Updated: Hightstown Names New Police Director
James Le Tellier was appointed as the first civilian head of the Hightstown Police Department, after a 6-0 vote by council.
The Hightstown council unanimously approved the appointment of a Lacey Township police veteran as Highstown's first civilian police director Monday.
James K. Le Tellier, who retired from Lacey's police department in 2005, will start immediately, and his contract runs for three years.
In 2012 and 2013, Le Tellier’s salary will be $75,000, and his contract calls for a 3 percent raise in the third year, according to Borough Administrator Michael Theokas. He is not eligible for pension or health benefits since he is a retired police officer.
In December, the Borough Council approved a $50,000 to $85,000 salary range for the position.
Le Tellier, a Forked River resident, served as a lieutenant and division commander for Lacey's police department over the course of eight years, and has over 25 years of law enforcement experience. He has also worked as an instructor for the New Jersey Regional Policing Institute, the Ocean County Police Academy and as a training coordinator for the Lacey Township Police Department, according to Theokas.
Le Tellier said the first thing he’s going to do is look at the budget and work on it for the year.
Council member Lawrence Quattrone, who serves as the liaison to the police department, said he looks forward to working with Le Tellier and getting him started.
“Whether it was a time for change or not, we made a change,” Quattrone said. “I have high hopes for him.”
Le Tellier holds a master’s degree in administrative science from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Thomas Edison State College. He is also a graduate of the West Point Command and Leadership Program.
“We really anticipate that he’ll make a big difference,” Mayor Steven Kirson said.
In the interim, Hightstown police Sgt. Frank Gendron has been serving as the acting police director after Police Chief James Eufemia retired, effective Sept. 1. The council approved the director position with a 3-2 vote on Aug. 15.
There were more than 50 applications for the civilian police director position, which heads a department of 10 sworn police officers and a police dog.
Vic Monaco
10:40 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
This sounds like the next best thing to consolidation for a tiny borough that refuses to save hundreds of thousands of dollars. An outsider with tons of experience, and the borough doesn't have to worry about a pension or benefits. The council deserves credit on this one even if a three-year contract apparently means consolidation is off the table that long. Then again, I guess the state could step in, especially since Princeton is showing what can and should be done. It will be interesting to see if the new director takes any action against Miller for his violating of Thibault's Constitutional rights.
R.M. Mastriano
11:04 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Consolodation is not the panacea you think it is. While this might be right for the Princetons, I believe that this is not the answer for Hightstown. Before those in council start this costly process, they and every citizen an politicians need to recognize the 500 lb. Gorilla in the room.
When our school system accounts for 60% of our tax dollars, that is a real problem.
We should start thinking about consolodation of our schools systems rather than our towns first. It works every where else its been tried. Millions will be saved be removing redundant and over paid administrators.
Leslie Bianczik
12:18 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Hightstown maintaining its own government, police dept, public works, etc for one square mile makes about as much sense as you or I operating a dairy farm so that we would have cream for our coffee.
Vic Monaco
11:32 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Bottom line: Either consolidation -- schools or town -- saves lots of money.
And it probably would have happened if some folks in Hightstown aren't petrified of Janice Mironov.
Consolidations also destroy fifedoms. And that is why so many local politicians oppose it.
whatever41
9:39 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
She has a choke hold on East Windsor also. She's welcoming Charlie Brown Rest to reopen (which a lot of people are happy about), & claims she welcomes any new business with open arms to create new jobs etc. On the other hand she has put down others who have tried. How's that for being contrary. "Paradise"??? Paradise doesn't like change. I truly feel Mr. Thibault should have some sort of restitution.
Vic Monaco
11:34 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
I'm curious. Why is it "right for the Princetons" and not for One Square Mile of Paradise?
Vic Monaco
11:36 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
And why are you concerned with "overpaid (school) administrators" but not about the MILLIONS of dollars your town spends for police coverage?
John Rebbeck
7:02 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Progress?! isn't that on one of the signs outside of town?
Will this Director be accessible to the taxpayers?
I would love to see a portal / link that would allow US - the citizens - WHO LIVE HEAR - begin to address OUR CONCERNS -
Reasonable
Ashley Peskoe
8:55 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
John - What are your concerns?
Anne Pistacchio Soden
11:21 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
There are a lot of egos involved with the consolidation process. The reason Princeton is doing it is because they are smart. East Windsor is a well run municipality and Mayor Mironov is a smart woman who knows how to get things done! It would save a lot of money all around.
desiree
7:08 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Is he moving to Hightstown?