HILLSDALE—Former town business administrator Christopher Tietjen, who resigned in January 2022 after serving nearly two years to take a similar position in Wayne, has decided not to take the temporary Chief Municipal Finance Officer (CMFO) position despite Borough Council approval at the Feb. 14 meeting.
The news of Tietjen’s decision reached Pascack Press late on Feb. 16, after press time. We’d reported on page 1 that Tietjen was taking the job. (“More shakeup in Hillsdale.”)
Tietjen will still continue to serve as the borough’s qualified purchasing agent, at a monthly stipend of $1,000. Mayor John Ruocco said a Pascack Press article that cited Tietjen’s monthly QPA stipend as $500 was incorrect though the resolution hiring Tietjen authorized only a $500 monthly stipend. It was unclear when his stipend was increased, although Ruocco said the borough clerk told him that it was increased by the administrator in May 2022.
Councilwoman Abby Lundy said that Tietjen told Borough Council officials he had had “a change of heart” and would not be taking the interim position despite previously agreeing to serve as a temporary CMFO. She said the borough has posted the position on the State League of Municipalities website and started a search.
“We’ll see how that goes and what we do in the interim,” Lundy told Pascack Press.
“After Tuesday’s meeting and the discussion that ensued, he decided not to accept this temporary position and will remain only QPA,” Lundy told us.
Ruocco — who also has announced he’s not seeking his party’s nomination for a third term, largely over frustration to do with restrictions set for him by the council majority — told Pascack Press he learned that Tietjen would not be taking the position in late afternoon on Feb. 16. He said he would be discussing legal details with the borough’s labor attorney on Feb. 17.
Efforts to reach Tietjen were not returned by press time. It was unclear whether he submitted an official letter or email declining the position, despite a public records request.