Saddle Brook Eliminates Health Benefits for Elected, Appointed Officials
On Thursday, council passed amended versions of two ordinances proposed by a group of residents that ban benefits for elected officials and part-time or appointed township professionals.
Saddle Brook township council voted Thursday to end a decades-old practice that entitled elected officials and part-time or appointed township professionals to receive health benefits.
The vote was prompted by a group of residents who for months have hotly contested the council's right to take benefits and whose successful petition opposing health benefit entitlements forced the governing body to either put the issue up for a binding public vote in November or enact legislation to end benefits itself.
Council went the latter route -- choosing to adopt two ordinances proposed by the resident group that sought to eliminate benefits for elected and appointed officials, and lifetime benefits for elected and appointed officials who had served the township for 20-plus years -- but not before making slight amendments to the group's ordinances.
The amended ordinances, unanimously approved by council, specified that the law applied only to officials hired or elected after Jan. 1, 2011, meaning that all of the current council members would be grandfathered in and not required to give up their benefits.
The move angered resident petitioners who felt council members amended the ordinances to intentionally avert the public's will and retain benefits for themselves.
"Every single one of you up there proved to the entire township tonight you were up there for nothing more than the benefits," said resident Sylvia Zottarelli, who threatened to petition for a recall of council members.
Councilman Andrew Cimiluca, who presided over Thursday's meeting in the absence of Council President Anthony Halko, defended the amendments, saying they accomplished two important points.
"It heard the people that said they were not happy with the council getting benefits, and we understand that," Cimiluca said. "But also, in fairness, it did not take away benefits that were provided in the past and may have led to litigation."
Approving the original petitoned ordinances would have invited litigation, explained Raymond Wiss, the township's special labor counsel, because they did not specify an effective date after which benefits would be eliminated.
"There are individuals who have already met the length of service requirements for being eligible for [lifetime] benefits and who are receiving those benefits," he said. "So right now we have a class of individuals who may well be deemed vested, in that they are receiving those benefits, who would be divested unless there was an effective date in the ordinance."
Wiss also said the township's lack of an ordinance on the books that entitled council members to health benefits did not pose a legal problem, as some residents have vehemently argued.
"As a matter of best practice, yes, we all wish it were in writing," he said. "As a matter of whether it is legal or not, the absence of an ordinance or written policy does not render the payment of benefits to be illegal."
Wiss concluded that the council's amendments were both appropriate and permissible because they proved consistent with the historic practice of the township and removed the possibility that any contractual or vested rights litigation might be provoked.
"I think we’ve got a balance between the sentiment expressed in the petition and the protection of legal rights," he said.
Larry Ratajczak, one of the leaders of the original petition effort, said he'd be starting another petition to recall the mayor and council members.
"What other recourse do we have?" he said. "That’s the only way we’re going to fight city hall. We're trying, but they always find a way to wiggle out."
Ratajczak added, however, that he would have no objection to the mayor and council members receiving benefits if the rest of the town were operating smoothly.
"If there were no money issues or no financial issues and we had plenty of cops and everything else in town, you know what, give the Cub Scouts benefits," Ratajczak said. "But when we’ve got two [cops] on at night, houses getting robbed at 8 o’clock at night, we’ve got problems. Where do I want my money --on the street or behind the desk inside there? I want it on the street."
Between health benefits -- which Cimiluca said four council members take -- and the annual $4,750 council stipends -- which he said all five council members take -- the township will pay out $111,750 to its elected officials this year.
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lance guinta
9:01 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Fair Lawn should do the same!
Ron B
9:11 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Not only Fair Lawn, but Chris Chrispy should sign a law BANNING part-time politicians and employees from any pension or health benefits. He won't do this because these are his pals!
Go Figure
11:54 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Lance, I 2nd the motion. They keep saying how we need to save money and cut spending and this seems like an easy one. Selfishness always trumps intelligence.
PADDY WAGON
2:00 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
Since council members have been getting "bennys" since Harry S Truman was president Ratajczak, one of the leaders must have a vendetta against one of the council members. Those council members grandfathered themselves and rightly so. The benefits will eventually go away some faster then others as they lose elections. To me a fair compromise and really , life is all about compromise. With in a few years the benefits will be forever gone
Thomas Paine
9:19 pm on Saturday, September 1, 2012
Grandfathered in? Thus is as bad as the double dippers who "serve" on town councils and sate legislature. Once their term is up, it's up. If they don't like the new policy, they don't have to run.
Goodfella
7:12 pm on Saturday, September 1, 2012
SADDLE BROOK AND LOCAL POLITICIANS AT THEIR FINEST. ALWAYS HAVE THEIR HANDS IN THE COOKIE JAR.........WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE OLD ADAGE TO SERVE MY COMMUNITY? NOT JUST SERVE YOURSELF.........
Goodfella
7:19 pm on Saturday, September 1, 2012
Here is a suggestion stop worrying about your benefits and GET THE TAX BILLS OUT ON SCHEDULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Janice
2:20 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
In Fair Lawn, Mayor Baratta & Deputy Mayor Cosgrove take neither a salary nor benefits. According to FL patch, the others take over $60k in salary and benefits (combined).
