Michael Theokas Named Hightstown Borough Administrator

Michael Theokas was hired as Borough Administrator after the Hightstown Borough council passed a resolution with a 3-2 vote Tuesday night.

“I’m very excited to go to work tomorrow morning,” Theokas said. “I told council many times that this is a job I wanted and now that it’s here I look forward to it.”

Theokas was . Mayor Steven Kirson appointed him, with consent of council.

“I think he is going to come in tomorrow and have a great understanding of what the issues are,” Kirson said. 

Members of the public have said they do not agree with hiring Theokas because of how outspoken he was about shared emergency services when he served on the Borough Council.

“I cant not see that fitting in with a borough administrator position,” said council member Lynne Woods, referring to Theokas' political stances.

Council member Michael Vanderbeck said Theokas’ beliefs shouldn’t change the way he does his job as Borough Administrator.

“Mike doesn’t have a vote on council or anything to do with Borough operations, sustainability, the future of the Borough, that’s us,” Vanderbeck said.

Council member Isabel McGinty, who ran against Theokas during a past election, echoed Vanderbeck.

“We [McGinty and Theokas] disagree politically on many issues. That does not impact my view on whether Mr. Theokas will be able to perform his job. Instead what I value is how much attention he gave to discussions and to the various issues that were presented on both sides…,” McGinty said, referring to when Theokas sat on the Borough Council. 

Theokas agreed that his personal opinions should not reflect on his job as Borough Administrator.

“There is a very clear distinction between being an elected official and being an employee of the Borough in this capacity and I’m very respectful of that,” Theokas said. “It’s not my job to reflect my opinions into this position. It’s my job to manage the Borough on a day-to-day basis, to the best that I can, with the resources I’m given.”

Theokas’ employment agreement states he will be paid $750 a week through Nov. 30, and $1000 per week thereafter. The Borough will also pay 50 percent of his health benefits.

Council members Michael Vanderbeck, Larry Quattrone and Isabel McGinty voted in favor of hiring Theokas as Borough Administrator, while council members Selena Bibens and Lynne Woods voted against the appointment. 

Skye Gilmartin recused herself from the vote.