Marc Schrieks
Marc Schrieks (Schrieks) is currently the Borough manager. He had been a Borough councilman, deputy mayor and mayor from 1999 through 2015. In 2012 he was “either” the mayor or deputy mayor, but in either capacity did attend the council and mayor meetings. Schrieks testified that the dual retirement of the Borough’s CFO and budget officer created a “crazy” situation because of their important roles in the Borough’s ability to conduct its financial affairs.
Schrieks testified that he was not personally involved in finding a replacement, and that Luna assumed that role as part of his duties as Borough Manger, and DiMaria because of his experience as auditor and access to a network in several municipalities. Schrieks further testified that the Borough was having difficulty in hiring a CFO and budget officer because of the antiquated accounting the Borough utilized. He further stated that the mayor and council voted to accept Cuccia’s proposal for Treasury Services; they were aware of Biondi’s involvement with Treasury Services, and Luna did not participate in the Borough’s discussions of the same.
Schrieks provided the following testimony:
Q: So did there come a point in time after consideration of the proposals submitted in 2012 that the borough mayor and council passed favorable on those resolutions?
A: There was.
Q: And was that unanimous?
A: I believe it was unanimous.
Q: Did -- did Tony Luna have any personal involvement in submitting those proposals?
A: No.
Q: Did he recuse himself at any time that Sheri Biondi was discussed?
A: Yes, he did.
Q: Did Tony Luna recommend the retention of Charles Cuccia as CPA through Treasury Services?
A: No, he did not.
Q: Now eventually there came a point in time, wasn’t it true, that Charles Cuccia was retained as the CFO; is that correct?
A Correct.
Q: And at that point he became an employee?
A: I believe so, yes.
Q: Did Tony Luna recommend Chuck Cuccia to the
mayor and council?
A: No, he didn’t. The statutory requirements are that that is an appointment of the mayor and council, of the governing body.
Q: Now there came a point in time when Sheri Biondi was appointed as treasurer at the borough; is that correct?
A: Yes.
Q: And at that point she became an employee?
A: Same process, yes.
Q: Okay. Did Tony Luna recommend the appointment of Sheri Biondi?
A: No, he did not.
Q: So who made the appointment of Sheri Biondi?
A: The mayor and council.
Q: Did Tony Luna have any personal involvement in her appointment?
A: No, he would recuse himself or step out of the meeting when we discussed the hiring of Treasury Services or -- CFO or (out of microphone range).
Q: Now you served as -- your capacity of mayor through 2015?
A: Yes, till February 2015.
Q: Okay. So any subsequent proposals to provide financial services by Charles Cuccia as CPA through Treasury Services, through the day of your retirement you would’ve been involved in as mayor and -- as part of mayor and council?
A: Yes, yes.
