the South Orange Board of Trustees meeting during

Gross, who served as the Village Administrator and tenured Chief Financial Officer in South Orange, Gross will begin his job in West Orange Oct. 1 but continue to work as a part-time CFO and consultant to South Orange.

The South Orange trustees approved both contracts in a tie-break vote by the Village President. Three trustees voted 'yes,' citing Gross' institutional knowledge. Three voted 'no,' citing, among other concerns, perceived problems with the decision-making process, the cost of the contracts to the taxpayers, and worries about conflicts with work in West Orange.

Though the West Orange contract allows Gross to provide "certain services" to South Orange, it clearly specifies his work must not exceed 10 hours a week or interfere with his job in West Orange.

The West Orange contract notes that the employee "may accept part-time employment, provided there is no Township business which would otherwise require his/her presence or attendance at those specific time and provided further, that a request to do so shall first, be submitted to the Mayor in writing."

Village Attorney Steve Rother said Gross will be expected to participate in three committee meetings and three budget workshops. He said that there are "no time limits" on Gross' responsibilities as South Orange CFO. "No matter how much time, he has to fulfill them," Rother said.

He further added, "The time amount is driven by the chore. To the extent that [his] chores require a presence in Village Hall during business hours, he would have to be here."

According to the newly approved South Orange contracts, Gross will earn $55,000 annually as part-time CFO. He will not receive leave time or insurance, though he will receive a negotiated payment of $15,000 for accrued leave time. His contract extends 27 months, until Dec. 31, 2013. 

The Village may terminate the contract on September 30, 2012, however a buy-out will be required.  The contract will demand that Gross work ten hours a week, though the time he works does not need to be during regular business hours. 

If Gross agrees to sign this contract, he will waive certain benefits included in his previously signed contract, including lifetime health benefits, sick time and paid vacation. 

In addition to South Orange CFO, Gross will provide consulting services to the village. The consulting contract requires Gross to work 10 hours a week for up to six months, with another six months to be added if the Village chooses. Overall, the contract is stated to last from Oct. 1, 2011 to Sept. 30, 2012 and pays $4,500 a month. No other benefits such as pension or health care are provided in the contract.

The contract also has a non-solicitation clause that blocks Gross from soliciting Village employees to follow him to West Orange or any other business entity he may belong to.

"Now that the Board of Trustees have made this offer, I will forward them to the Mayor of West Orange," John Gross told Patch. "If everything is acceptable, then I will accept them."

Gross' has a four-year contract in West Orange with a $130,000 salary. According to the West Orange employment contract, he will serve as a consultant to the township from Sept. 1 to Sept. 30 for $10,000. During this interim, he will work with the current CFO and the township to familiarize himself with his new role.

Reached prior to the vote for comment, West Orange Mayor Robert Parisi said the township was supportive of Gross continuing to work in South Orange, however he wanted to make clear that Gross’ primary job was with West Orange.

 "He's got a contract with us and we're expecting him to fulfill it,” said Parisi.

As per the agreement in the West Orange contract, Gross must now submit the offers by South Orange to Parisi in writing for his approval.

Patch will update this article as more information becomes available.