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 SIX-FIGURE
SALARIES SOAR!
POLICE OFFICER SALARIES
ACCOUNT FOR $3,066,687!
AVERAGE OFFICER
SALARY $87,619, CLERKS AVERAGE $50,000 ANNUALLY!
DEMOCRATS
FACE MONUMENTAL FISCAL CHALLENGES WITH TRANSITION OF POWER!
NORTH
ARLINGTON - In documents secured by NA TODAY,
at least 9 borough employees earn in excess of
$100,000 with 8 being members of the Police Department.
These earnings include employee base pay plus a longevity
increment which is a percentage of the base pay. The longevity
increment varies from as low as 1% to as high as 8%.
Borough
Administrator Robert Landolfi is the highest paid employee
with a base salary of $116,641. Mr. Landolfi receives
a 7% longevity increment which adds an additional $8,164
to Mr. Landolfi's annual compensation or $124,806.
For
example, Police Chief Frank Italiano is the second
highest paid borough employee with a base pay of $115,213.
With Mr. Italiano's longevity increment, his pay increases
to $123,278. Of the 17 highest paid employees, 14 are
police officers. These figures do not include taxpayer
funded health benefits that run anywhere from $8,400 to
as much as $12,000 a year courtesy of North Arlington taxpayers.
The
borough's three police captains earn $113,779, $113,367
and $112,725 respectively. The borough's four police lieutenants
earn $107,624, $103,417, $102,451 and $101,484.
Borough
Tax Collector/Treasurer Anthony "Tony" Blasi, who was
forced out by state officials as Chief Financial Officer
earns $96,074 even with the $3,000 pay cut imposed by
Republicans when the CFO position is valued at $30,000!
Mayor Russ Pitman's inquiries into Mr. Blasi's past practices
as CFO led to his eventual resignation as CFO.
Borough
DPW Supervisor Ronald Rosmell earns $96,035 while
the second highest DPW employee earns less than $60,000.
Laborers average between $50,188 and $55,322. The DPW's
Principal Clerk Typist earns $42,043.
Municipal
Judge George Savino earns $32,000 per year while court's
administrator Joan Bolton is the lowest paid department
head earning $62,870. The Prosecutor is paid $15,000
while court's Violations Clerk earns $39,309. The position
of prosecutor is considered part-time as well as the position
of judge.
The
Police Department is by far the largest department with
the most employees and support staff. The average salary
for a police officer stands at $87,619. The lowest paid
patrolman is $32,261 and that accounts for only 1
officer. Of the borough's 17 patrolman, the highest
paid is $93,104 and average patrolman's salary is
$79,893.
The
borough's nine police sergeants earn between $91,331
and $93,991. Two of the department's Detective Unit
are sergeants while one is a patrolman and another
is a Captain.
The
borough employs a Crime Analyst at an annual salary
of $59,681. In addition, the department employs three
full-time dispatchers ranging from $28,153 to $41,765
annually.
The
Construction Department is headed by Robert Kairys at
a salary of $56,780. The department also has a Senior
Clerk Typist earning $51,162. The position of Principal
Clerk Typist is employed in various departments at a salary
ranging from $42,042 to $51,162. The borough also has
Clerk Typists in various departments earning $36,867 to
$39,302. Principal Clerk Typists earn slightly more ranging
from $42,043 to $43,292.
The
borough also employs various positions such as bus drivers,
crossing guards, part-time dispatchers, sweeper enforcement,
clerical staff and EMT personnel on an hourly basis. The
hourly rate of pay fluctuates from a low of $10.25 per
hour to $16.10 per hour. The Administrator of the borough's
SACC program is paid $26.77 per hour.
Given
the fact that most of these salary guidelines are protected
by collective bargaining agreements as well as civil service
provisions, it will be extremely difficult for the incoming
Democratic majority to undo the current salary structure.
"Democrats
are inheriting generous collective bargaining agreements
compounded with even more generous health & welfare
benefits taxpayers fully fund. The Democrats will need
to evaluate the need of all of these titles, salaries
and positions. It seems there was no bargaining or
taxpayer protection. There was no consideration given
to the homeowner or the borough's ability to pay
these generous compensation plans," said one attorney
currently evaluating the current salary structure.
The
borough currently just slight over 100, full-time employees
who receive health benefits. The members of the borough
council currently receive $8,450 while Mayor Pitman earns
$9,950 for these part-time, elected positions. Council
members serve a three-year term while the Mayor serves
a four-year term of office.Currently, council members
qualify for full-time health benefits free-of-charge.
Mayor Pitman and Councilman Ferriero have turned down
these benefits. Council members Ward and King currently
use these benefits and oppose any reform measures being
proposed by Democrats.Both Pat Roche and Carey Ann Rosenblatt
have indicated they will accept their salaries while turning
down the benefits. The cost savings to the borough will
be at least $25,000.
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