Former Council Member Named as Potential Business Administrator Candidate

The council signaled Monday it would appoint former council member Michael Theokas as Borough Administrator, while some residents said the town should give more time to review the move.

The council said they will vote next meeting on the appointment, and the majority of council has said they plan to vote in favor of Theokas.

The three residents that spoke during the public comment section were against the appointment and said not enough notice was given to the public, especially in light of the current emergency situation in the Borough.

“I am outraged beyond words that this group, under these circumstances, would come forward and basically say we need an administrator.” J. P. Gibbons said during the public comments portion of the meeting, also expressing Theokas is not qualified for the position. “I thank you very much for taking the trust I have given you people and sticking it down my throat.”

Council member Isabel McGinty had said she supports Theokas because he has always brought different ideas and perspectives to the table, and noted several boards he had sat on.

"As for the issue about the qualifications, are there qualifications? Yes there are. They're stated in our Borough code and they're also, we have a printed document that sets forth what it is we look for in a Borough Administrator," said McGinty during the last comments at the end of the evening. "I do have confidence that Mr. Theokas can fill it."

The council said they are bringing this to light now because of the emergency in the town.

“As council president I strongly recommend that we go with this. We need an administrator,” said Lawrence Quattrone, borough council president. “I can’t do it all, I’m sure the mayor can’t do it all.”