TOMS RIVER – Council Democrats criticized when the president of the Toms River Republican Club was hired as executive director of the Municipal Utilities Authority, a move that an authority official said was done totally above board.

Robert DiBiase started at the MUA on Sept. 5 and his contract lasts until Sept. 5, 2021. The former executive director, Stephen Acropolis, is retiring.

“I have 32 years working in utilities” with Verizon, DiBiase said. “I think that puts me in a suitable position in knowing the subterranean plant that criss-crosses Toms River.”

DiBiase is the former head of the Toms River Republican Club. He stepped down when he started this position. The new president is Geri Ambrosio.

The two Democrat Township Council members, Laurie Huryk and Terrance Turnbach, put out a statement condemning this as a patronage job to the tune of $120,000. Acropolis is a Republican as well, but a resident (and former mayor) of Brick.

“The five MUA commissioners who voted in favor of the appointment are all Republican, and were appointed by the Republican majority on the Township Council,” the statement said.

“The residents of Toms River deserve the most qualified candidate for the Executive Director of the Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority, not the most politically connected,” Turnbach said. “People lose faith in municipal government when positions that pay a starting salary of $120,000 are handed out as patronage jobs to local political club leaders.”

The Democrats pointed out that the job preferred applicants to have a C-4 Wastewater Collections System Operator’s License, which DiBiase does not have.

“Although Mr. DiBiase is a well-respected individual with many years of work experience, his qualifications do not align with the business of wastewater management,” Huryk said.

The C-4 designation is preferred, but not necessary, said Carmen Memoli, chairman of the MUA. Currently, there are two full time employees who have C-3 licenses, and are working on getting certified for C-4. The authority used to have a full time person, earning $100,000. Now, they have a consultant doing that work for $1,000 a month.

He also noted that Dibiase will be making $40,000 less than Acropolis. Memoli also said that Dibiase waived health insurance.

The search for a candidate was done according to the letter of the law, said Memoli, who knew that the hiring of this position would be scrutinized. The position was advertised for seven days in July. All four applicants were interviewed. A search committee – made up for two commissioners – made a recommendation to the rest of the board, and the board hired him.

Memoli said that DiBiase’s three decades in utilities, overseeing top commercial clients, made him a strong candidate. Additionally, being active in community groups, and his help with Superstorm Sandy recovery show that he is a hard worker and has his finger on the pulse of the town.