The selection process began last year, according to Councilman John Sasso. The position was advertised, resumes were received and people were interviewed. The matter wasn't concluded by the end of the year, however, and was picked up by the new administration in January. Sasso said that by the time the information was re-reviewed in the new year, it had been so long since the interviews that the council decided to re-advertise the position and even re-interview candidates from the previous year who were still interested. Between the first and second advertisements for the position, there were over 50 resumes submitted.

Sasso said he interviewed about 15 applicants. He said Brennan was chosen in part because of the similarity of the recreation department she had previously worked in to Rutherford's and because of her experience coordinating recreation with other town agencies such as the board of education and the DPW.

Brennan is currently the recreation director for Mountain Lakes, a position she's held part-time since 2000. She has also served two terms on that town's board of education as chairperson for the sports and extracurricular committees.

"She's got a lot of general knowledge of how government and board of education works," said Borough Clerk Mary Kriston. Brennan introduced herself to members of the department on May 1 and is expected to be in at least once more before June to take a tour of the borough's recreational facilities.

The department used to have four employees, three full time and one part time. Gary Bucheister was the superintendent, Lori Rosenbower was the supervisor, Barbara Bennett was the department secretary and Maureen Bigley worked part time as an aide. Since August the borough has only had Bennett and Bigley staffing the department.

"It's extremely overwhelming for just one [full time] person to do," said Sasso. Brennan's job as director will somewhat combine the duties of superintendent and supervisor, according to Kriston. Sasso said there are no plans for the Recreation Department to seek a fourth employee.

Sasso said hiring the new director is all the more important because of the extra duties the department will be taking on throughout the year, now that the borough is no longer hiring Cliff Witmyer's Cliffhanger Productions to organize borough events. Cliffhanger organized events such as the Easter Egg Hunt, the Halloween Parade and the Fourth of July festival.

Bennett also noted that the borough has more sports teams and more participants than in previous years. There are 42 men’s softball teams, 10 more than last year; likewise, over 100 people are participating in track and field, over double last year’s number.

"There was less help here [but] with more participants," said Bennett. "We’ve been lucky we’ve had such great volunteers."

The job will pay $60,800 per year. Rosenbower was making $70,950 when she left. Sasso recommended Brennan for the position and Mayor John Hipp made the appointment on April 29. Council members Joe Sommer, John Sasso, Rose Inguanti and Maura Keyes all voted in favor of Brennan. John Genovesi abstained because he thought the director should be a Rutherford resident due to the level of involvement required. George Fecanin was absent. Brennan is expected to start June 2.