PARSIPPANY — Keith Kazmark has been appointed to serve as Parsippany’s Business Administrator effective October 1 at a salary of $165,000 per year.
In accepting the position, Mr. Kazmark said “I’m looking forward to this new challenge and working with the Governing Body, staff and residents of Parsippany-Troy Hills. We will take the first 45-days to see where we can improve efficiencies, streamline services, and ensure we are operating the township effectively. I look forward to earning the trust and confidence of the entire Governing Body, building relationships and collaboratively moving the Township forward.”
Mayor Michael Soriano said “Keith Kazmark has the experience, education, intelligence, and drive to be an outstanding Business Administrator for Parsippany.”
Kazmark stepped down as the Elmwood Park Business Administrator, Municipal Clerk and Secretary of the Rent Leveling Board on August 31 after twelve years.
He has been serving as the Mayor of Woodland Park since 2011 after serving as council president.
“After I reviewed Mr Kazmark’s resume which is very impressive and having the opportunity to speak with him and discuss what his thoughts and goals are for the Township I was very impressed. I did have some concerns over the starting salary until I was informed that Mr. Kazmark would not be accepting medical benefits, which saves the Township approximately $26,000 in comparison to our current Business Administrator Mrs. Sandman’s salary and benefits costs to the township. Therefore I feel this is a win win for Parsippany In that we get a highly qualified person in Mr. Kazmark and we also save approximately $26,000,” stated Council President Paul Carifi, Jr.
Councilman dePierro voted no and stated “I think the salary is too high for a starting employee.”
“I am very confident in our appointment of Keith Kazmark. In the time I’ve known him, he has been smart, candid and authentic. I am looking forward to working with him as he begins his service to Parsippany,” stated Councilwoman Emily Peterson.
The current business administrator, Ellen Sandman, had previously announced her intention to retire on December 1. She will remain on the town payroll and assistant with the transition.
Sandman was appointed by Former Mayor James Barberio to serve as Parsippany’s Business Administrator on June 16, 2014. Prior to joining Parsippany she was employed at Mendham Borough, where she held the same title for the previous six years, and in Denville for 22 years before that; she also served for five years as Assistant Business Administrator in Jersey City.
Sandman said “I will be retiring as of December 1. I’ve enjoyed my wonderful stay here in Parsippany. As I just said to Jasmine Lim (former Parsippany-Troy Hills Business Administrator) I said, you know, that saying, “When you find something you love, you never work a day in your life. I did, however, paraphrase it and said maybe a couple of days I worked in Parsippany, maybe a good couple of days, but in the end it’s all about people and working together and being, being joyous in what you do.”
