Denville Township Business Administrator Steve Ward will retire on Dec. 31, 2026, after 17 years of service to the township, and the Township Council is set to take the first formal step toward a handoff at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m.
The council will introduce Ordinance 24-26, which creates a temporary Deputy Business Administrator position, according to the meeting packet posted on the township’s council agendas and minutes page. The ordinance says the goal is to let Ward bring his successor on board as deputy during December, giving the two a crossover month before the new administrator takes over on Jan. 1, 2027.
The packet does not name the replacement. It refers only to a pending candidate for the job.
Under the ordinance, the deputy post would begin Dec. 1, 2026, and would automatically become null and void after Feb. 14, 2027, unless the council votes to extend it. A companion measure, Ordinance 23-26, amends the township’s salary ordinance for officers and employees not covered by a union contract so the temporary position has its own pay range.
Introduction is a first reading. In New Jersey, an ordinance gets a public hearing before the final vote, and the packet lists Nov. 24 as the planned adoption date for both measures.
The Oct. 20 agenda also includes discussion of a graduated parking fine ordinance and the township’s 2026 Best Practices Inventory, plus a resolution to apply for a state Safe Routes to School grant for sidewalk work on Savage Road and Morris Avenue. It follows recent council business we covered, including a $200,000 change order on the water main project.
Residents who want to reach township offices before the meeting can use our guide to Denville Municipal Building hours and phone numbers.
Featured image: Official Township of Denville seal.
Enjoying our Denville coverage?
Add us as a preferred source and our stories show up higher in your Google results.
Add as a preferred source
