The nominee is in! At the Council meeting on Monday, July 9, Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh will recommend Marlena Schmid for the position of West Windsor Township business administrator.
If approved, Schmid would succeed business administrator Robert Hary, whose retirement became official on July 1.
The nomination will be pending approval from Council at the meeting. Mayor Hsueh says that if Schmid is approved, she will begin work in the new position the next day.
Council Vice President Linda Geevers was enthused by the nomination, saying Schmid’s experience and education make her an excellent fit for the position.
Schmid worked as the township administrator in Cranford for 12 years, starting in October of 1999. Last September, she was placed on a two-week administrative leave by Cranford Township officials, but she did not return to her position.
At the time, Schmid’s attorney, Cranford resident Frank Capece, told the Cranford Patch website that Schmid left her position “in good standing” as he cited an “amicable” separation agreement. Earlier in 2011, Schmid had taken on dual responsibilities with Cranford when she was named the interim CFO as the township underwent a number of personnel changes.
Schmid was succeeded as township administrator by a 35-year veteran of the Cranford Police Department, Police Chief Eric Mason, in what some West Windsor officials believe was a case of political upheaval in Cranford.
Earlier in her career, Schmid worked for Princeton Borough as an assistant administrator. Mayor Hsueh checked her references from that position with Princeton’s current business administrator, Robert W. Bruschi, who worked with Schmid. Hsueh also discussed her credentials with former Princeton mayor Marvin R. Reed. A full background check was also part of the hiring process.
Schmid holds a bachelor’s degree from American University and a master’s degree in public administration from the George Washington University.
Geevers says Schmid is an ideal choice because of her professional certifications. In addition to being a certified and registered chief financial officer, Schmid was one of the first licensed purchasing agents in the state, certified by the Department of Community Affairs.
“She will bring us another set of eyes to carefully look over the town’s finances. But most of all, I think that she will really be able to communicate well with council,” Geevers said.
Geevers served on the selection committee for the new business administrator along with School Board President Hemant Marathe, Planning Board Chairman Marvin Gardner, Andy Lupo of the West Windsor Parking Authority, and Hsueh.
Schmid would become the fifth business administrator to serve West Windsor since 2000 and the fourth during Mayor Hsueh’s tenure. Frank Cox was the interim business administrator until May 31, 2001. Barbara Evans, a former township clerk, served as the business administrator from 2001 to January 31, 2004, when she retired. Chris Marion took over as business administrator in 2004 and served for five years before resigning in 2009. Robert Hary, head of West Windsor’s health department since 1989, then took over as the interim administrator and was appointed to the position full-time on September 1, 2009.
Hary describes Schmid as a “numbers person with an incredible work ethic.”
West Windsor Police Chief Joe Pica is filling in as business administrator between July 1 and July 9. Hsueh says in the meantime, he will be available to cover duties handled by a business administrator, particularly interaction with the public.
