New admin, CFO in Mendham Twp.

Mendham Township filled two key vacancies this week with the addition of a new administrator and chef financial offer.

Deobrah Bonanno, former principal technical assistant and assistant treasurer in Mount Olive, took over Monday as the township administrator, while Karen M. Fornaro, former principal account clerk for Dover, assumed her CFO duties on the same day.

Both hires were confirmed through resolution by unanimous votes from the township committee on Dec. 7.

“The township committee is delighted that these two highly qualified individuals will be joining the township administration and will be applying their considerable management, financial and people skills to our local government,” Mayor Chris Baumann wrote in a statement announcing the hires. “They are coming to Mendham Township after a thorough and thoughtful search process, and they are as pleased to be a part of our community as we and our residents are happy to have them here."

According to the mayor's statement, Bonanno’s background includes experience in management, business administration, accounting, budgeting, financial analysis and team-building. She began her career with Deloitte Touche in Cleveland and held positions of increasing responsibility with several Midwestern corporations before taking the job in Mount Olive in 2008.

Fornaro, whose background is in marketing and network development, was hired by Dover in 2012 after an eight-year career with First Managed Care Option in Parsippany, where she created substantial business relationships with New Jersey municipalities and school boards. With a political science degree from Youngstown University, her background also includes municipal financial management, project management and financial, budget and debt analysis.

“The fact that both of these individuals have a strong financial background is a plus for Mendham Township, which enjoys a triple-A bond rating and plans to keep it that way,” Baumann wrote. “As an added bonus, during the search process, the township committee was impressed with their mutual commitment to team building and customer service, two very important qualities for the residents of Mendham Township."

Bonanno replaces Amey Upchurch, who resigned abruptly on July 16, a few days before Mendham Township Police Chief Steven Crawford filed a notice of intent to file a sexual harassment lawsuit, naming Upchurch as a defendant. That lawsuit also alleged that committee members Samuel Tolley, Maribeth Thomas and former committee member Richard Merkt (now serving as administrator in Mendham borough) retaliated against him for publicly defending the police force against driver profiling allegations.

Fornaro replaces former township tax assessor and CFO Terris Garbarini, who resigned on July 17.

According to the resolutions, Bonanno will receive an annual salary of $84,000 plus benefits, while Fornaro will earn $75,000 plus benefits.

Staff Writer William Westhoven: 973-917-9242; wwesthoven@GannettNJ.com.