Mayor Jerry Fried and Township Council announced today that Marc D. Dashield has been named Township Manager, effective February 1, 2010. Dashield succeeds retiring Manager Joseph Hartnett, whose contract was extended to January 31, 2010 to ensure a smooth transition.

Since 2007, Dashield has been City Administrator of Plainfield, New Jersey where he manages all municipal departments in this urban community of 47,000. His achievements include reorganizing that city's downtown revitalization efforts and instituting a master plan that incorporates smart growth, transit-oriented development principles which capitalize on its two train stations.

Dashield also served as the Chief Finance Officer of Franklin Township for three years where he managed a $45 million annual operating budget, along with a $6 million water utility and $2 million open space budgets.

"Marc Dashield brings an impressive skill set to Montclair, with extensive municipal experience in finance, labor relations, human services, city planning, and other areas of government" said Mayor Fried. "Mr. Dashield will be an outstanding Township Manager and I'm eagerly looking forward to collaborating with him to build a truly economically and environmentally sustainable Montclair."

Mayor Fried also commended Hartnett for his hard work and efforts: "The Mayor and Council are grateful to Joe Hartnett for his decisive leadership and contributions over the past six years and we also appreciate his support in assuring continuity and the smooth transition of township management."