New Village Manager Named

Kenneth Gabbert was chosen to assume the role as Village Manager.

Councilman Patrick Mancuso confirmed Gabbert's hiring, and said he would start Nov. 2.

Gabbert recently gave notice to Little Ferry, where he works as the town's administrator, in order to take the Ridgewood position, according to the Little Ferry Borough Clerk's Office.

Gabbert holds a similar position for the southern Bergen County borough. He reports directly to the town's mayor and council, and Gabbert is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Little Ferry. Nearly all departments report directly to him.

He is also the Republican mayor of Upper Saddle River.

Currently, Village Clerk Heather Mailander is serving as acting village manager. She said leaving the manager's job will be "bittersweet."

"I've learned a lot, and it's been a great experience," she said. "It was difficult to juggle two jobs, but I had great back-up in the Clerk's Office."

The Little Ferry Clerk's office did not know the exact timeframe for Gabbert's departure. A message was left for Gabbert, who is currently out of the office.

Gabbert won't officially be hired until he is publicly approved by council at its Oct. 28 work session, Mailander said.