Mayor Appoints New Environmental Services Director

Mayor Dawn Zimmer announced on Monday afternoon that she has appointed a new environmental services director. A statement from the city announced that Jennifer Wenson Maier, who held the job until last week, "will no longer serve as Director of Environmental Services."

When asked whether Maier quit on her own or was asked to leave, Spokesman Juan Melli said he doesn't comment on personnel matters. City directors are hired by the mayor, with the approval of the city council.

, who was appointed by Zimmer in January 2010, could not immediately be reached by phone on Monday afternoon.

Zimmer said that the city will be looking for a new director starting this week.

"Effective today she's not serving as a city director any longer," Zimmer said about Maier. As of July 5, Maier will officially no longer be working for the city, Zimmer added.

Meanwhile, a new interim director has been appointed: Tom Atkins, former township manager in Scotch Plains. Atkins left Scotch Plains in 2008 after working there for more than 25 years. 

Atkins will start his duties on Tuesday, the mayor announced. A phone call to Atkins was not immediately returned on Monday afternoon.

"A full review of the Department of Environmental Services will be conducted to ensure efficient and cost-effective services are delivered to residents," Zimmer said in the release. The department recently moved its offices out of City Hall and into the downtown Municipal Garage.

Maier is the second city director to leave in roughly two months. In early April, former public safety director , after it became public that he had met with FBI Informant Solomon Dwek twice.

The mayor also said that the City Council will be offered the opportunity to be briefed in closed session about Maier, during Wednesday's council meeting.