West Amwell Police short one officer

Patrolman John Ennis is on sick leave because of surgery on his knee, the result of an off-duty accident. Meantime, ratification of a new three-year contract for the department is expected soon.

By: Concetta Benuzzi Volpe
   WEST AMWELL — Township police officers are operating under a temporary revamped work schedule in the absence of Patrolman John Ennis, who needs a second surgery on his knee, officials said.
   Meanwhile, work continues on a new three-year pact for the Police Department. Neither side was willing to discuss the contents of the labor agreement, but Lt. Steve Bartzak, who is in charge of the department, said he expected the contract to be resolved in two to three weeks.
   Lt. Bartzak also recently notified the township about Officer Ennis’ medical leave and the need to modify the department’s work schedule during his absence beginning today (June 12). Officer Ennis’ knee surgery, needed because of an off-duty accident last year, is expected to keep him off his feet for approximately four weeks, Lt. Bartzak said.
   Lt. Bartzak said the scheduling change will require minimal overtime expenses and won’t hinder the department’s operations.
   "We’ve experienced departmental injuries twice last year and successfully handled the vacancy through various shift rotations without problems," he said.
   "Realistically, we are a small department and losing one officer is like losing 25 percent of the force. Anytime an officer is out for an extended period of time it places a burden on the department, but it’s nothing we can’t handle or haven’t done before."
   Officer Ennis was injured in an off-duty accident last November. After surgery and physical therapy he returned to work Jan. 25.
   In other township business, some wording issues caused a delay on police contract negotiations, but the officers and the township recently have come to a tentative agreement, which neither side would disclose. However, the committee is at work finalizing the new agreement and has agreed to address the few remaining questions at the next committee meeting slated for June 18.
   Previously, both sides said conflicting schedules on the part of the negotiating parties were the basis for the delay.
   Lt. Bartzak said specific wording issues regarding sick time and buying back sick time in the contract has also caused delays.
   "Contracts were solicited from other departments in order to effect the correct wording, and that took additional time," he said. "There was no question that the wording would be incorporated into the Police Department regulations, but rather the correct wording that should be used. Everyone wanted to be sure the wording was appropriate."
   The department continues to function under its previous contract, which expired Dec. 31. The new contract will be retroactive to that date.