The Newton council approved a three-year contract extension for Town Manager Thomas Russo on Monday night
NEWTON -- Town Manager Thomas Russo is keeping his day job and taxpayer-funded commuting vehicle, but walking away from a political career in Somerset and Morris counties spanning two decades.
"No more politics for me," Russo, who in 2015 slammed President Obama while appearing on a Fox News focus group, said of his decision not to seek re-election to the Bernards Township Committee.
The Newton Town Council approved a three-year contract extension for Russo on Monday night that will keep him on the job through December 2019.
His term on the Bernards counclil expires at year's end.
Under the agreement, Russo -- Newton's town manager since 2008 -- will be paid $159,000 in 2017 and retain use of a town-owned car for his commute from Bernards, located about 37 miles from Newton.
Russo, a Republican, was awarded use of the car during a 2013 contract renegotiation, the year before his successful candidacy in Bernards.
Prior to moving to Bernards, Russo was on the Parsippany council from 1998 to 2005.
Russo said his decision was unrelated to the ongoing controversy surrounding a proposed mosque whose rejection by the Bernards Planning Board resulted, in November, in the federal government filing a lawsuit against the township.
"I have other interests that are non-political," Russo said, citing volunteer work with his church.
Newton Mayor Sandy Diglio, who did not attend the meeting, said afterward that the council had no say in Russo not seeking re-election.
"That was his choice," Diglio said.
In a 4-0 vote, approved Russo's contract extension. No one from the public, or the council, offered any comments prior to the vote.
Councilwoman Helen LeFrois, following the meeting, said, "I'm very excited to have Tom back."
Russo's prior contract would have expired next month.
The five-page contract does not include raises for Russo in 2018 and 2019, but notes that he must receive the highest base salary of any municipal employee in Newton.
Russo is eligible to be paid up to $5,000 annually for accumulated unused sick and vacation time. The total amount he has accumulated was not noted in the contract.
As for his town-provided vehicle, described as a 2013 hybrid, it "shall be utilized as Russo's commuter vehicle and for in-state and primarily work-related purposes, without mileage restrictions," according to his contract.
Newton will continue paying for maintenance, fuel, insurance and registration. The agreement did not detail the estimated cost.
Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.