Maplewood’s business administrator to retire

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Joseph Manning, Maplewood Township’s business administrator, announced Nov. 9 that he plans to retire from his position at the end of May 2018. Manning has held the position of township administrator for more than 12 years; he was appointed to the position by the Maplewood Township Committee, beginning work Sept. 12, 2005.

In addition to being the business administrator, Manning is also the township’s qualified purchasing agent, and served briefly as its chief municipal finance officer.

Manning began his career in government in the early 1980s when he worked as an administrative analyst for the city of Newark. In 1986 he received his master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers-Newark.

Manning was also the assistant to the administrator of Hanover Township, assistant administrator of the township of Union, and the administrator of the town of Boonton, Long Hill Township and Middlesex Borough, before taking the position in Maplewood.

A member of the International City Managers Association for more than 10 years, Manning was a member of 2015 Planning Committee for the association’s 2015 Conference in Seattle, Wash. He is also a member of the New Jersey Municipal Management Association and is currently their board’s secretary. He received a “Career Development Award” in 2015 in recognition of his dedication to helping and mentoring men and women entering the profession.

Manning and his husband, Christopher Reggio, live in Maplewood and raised a daughter, now 26, there.

“When we were looking for a place to raise our daughter people told us to look at Maplewood,” Manning said. “I am glad we did. It is a very special place, probably like no other. It is a privilege and an honor to work for the many elected officials and the residents that I have come to know and respect.”