Commissioner Thomas Evans is head of the Revenue and Finance Department. He grew up in Nutley. He attended Spring Garden Elementary School and at Nutley High School he was the crew team captain and a member of the Octets.

When he married he moved to Belleville for a short time then to Bloomfield and back to Nutley in 1992. He has three children, two are at Georgetown University and one is in fifth grade at Yantacaw School.

Commissioner Evans’ first job was at Friendly’s Ice Cream Shop. He has come a long way since then.

At Fairleigh Dickinson University he was a Business major and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He is a C.P.A. (certified public accountant) and the chief firm officer at Price Water House.

Commissioner Evans was not elected to the commission in the conventional way. The elected Revenue and Finance Director became a judge and could no longer serve as commissioner. Mr. Evans was picked by the other commissioners to take over as Revenue and Finance Director in June of 2003. It was a unanimous decision by the other four commissioners to have Mr. Evans fill this position. He was nervous and honored by this appointment but Commissioner Evans wanted the job because he loves Nutley and wants to give back to the community.

Mrs. Lucille Simonian, our Township Clerk, presides over the town meetings.

 

The Department of Revenue and Finance is made up of many smaller departments. There is the town clerk, treasurer, accounting department, tax assessor, and tax collector. Together they insure the operating budget for each commissioner’s department.

One of the things Mr. Evans has done is figure out a way to make the Retirement Incentive Program work. The Retirement Incentive Program helps people working for the town of Nutley retire with more money.

Commissioner Evans explained to us that the majority of Nutley’s tax money goes to payroll, health insurance, liability insurance, auto insurance, garbage and sewage and equipment purchases. He tries to find ways to get money, cut spending and not to further burden the taxpayers.

When asked about any funny stories he had to share in his short time as commissioner, he responded with a chuckle. Once his identical twin brother sat in his chair in the council chambers and everyone thought that he was Commissioner Evans and started asking him questions.

As Director of Revenue and Finance you need to have a strong background in math, oral and written communication and negotiating. Mr. Evans has these qualifications. Through his achievements of finding ways to save money and looking for grants to bring money into Nutley he helps all the other departments provide more for the citizens of Nutley. He is a remarkable man and his influence on Nutley is a positive one.

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