City wages to increase 4 percent

The raises are retroactive to Jan. 1.

By: Linda Seida
   LAMBERTVILLE — Most city employees have been awarded 4 percent raises, but a few received higher pay hikes while members of the City Council took no raise at all.
   All salaries will be retroactive to Jan. 1 with the exception of the position of crossing guard, which will take effect Sept. 1.
   "We gave 4 percent raises this year, but didn’t raise taxes so it didn’t have a negative impact on the taxpayers," Mayor David Del Vecchio said.
   The council approved the pay increases April 24 in a salary and wage ordinance.
   A week earlier, officials ratified a police contract that gives an annual 4 percent raise to the city’s 10 full-time officers. The contract runs retroactive from Jan. 1, 2005, to Dec. 31, 2008.
   Members of the council will be compensated with the same pay rate given for the position since 2001. Council President Cynthia Ege and councilmen Frank Kramer, Ron Pittore and Steven Stegman will receive $1,499 each.
   Mayor Del Vecchio, a construction executive with Joseph Jingoli & Son, declined to take a salary.
   "Fortunately I’m able to do this (without taking a salary) so I don’t," he said.
   Mayor Del Vecchio has refused a salary since 1994. He only took a salary for his second year in office in 1993. At that time, the mayor was paid $1,200.
   Two full-time employees and one part-timer received more than 4 percent.
   The city raised Police Director Bruce Cocuzza’s salary 8.6 percent from $63,500 to $69,000. He does not receive health benefits, which are valued between $10,000 and $12,000, according to Mayor Del Vecchio.
   Senior Police Administrative Assistant Sally Lelie will see a 8 percent increase from $32,175 to $34,105. The increase was granted at the request of Mr. Cocuzza, Mayor Del Vecchio said.
   Part-time employee Bambi Kuhl received an 8.3 percent raise. Her salary went from $12,000 to $13,000 as public assistance director.
   Municipal Clerk Lori Buckelew was granted a 4 percent raise, which took her salary from $57,546 to $59,847. She also will be paid a stipend for taking on the additional duty of daily administration of the construction office, as requested by the council. As the department head of health, welfare and housing, Ms. Buckelew will receive an additional $2,376.
   "We wanted a situation where someone was there all the time where people are reporting to," Mayor Del Vecchio said. "It makes it easier for both sides."
   Among the employees who also received raises of 4 percent are Crystal Hartpence, whose salary now will be $23,142 for performing the jobs of police secretary, police custodian and control person; Patricia Ahern, who will receive $34,735 as court administrator; Barbara Halper, who will receive $25,298 as deputy court administrator; and Linda Monteverde, who will receive $41,419 as chief financial officer.
   Tax Collector Bonnie Eick will be paid $36,281. Tax Assessor Richard Carmosino will receive $22,469. In addition, for performing work related to the reassessment of city properties, Mr. Carmosino will receive an additional $5,894.
   Shelley Corrado, who is both the finance assistant and the clerk assistant, will receive $24,534.
   Construction official Allen Rowles will receive $21,476. He will receive an additional $12,937 as the electrical subcode official and fire subcode official. Construction control person Terry Abigail McConnell will receive $25,295.
   Public Works Director Paul Cronce will receive $28.65 per hour. Public Works foreman Lester Myers Jr. will receive $17.91 an hour. Solid waste driver Matthew Burd will receive $18.39 an hour. Public Works operator Robbin Worthington will receive $16.67 an hour plus an additional $500 per year for solid waste work. David Kerr will receive $15.28 per hour as a truck driver and laborer, and Vernon Barlow will receive $16.67 as a truck driver and laborer.
   Library Director Harold Dunn will receive $20 per hour. Children’s librarian Jennifer Sirak will be compensated $15.82 per hour.
   The hourly pay for library assistants is as follows: Lynda Hope, $12.26; Martha Knechel, $10.71; Fran Bardusco, $10.37; Franta Broulik, $9.84; Tekla Hallanan, $9.55; Kathleen McGinnity, Deborah W. Monigan, Marla S. Burns and Betsy S. Palilonis, $8.32; Veerunrat Tangtrakul, $8.07; Alexander P. Palilonis, $8; Thanawan Tangtrakul, $7.54; and Catherine S. Monigan, $7.
   Ms. Hallanan also will receive $6,527 as the Planning Board’s administrative officer and $3,298 as the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s administrative officer.
   Parking Enforcement Officer Marie Collins will receive $14.49 an hour. Crossing guards Sandra Witts and Phyllis Gill will earn $11.61 an hour.
   Animal Control Officer Mary Hoagland will be compensated $4,764. Office clerk Marie Rossiter will receive $14.34 an hour.
   Building inspector Kenneth Rogers will be paid $35 per hour, not to exceed $10,237 per year. Robert Corby will receive $15,142 for his job as the plumbing subcode official, plus an additional $35 per hour as a substitute inspector. Mr. Corboy holds multiple licenses and sometimes fills in for the building, electrical and plumbing inspectors.
   John Barczyk will receive $5,702 as the zoning officer. He also will receive $11,530 as the fire prevention official.
   Part-time electrical inspector Keith Steele will receive $35 per hour, not to exceed $6,000 per year.