BARNEGAT – Local officials approved two personnel actions this month, including a recreation department appointment and an addition to the finance office. The new hires are aimed at strengthening municipal operations while drawing on both institutional experience and forward-looking financial planning, according to remarks made by Deputy Mayor Fred Rubenstein during an interview following the meeting.
One of the personnel additions brings a familiar name back into local government. Former longtime Township Committee member Albert “Al” Bille has returned to municipal service in a part-time role within the Recreation Department. Bille was appointed as a part-time assistant to the Recreation Director at an hourly rate of $20.
Rubenstein emphasized that Bille’s return is not a replacement for existing staff, nor does it come with open-ended authority or unlimited hours. Instead, the role is designed to supplement the department’s work and tap into Bille’s long-standing passion for community programming and public engagement.
“If there’s one thing Al Bille has always had a passion for, it’s recreation and community involvement,” Rubenstein said. He described Bille as someone who genuinely enjoys working with residents and helping coordinate programs and events, noting that this enthusiasm earned him the affectionate nickname of “cruise director” among colleagues and friends.
In addition to the recreation hire, the Township Committee approved the appointment of Stephanie Marlin as a full-time Deputy Chief Financial Officer in the Finance Office. Marlin was hired at an annual salary of $85,000, a move Rubenstein described as both timely and strategic.
The decision is tied to an anticipated leadership transition within the finance department. Rubenstein confirmed that the township’s current Chief Financial Officer, whom he described as one of the most capable financial professionals Barnegat has had in decades, plans to retire later this year. With that retirement on the horizon, the township is taking steps now to ensure continuity and stability in its financial operations.
“This is about succession planning,” Rubenstein said. He explained that the CFO role is complex and demanding, involving constant coordination with county and state requirements, budget oversight, and fiscal compliance. Bringing in a deputy at this stage allows for training and knowledge transfer well before the retirement takes effect.
Rubenstein also clarified that the authorization to hire did not obligate the township to act immediately, but in this case, officials moved forward to secure a qualified candidate. “You have it in your back pocket just in case,” he said, referring to the township’s ability to approve positions in advance to avoid disruption. In Marlin’s case, the hire has already been completed, positioning her to begin working alongside the current CFO and gradually assume greater responsibility.
The personnel actions were among several routine staffing resolutions approved by the governing body as part of its broader effort to address the township’s growing administrative demands. Rubenstein noted that Barnegat has expanded significantly over the years, increasing the need for experienced personnel across multiple departments.
“These things don’t happen in a vacuum,” he said. “Growth brings responsibility, and responsibility requires people.”
