MILLTOWN — Borough Business Administrator Richard Rydstrom will now be making $51,500 per year, thanks to a $20,500 raise.
The salary increase was approved during the Nov. 29 Borough Council meeting and will be retroactive to Oct. 2.
"When I was hired last December, I was told that the council’s ultimate goal was to have a full-time administrator on staff," said Rydstrom. "At that time, however, I was only needed for 12 hours a week and paid accordingly."
Rydstrom started at a salary of $31,000.
"Since October of this year, the needs of the borough have required that I work more hours," he said.
On Oct. 2, Rydstrom began working 20 hours a week, split into four days, yet his salary was never adjusted.
"This doesn’t come as any surprise to me. The council members and I have discussed the matter on a number of occasions, and this is their way of compensating me for the extra hours I’ve worked," he said.
In January, borough officials will meet for a reorganization meeting, at which time Democrats will regain control of the council, and Rydstrom’s job could potentially be up for grabs.
Rydstrom, however, does not anticipate that happening.
"It will be their decision to reappoint me," he said. "And I have not been told otherwise at this point."
Prior to working in Milltown, Rydstrom served for seven years as the part-time business administrator in the borough of Helmetta.

