In a move that made logical and practical sense, the North Bergen Board of Commissioners officially promoted Chris Pianese to the role of township administrator, taking over the position that was vacated when Joseph Auriemma officially retired in February.
Auriemma has since been indicted on federal bribery and wire fraud charges and no longer holds any capacity with the township.
The 38-year-old Pianese, who has worked for the township for the last 13 years, served for the last four years as the chief financial officer and assistant township manager. He had been serving as the acting township administrator since Auriemma’s retirement. Pianese will remain as the town’s CFO, as well as taking over the township administrator’s role.
“Chris Pianese is hardworking, experienced and very competent and we are pleased to promote him to this important position,” North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco said.
Pianese received a salary increase of $10,000 to $105,000 annually, which is still less than what Auriemma ($147,000) was making.
The Board of Commissioners also announced the appointment of Robert Pittfield as the town’s new finance director.
Pittfield, 43, had previously served in similar capacities in both Jersey City and Union City. Pittfield will receive an annual salary of $85,000.
Both Pianese and Pittfield are Jersey City natives and worked together in the Jersey City Finance Department in the 1980s. Pittfield was Jersey City’s CFO and Treasurer from 1998 to 2001 under the Bret Schundler administration.
“Chris Pianese and Bob Pittfield have formed a strong new team that will help continue our tradition of excellent fiscal management in North Bergen,” Sacco said. “They will work with our elected officials and other employees to keep our municipal tax rate stable, stimulate new business development and continue delivering local services smoothly and efficiently.”
The mayor also stressed that both men have extensive qualifications and experience. “Chris and Bob are both state certified chief financial officers and have a combined 36 years of solid experience working in Hudson County government,” Sacco said. “They have impeccable reputations and a strong history of working well together as a team.”
Commissioner Hugo Cabrera, who heads the township’s revenue and finance department, pointed out that the township is saving almost $50,000 in annual payroll costs with the appointments.
“To put a highly qualified team like this in place and still reduce costs by nearly $50,000 is very good news for North Bergen taxpayers,” Cabrera said.
Pianese is married and has two young daughters. A graduate of St. Peter’s College, Pianese also earned a Masters in Public Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Pittfield is also married with two children and holds a Bachelors Degree in Finance from New York University.