by Davy James, Staff Writer
The Township Council passed an ordinance Tuesday that will give an approximately 3 percent salary increase every year to police officers between the rank of corporal and captain.
The new compensation plan is a four-year contract retroactive to Jan. 1, 2008.
”This is not a good year financially and these were tough negotiations,” said Mayor Frank Gambatese. “All of our unions understood the problem we’re facing and they were willing to give a little so it worked out well.”
While the department has no corporals, the contract still outlines a pay scale for the rank. A corporal will earn $90,571 from Jan. 1, 2008 through July 1, 2008 when the salary increased to $92,382. They will earn $95,893 in 2009; $99,729 in 2010; and $103,519 in 2011.
First-year sergeants will earn $90,771 from Jan. 1 2008 through July 1, 2008 when the pay increased to $92,582. They will earn $96,093 in 2009; $99,929 in 2010; and $103,719 in 2011.
Officers with the rank of sergeant will earn $95,310 from Jan. 1 2008 through July 1, 2008 when the pay increased to $97,211. They will earn $100,898 in 2009; $104,925 in 2010; and $109,905 in 2011.
Officers with the rank of sergeant first class will earn $97,310 from Jan. 1 2008 through July 1, 2008 and $99,211 for the remainder of that year. They will earn 102,898 in 2009; $106,925 in 2010; and $110,905 in 2011.
Officers with the rank of lieutenant will earn $106,068 from Jan. 1 2008 through July 1, 2008 and $108,140 for the remainder of that year. They will earn $112,159 in 2009; $116,548 in 2010; and $120,886 in 2011.
Officers with the rank of captain will earn $116,675 from Jan. 1, 2008 through July 1, 2008 and $118,954 for the remainder of that year. They will earn $123,375 in 2009; $128,203 in 2010; and $132,975 in 2011.
”We would’ve liked to not have had to negotiate this year,” Mayor Gambatese said. “If this contract was up last year we would’ve been in good shape. But people understand that these are hard times.”

