Princeton Public Library to boost contract cleaner’s pay

Two increases in the state minimum wage impacts library budget

By: Courtney Gross
   The increase in the state minimum wage twice in the past two years is affecting small business owners in the Princeton area and their contracts with public agencies.
   The new minimum wage, set at $7.15 an hour, that took effect this month has forced some small business owners to renegotiate their existing contracts, including the Princeton Public Library’s cleaning contractor — Princeton Building Maintenance.
   The company has requested a $400-per-month payment increase to offset the rising wage cost. The revised contract, approved by the library’s board of trustees at its meeting Tuesday, takes effect this month and expires June 2007.
   The wage hike brings the monthly cleaning fee for the library to $5,800, library Director Leslie Burger said, from $5,400. The total contract increase through June is $3,200.
   Ms. Burger recommended the board approve the contract, because of the library’s satisfaction with the contractor’s service. Princeton Building Maintenance also contributed $500 this year to support the Friends of the Princeton Public Library fall benefit, she said.
   Ms. Burger also said there are enough funds to cover the increase in cleaning costs for the remainder of the year.
   "They have met all of our expectations in terms of the quality of cleaning and go the extra mile whenever they are asked to address a specific issue," Ms. Burger stated in a memo to the board.
   Lawrence Feldman, a part-owner of Princeton Building Maintenance, said the minimum wage’s first increase in October 2005 did not hit his business drastically because employees were already receiving $6.15 per hour.
   But Mr. Feldman added, with this year’s increase to $7.15, he has been paying out of his own pocket to cover the additional cost.
   "You want quality service. You want employees that are dependable, that are going to be there next year. You have to pay fairly," Mr. Feldman said. "It comes right out of the profits, unless the client understands and is willing to make up the difference."