CRANFORD — After several months of hunting for the right candidate, Mayor Brian Andrews announced Monday night that Cranford Township has found a new business administrator.

Lavona Patterson, the township’s longtime Chief Financial Officer, has been selected to fill the position. Mayor Andrews explained the township had hired an outside firm to find potential candidates. Ms. Patterson was chosen from a pool of applicants after several rounds of interviews.

When Ms. Patterson first joined the team 10 years ago, Mayor Andrews said, the township’s finances were “not in the best shape,” but she will be leaving the department “on really secure footing.” Mayor Andrews also said Ms. Patterson made it possible to purchase a new fire truck that the township desperately needed. Commissioner Terrance Curran said Ms. Patterson had already taught him a lot and was “sure she will follow her legacy as CFO” as the township’s new administrator.

Ms. Patterson said she appreciated the township committee for choosing her and she felt honored. She also said she looked forward to serving in her new role and thanked Police Chief Ryan Greco for his service as interim administrator.

Chief Greco was absent from Monday night’s proceedings, but all commissioners and professional staff thanked him for his service. Mayor Andrews said Chief Greco has been a “steady hand” for the township while serving as police chief and township administrator for, “four plus months.”

In other township business, Mr. Curran announced Monday that this summer’s pool schedule would be changing due to a lack of lifeguards. The new hours will be weekdays from noon to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.