Devereaux quits

After nine years of service to Manalapan, administrator James Devereaux has resigned from his position.

His last day of work in town hall was Friday. Devereaux will leave Manalapan with a severance package that totals approximately $68,700, or seven-12ths of his annual salary. Devereaux was paid a base salary of $115,561 plus a longevity payment of $2,000.

Mayor Drew Shapiro said Devereaux informed the Township Committee of his decision to resign on May 2.

"The Township Committee has reluctantly accepted his resignation and wishes to acknowledge his dedicated service to Manalapan over the last nine years," Shapiro said. "By all accounts Mr. Devereaux is a very hard worker and an able administrator. He has made very significant contributions to the township’s very stable tax rate, innovations that have saved the township millions of dollars, and the acquisition and preservation of farmland and open space. We wish him the best of luck in all of his future endeavors."

"Manalapan is a better place because Jim Devereaux has served there for nine years as township administrator," said Township Attorney Donald M. Lomurro.

For one year, August 2001 to August 2002, Devereaux served in two positions — as Manalapan’s administrator and also as the township’s chief financial officer. Devereaux held the CFO position until Aug. 26, when Phil Del Turco, who had been serving as the business administrator in Hightstown, Mercer County, was hired as Manalapan’s CFO.

Municipal officials said Devereaux will receive a severance package of three months pay for his position as administrator. That sum is the same that he would have received had he been terminated from the position. Devereaux had a separate contract for his position as CFO. He will receive an additional two months pay for his post as CFO as part of an earlier agreement.

He had six weeks of accumulated vacation and personal time, to which he was entitled to receive compensation. During the period Devereaux held both jobs he did not take any vacation time and was entitled to be compensated for that period of time as well. Additionally, he did not take any vacation time during the first five months of this year and will receive an additional two weeks pay for that period.

Devereaux could not be reached for comment.

It was expected that the committee would meet in emergency session on May 5 to discuss naming an interim administrator and any other items relating to that matter.