‘In good standing’

Formal action related to Business Administrator Michael LaPlace’s departure from the municipal staff will occur at the Borough Council’s next meeting on Tuesday. Oct. 14.

LaPlace’s resignation, effective on Dec. 31, will be accepted by the council at that session, according to the agenda posted on the borough website. The related resolution states that LaPlace “has submitted his resignation in good standing.”

LaPlace has not reported to work recently, will continue to be absent from the municipal offices, but remains on the payroll until year’s end, Mayor Jack Mikolajczyk said in a Monday, Oct. 6 interview with Inside – Middlesex.

During the interview, Mikolajczyk insisted LaPlace’s departure is “not performance related,” but part of an administrative “restructuring.” 

That restructuring sees Police Chief Matt Geist now serving as part-time interim administrator and Department of Public Works Supervisor Len Vidal as part-time interim deputy administrator. The council will formally approve both temporary appointments at this week’s meeting.

Geist will also continue in his primary role overseeing the Middlesex Police Department. Vidal will continue to oversee the DPW, as well as assist Geist with overall municipal administration.

LaPlace’s 2025 salary is $159,650. He stands to be paid roughly $40,000 for the last three months of the year, even though he is resigning. 

Geist will receive a stipend prorated at the rate of $40,000 annually for his part-time administrator role and continue to receive his chief’s salary. Vidal will receive a stipend prorated at the rate of $30,000 yearly for his part-time position and continue to be paid his DPW salary.

While Mikolajczyk painted a picture of the borough charting a new administrative course, aspects of that course are apparently still being mapped out.

The governing body desires to reach a new chief’s contract with Geist when his current deal expires next February, the mayor said.

Mikolajczyk called the interim administrator arrangement a “stopgap,” but added: “We might find out this interim thing works fine.” The mayor noted there have been periods in the past when Middlesex has had no borough administrator.

“(Geist)) is just keeping things running,” the mayor added. “There’s other things at play. At the end of the day, it’s going to be good for the town.”

Mikolajczyk said he foresees Geist’s dual role lasting for a period of three to six months. “I trust him enough that if he says this isn’t doable, it isn’t doable,” the mayor said.

LaPlace was absent from both of the council’s September meetings. The first absence on Sept. 9, was for personal reasons and not related to his later departure, Mikolajczyk said. Two evenings later, LaPlace attended the borough’s annual 9-11 memorial service at Victor Crowell Park.

During the second absence on Sept. 23, Mikolajczyk announced that Geist would be handling municipal administrative matters for the foreseeable future. The mayor also cautioned audience members to refrain from asking about LaPlace’s status because no details would be given.

When LaPlace was hired in 2023, his experience included municipal planning director jobs in Annapolis, Md. and Princeton.

Middlesex’s administrative restructuring “is not a dig at Michael,” Mikolajczyk said.

Due to the stipends paid to Geist and Vidal, costs for the administrator’s position will be slightly higher than anticipated in 2025. In a text message on Oct. 10, MIkolajczyk said it will be offset by savings from other positons that were not filled during the year.

The potential exists for financial savings in 2026, as LaPlace’s salary will be off the books and interim administration is being paid at a lesser rate. Mikolajczyk said the interim arrangement is “open-ended” and “can be ended at any time.”

The mayor said he expects, however, that it will still be in place when the new year begins. 

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