By Meredith Crawford, Courier Associate
Editor:
The Town of North Haven finally has a
full-time finance director to replace embattled former director Vincent
Palmeri, who left his position after a scandal that rocked the town in April
2007.
First Selectman
Janet McCarty announced last week that Thomas J. Morrison has been selected to
fill the vacant position.
“Morrison brings
more than 20 years of government and non-profit financial management experience
to North Haven…He has both public sector and
private sector experience. He is a dedicated public servant,” said McCarty.
Morrison’s resume
includes positions as the finance director in Hartford,
director of finance and administration in Plainfield,
New Jersey, and business administrator in Orange, New
Jersey. His areas of experience include debt issuance
and management, risk management, human resource and benefit administration,
urban economic development, and creative revenue enhancement. He has developed
budgets for cities of between 12,000 and 60,000 people.
Morrison said he’s
eager to begin his new position with the town.
“I am very happy to
join the staff of First Selectman Janet McCarty,” he said. “There is great
promise for this administration and North Haven.
I look forward to meeting citizens and providing support for the residents who
are entitled to quality services.”
Morison earned a BA
from Swarthmore College
in political science in 1975, an MBA in accounting and finance from Columbia University in 1977, and passed the New
York CPA exam in 1978. In addition to his work experience, he has also served
on boards of directors for various organizations, including those of homeless
shelters, hospitals, and state commissions. Morrison is treasurer of the Knox Foundation,
a member of the Ambassador Group of Leadership of Greater Hartford, an advisory
board member of the Urban League, and a tier-one member of the Greater Hartford
Art Council.
Palmeri, who was
granted conditional retirement by the Board of Selectmen in early 2008, has
been charged with facilitating and covering up the alleged misuse of town funds
by former director and assistant director of Community Services &
Recreation Joseph and Patricia Ierardi. He also faces charges of larceny and
stealing a firearm, both related to an investigation into the alleged misuse of
town funds.