BellairBerdan
7:40 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Mayor Baratta probably isn't the best example to use since her politically appointed county job entitles her to benefits that are not only paid for by the people of Fair Lawn, but also by the people of Saddle Brook and every other taxpayer in Bergen County.
Go Figure
8:19 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Yes BB...and the difference is that she is working a job. The part time politicians are not employees and that is a MAJOR DIFFERENCE! As an employee she is entitled to it. Politicians should not be draining towns of valuable tax dollars to cover their healthcare.
BellairBerdan
8:27 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Is the dollar different depending on which pocket of your pants it comes out of?
Brent Pohlman
8:53 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
It looks like the fair lawn democratic anonymous posters do not believe that public employees should be offered medical insurance, while I certinatly agree that part time council members should not recieve medical coverage or stipends I absolutely disagree with the anonymous democratic posters who want to take away medical insurance from public employees. Our police, DPW employees and teachers should be offered medical insurance as part of their compensation package, and just like the private sector our hard working public sector employees should contribute to the cost of that coverage.
BellairBerdan
9:19 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Is that what the voices in your head told you I said Brent?
Michael Agosta
9:19 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Trawinski ("Republican") collects $175k at his county job PLUS a medical stipend from Fair Lawn. 'Disgrace' is the only word that comes to mind.
Glad to see the vice chairman of the Fair Lawn Planning Board try to make logic of Trawinski's stipend and atack the Democrats.
Brent Pohlman
9:24 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
No, BB it is what you wrote just a few lines up.
BellairBerdan
9:30 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Really? Then you truly have a comprehension problem as well as your usual paranoia.
Brent Pohlman
9:28 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Mike, which part of my statement that part time council members should not receive medical insurance and stipends did you not understand. But hay if your "new" republican organization supports councilwoman swains refusal to give up her medical insurance I'm sure you are going to attract a lot of people.
Brent Pohlman
9:39 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
BB, you can't walk this one back. If I am wrong I can be wrong but I don't see any other way to interpret the fair lawn dems attacks on a public employee receiving medical insurance as part of a compensation package.
BellairBerdan
9:41 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
That reminds me Brent, you never did explain your comment about Swain's upbringing. would you do that please? This will be the third time I asked you.
But really Brent, isn't it about time someone in your club calls you and tells you to stop making a fool of yourself?
Brent Pohlman
9:55 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
What reminds you of that, or Is that just a line you used to distract from what your critisicm of public employees receiving health benefits. Now as far as "making a fool of myself" well if you as the anomyous voice for the dems thought that you would encourage me to keep posting, but instead you respond to everything I say because you know I am write. That same logic is why I am thankful you and your friends at the BCDO keep writing bc you continually demonstrate why you are the party of baseless personal attacks, and If you weren't ashamed of your comments you would attach your name. Now certinatly some people have a reason for being anomyous but the only reason a political operative like yourself does so is bc you don't want your comments attached to your name.
BellairBerdan
10:09 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
First off Brent, learn how to spell. I'm embarrassed for you. Second, you know I am just a citizen and have nothing to do with the Democratic Party. A hotshot lawyer like you should know not to make false accusations, but maybe you're not that good. You're certainly not a good speller. ( and for the record, you responded to me, unless you use the name Janice too) Time number four. Explain your comment you made about Swain's upbringing please.
Brent Pohlman
10:26 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
BB, yeah that auto correct is a son of a gun, I should be more careful. But you seem to have a lot on your mind so please don't stress yourself by being embarrassed for me I'll be ok. It's hard to believe that you don't have anything to do with the dems given your constant support of the dems and your criticism of the r's, and the fact that you push dem talking points but hay if you say so, ill take your word. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I hope everyone has a great labor day.
As far as my criticism of councilwoman swain, everyone else seems to get it but I'm more than happy to say it again. I think she wants to take away the suburban feel of fair lawn in an effort to chase rateables. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I would ask you to explain why you are against hard working public employees receiving medical insurance but since you arent affiliated with fair lawn dems then I guess it doesn't matter.
BellairBerdan
10:29 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Please point out where I said that Brent. Do you know how to copy and paste?
Brent Pohlman
10:40 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
BellairBerdan
8:27 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Is the dollar different depending on which pocket of your pants it comes out of?
BellairBerdan
10:54 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
How does that mean what you accused me of saying, Brent? Are those voices in your head going at it again? Please explain yourself.
Yeah,...and I'm still not clear..how did "I'm sure having a skate park reminds her of her NYC upbringing." turn in to "I think she wants to take away the suburban feel of fair lawn in an effort to chase rateables "? What rateables do you get from a skate park. You're on the zoning board. Explain away. BTW, you do realize the Republicans are in charge now, right? They approved that.
BellairBerdan
11:00 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2012
Oh, and Brent, don't even you feel a little stupid trying to argue that a good Democrat like me wants to take away benefits from employees?