MIDDLETOWN — The man who wields the township’s checkbook has resigned to take a job with Somerset County.<br /><br />Middletown Chief Financial Officer Nick Trasente’s last day was Friday.<br /><br />Middletown Mayor Gerry Scharfenberger said he was sad to see Trasente leave, but that the head of the township’s finance department left Middletown “in good working order.”<br /><br />“Nick was fantastic. He did a tremendous job for us,” he said. “This was an opportunity that was better suited for him.”<br /><br />Trasente could not be reached for comment.<br /><br />Middletown already has advertised the position and has started receiving resumes, Scharfenberger said.<br /><br />Trasente agreed to serve as Middletown’s interim CFO until Jan. 31 while the township searches for his replacement, according to a resolution the Township Committee is expected to approve Monday night. Under that arrangement, Trasente will make $80 per hour for up to 10 hours per week.<br /><br />He earned $142,858 a year as CFO, a post he has held since March 2010. He had no sick and vacation leave balance, according to the township clerk’s office.