Police Chief Mason Steps Down As Interim Township Administrator

The police chief retired from the Interim Administrator job on Dec. 31, after a year and a half holding two positions.

This year, Eric G. Mason is back to wearing just one hat. The one that goes with his Cranford police chief's uniform. Last month ended his tenure as Interim Township Administrator, a role he held from September 2011 to December 2012, while also working fulfilling his police duties. At one point, during that period, Mason was said to be retiring in May from police work, and there was a period of confusion. Reports leaked to the press of a new police chief selection following interviews, which caused waves in the community when it turned out not to be the case. Commissioner Lisa Adubato summed it up in her comments during last week's reorganization meeting. "We've faced many challenges in 2012. Yet, some things don't always go as planned," …

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Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Cranford Can Do Better Than Part-Time Town Officials

This is the town council who felt so strongly that one man, Eric Mason, would be the best township administrator, that they held the position open for one year for him.

To the Editor:  At the November town council meeting we were informed that Chief Eric Mason is resigning from being the acting township administrator and will return being a full time police chief in 2013. This comes after our township committee went through the process of selecting a new police chief for a position that is not vacant. The explanation we were offered was that nobody is happy with the situation and that they cannot discuss because it involves privacy laws governing "personnel issues". There is only one part the decision that is nobody's business, that is Chief Mason's reason behind his decision to remain as police chief. There is a lot more that is involved in how we got where we are today, that is not covered by "personnel…

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Officials Seek Township Administrator To Replace Mason

Police Chief Eric Mason has informed the Township Committee that he plans to resign from his position as the township administrator at the end of this year.

The Township Committee has started its search for a township administrator to replace Police Chief Eric Mason, who has served as an interim administrator since September of 2011. Mason informed the governing body that as of Dec. 31, he will step down from his position as the interim administrator — a position he has held for more than a year — and focus solely on his role as the township's police chief. "At our last meeting, Commissioner (Lisa) Adubato mentioned that as of Dec. 31, he would resume working (solely) in the police department," Mayor David Robinson said, adding that Mason will continue to work with the Township Committee and his replacement administrator as a new employee transitions into the role. Adubato serves as the …

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Chief's Transition To Full-Time Township Admin. Closer To Becoming Reality

The Township Committee will interview candidates tonight and tomorrow to take over Interim Township Administrator/Police Chief Eric Mason's position.

The Township Comittee will spend the next two evenings interviewing candidates for the position of police chief, paving the way for current Chief Eric Mason to take over the duties of township administrator on a full-time basis. Mason has worked as both police chief and interim township administrator since last September, when former administrator Marlena Schmid was placed on involuntary administrative leave. Schmid is no longer employed by the township. According to Schmid's attorney, Cranford resident Frank Capece, the former township administrator worked for the town for 12 years and left her position "in good standing." "We are resuming the search for a police chief," Deputy Mayor Andis Kalnins confirmed late Tuesday after public …

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No Decision Made In Suspension Hearing For Cranford Employee

The disciplinary hearing for Deputy Treasurer Brian Lanza escalated into a debate over the credibility of Township Administrator Eric Mason.

What began as a disciplinary hearing for deputy treasurer Brian Lanza in council chambers Thursday night quickly transformed into a debate over the credibility if Iterim Township Administrator/Police Chief Eric Mason, who served as the only witness during the public hearing. Lanza, a two-year employee of the township who has been suspended with pay since July 6, opted to have his disciplinary hearing conducted in open session during a special meeting of the Township Committee on Aug. 23. A group of more than 20 residents, friends and family members of Lanza showed up for the special meeting. The governing body, however, did not end up voting on the motion to suspend Lanza without pay, as recommended by Mason. Lanza's suspension began …

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