West Amwell to OK 3 percent pay hikes

The Township Committee was scheduled to meet Wednesday, Jan. 15, to vote on proposed increases.

By: Concetta Benuzzi Volpe
   WEST AMWELL — The Township Committee was expected to approve a 3 percent cost-of-living raise for township employees during a meeting that was scheduled to be held last night (Wednesday).
   The committee also was expected to approve various reappointments at the meeting, which was scheduled to begin after The Beacon’s deadline.
   The 3 percent salary increase was introduced by a unanimous vote during the township’s Jan. 1 reorganization meeting. Newly elected Mayor Peter Buchsbaum said the increase tracks what the township believes is happening in the public and private sector at this time.
   Township Clerk Betty Jane Hunt noted 2002 brought municipal employees a 3½ percent pay hike, but this year’s budget workshops did not support as large an increase, limiting the inflation adjustment to 3 percent.
   Municipal Court Administrator Mary Hoagland had no problem with the increase.
   "I’ve been a municipal employee for almost 10 years, and feel I’ve been treated fairly by the township," Ms. Hoagland said.
   A resolution to reappoint this year’s municipal employees also was passed at the reorganization meeting. According to Ms. Hunt, there have been no additions to or deletions from the annual roster.
   Municipal employees selected to serve West Amwell for a one-year term include Lora Olson as deputy clerk at a salary of $15.24 an hour; as assistant treasurer, $15.24 an hour; Board of Health secretary, $2,060 annually; and the non-salaried positions of deputy registrar of vital statistics and purchasing agent.
   Also, Ms. Hunt was reappointed as township clerk for a salary of $43,172 a year. She also serves on the Local Assistance Board, two-year term, $1,147 annually; and the non-salaried positions of assessment search officer, deputy Board of Health secretary, registrar of vital statistics, fair housing officer and affirmative action officer.
   Also, Ms. Hoagland will serve as dog warden at a salary of $4,433 a year; as dog registrar, for $50 per license issued; waste security officer, $11.81 an hour; police-emergency building custodian, $11.81 an hour; court administrator, $31,758 annually; and police matron, $13.52 an hour with a minimum four-hour call-out fee.
   Also, Donna Griffiths will serve as assistant tax collector at a salary of $15.24 an hour; police secretary, $29,994 annually; and police matron, $13.52 an hour with a minimum four-hour call-out fee.
   Also, Catherine Park will serve as tax search officer, at a salary of $4,000 a year; Drake Rizzo, deputy construction, fire and building sub-code official, $26.65 an hour; Sharon Hartpence, construction-zoning officer secretary, $14,622 a year, and deputy court administrator, $9,748 a year plus $13.39 an hour; and State of New Jersey, uniform fire safety official and inspector, $26.65 an hour.
   Also, Pat Masterson will serve on the Local Assistance Board, at a salary of $1,147 annually; Robert Kerr, assistant waste security officer and grounds custodian, $11,81 an hour for both positions; Randy Hoagland, road supervisor, $24.72 an hour; Frank DeFazio, road foreman, $18.80 an hour; and the non-salaried positions held by Randall Phillips as senior citizen coordinator; and Lillian Momper as deputy senior citizen coordinator.
   Also, Jeff Weinstein will serve as public defender, at a salary of $2,066 a year; David Gill, assessment inspection officer, $20,664 a year; and the non-salaried position held by Ken Hart as recycling coordinator.
   Other township business included a resolution for the selection of professional service providers.
   Professional service contracts for 2003 included Philip Faherty III of Hunt and Faherty, township attorney and prosecutor; Charles Case of Withim, Smith and Brown, auditor; Robert Clerico of Van Cleef Engineering, engineer; Edward Geubtner of Mullin and Lonergan Associates, grants consultant; and Andrea Kahn of McManimon & Scotland LLC, bond counsel.
   Also, Richard Conley LLC and Harry Haushalter, special tax attorneys; Joseph B. Wiley III of Sudat Associates, engineering and environmental services; George J. Tyler of Tyler and Carmeli PC, environmental counsel; and Stephanie Tettemer of Tettemer Law Offices, substitute prosecutor.
   These professional service appointments face a vote on final adoption at a public hearing set for Feb. 5.