In what appears to be a massive restructuring of Bayonne’s municipal government, Business Administrator Peter Cresci and City Law Director Jay Coffey have been removed from their positions with the city.
The move comes the first business day after the City Council named Terrance Ruane to fill the seat vacated by Anthony Chiappone.
Coffey and City Clerk Robert Sloan apparently gave legal opinions to the council prior to a May 6 council meeting that kept Mayor Mark Smith from casting the deciding vote for Ruane. After Smith promised to take the matter to court,20City Council President Vincent Lo Re changed his vote, and called for another special meeting on May 9 to allow Ruane to be voted in.
Council Gary LaPelusa, who also voted for a candidate other than Ruane, said he was guided by Coffey’s advice in the matter. LaPelusa, however, said Coffey had previously given the council advice that had also proven unsound.
Although the exact reasons for Cresci’s removal are unclear, he was well-known for his hard-nosed positions regarding city regulations, and had angered many inside government for his strict interpretations of city ordinances.
Joseph Ryan, spokesperson for Mayor Smith, confirmed that both men are leaving.
“The process is still going,” Ryan said.