Assistant admin. promoted
By theresa a. boschen
Staff Writer
Christopher R. Marion of Princeton has been promoted from assistant business administrator to business administrator in Marlboro. He replaces Joseph H. Orlando, who left the position to become the chief of labor and employee relations for the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) of the New Jersey judiciary system. Orlando was with Marlboro for nearly seven years.
At its regular meeting July 19, the Township Council unanimously approved Mayor Matthew V. Scannapieco’s request to promote Marion to the position. The appointment takes effect immediately. His contract, to be discussed at the council’s Aug. 9 regular meeting, will coincide with the mayor’s term, which ends in December 2003.
"Mr. Marion demonstrated the ability and personality to do an excellent job as business administrator," the mayor said. "I am confident he has all the knowledge and ability (necessary) to do the job."
Marion has been employed by Marlboro for one year as the assistant business administrator, working alongside Orlando, whose last day with the township was July 13.
Marion’s previous work experience includes a role as management analyst for Lower Merion Township in Pennsylvania for three years and an 18-month stint as assistant to the town manager of Mansfield, Pa. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Delaware, Newark, Del., and currently is working toward a master’s degree in business administration at Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia.
Marion will move up from his $48,000 post as assistant business administrator to take on his new responsibilities preparing and administering the town’s $20 million budget and managing the operations of the government of a municipality in which more than 35,000 people reside.
His new salary has not been determined.
Orlando was being paid $86,000 at the time of his resignation. He came to Marlboro after working for a private law firm.
"I communicated my interest (in the job) when I knew that Joe was leaving," Marion said. "I’m looking forward to all of the challenges and opportunities. I’m looking forward to carrying on a lot of initiatives Joe worked on, and I’m looking forward to working with everybody."
Councilwoman JoAnn Denton said she is confident Marion will be able to handle the position. She said Marion’s experience in Marlboro is especially significant with the ongoing negotiations between township and state officials on the town’s bid to buy the property that formerly housed the Marlboro State Psychiatric Hospital.
"I look forward to working with Mr. Marion," said council President Paul Kovalski Jr. "I trust that we’ll have a progressive open awareness and forum for the community, so that the council and administration can work efficiently together."
In other business July 19, the council unanimously approved the second reading of a resolution that would implement the length of service award program (LOSAP), an incentive to provide a limited pension plan for emergency service volunteers who remain with their organizations, such as the Marlboro First Aid Squad or the Morganville First Aid and Rescue Squad, for a designated period of time and answer a certain number of calls. Officials said they believe the program, which still must be approved by the public as a referendum question in the November election, will help these service groups recruit and retain members.
The council also endorsed state Senate bill 2363, which calls for voluntary contributions to be made for New Jersey open space acquisition by choosing to do so upon filling out one’s state income tax return forms.

