By Charley Falkenburg, Staff Writer
The Princeton Council might be considering a pay raise for itself and the mayor, but it looks like other local governing bodies won’t be following suit any time soon as most find their salaries fair and see serving their communities as the true reward.
Recently, the Princeton Council agreed to set aside money in its 2013 proposed municipal budget that could be used to bump the council member salaries up from $7,500 to $10,000. The council president would get a little more at $12,250 and Mayor Liz Lempert would receive a 16 percent hike, bringing her salary to $17,500.
Princeton officials reasoned the raises were necessary to even the playing field for those who are less financially capable, but still want to seek and participate in local office.
However, the decision still has some elected officials from West Windsor, Montgomery and Plainsboro scratching their heads and questioning Princeton’s motives.
”It could have been $0 or $1,000 I’m not here for the money, I’m doing it for the right reason and that’s serving the constituents of West Windsor,” said George Borek, the president of the West Windsor Township Council. “If you’re worried about money, then you’re in it for the wrong reasons.”
Like his colleagues, Mr. Borek earns $4,941 and said that he does not ask for reimbursement when using personal resources, such as his cell phone, for town business. He thought if the Princeton Council wanted a raise, it should be decided by the public via a referendum.
”If the people firmly believe they deserve it, it should be put on the ballot to let the people make the decision,” he added, after dismissing the possibility of exploring raises for his own governing body.
West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh, who earns $17,685, recognized that each governing body is in a different situation, but that in West Windsor’s case, raises for elected officials is not necessary. The salary ranges for increases were eliminated in 2006.
A few years ago, the West Windsor Council had wanted to ante up its salary to attract candidates, but Mayor Hsueh said he had vetoed it.
”I happen to disagree with that philosophy,” said Mayor Hsueh, who estimated he dedicates 60 hours a week doing things related to town business. “This is my commitment and my opportunity to help my community and provide services to the community I love.”
In Plainsboro, Deputy Mayor Neil Lewis and the rest of the Township Committee earn $10,780 and Mayor Peter Cantu gets $15,874. As part of the township’s annual salary adjustments, town officials said the governing body received a 1 percent raise this January.
Mayor Cantu says the Princeton Council thinking is reasonable.
”People shouldn’t have to sacrifice to serve in government,” he said. “No one’s making a lot of money in these positions and there are a lot of expenses associated with it that people don’t realize.”
Deputy Mayor Neil Lewis thinks each governing body is tasked with determining whether a reasonable amount is being offered in terms of their time. However, he didn’t think raising the financial incentive in Princeton would necessarily achieve their goal of getting more participation.
”I don’t know if that’s going to make or break it to someone who is dedicated to the public service side of it,” said Mr. Lewis. “It doesn’t hurt to have people getting something for their time, but I don’t think it’s the driver the commitment to the community is the driver.”
In Montgomery, Committeeman Rich Smith was fine with his annual Township Committee member salary of $3,752. When he was running for office, Mr. Smith recalled not even knowing he was going to get a salary. Rather than being surprised at the Princeton Council’s idea for a raise, he was more surprised at how much they were already receiving.
”If that’s what Princeton wants to do and if they feel they deserve it, let them do it,” said Mr. Smith. “But I can’t see Montgomery ever suggesting we increase our salaries.”
Montgomery Mayor Ed Trzaska, who earns $5,006, confirmed Montgomery would not be seeking raises and thought it was inappropriate for a governing body to raise its own salary. He also thought the salaries assigned to the Princeton Council during the consolidation process were reasonable.
”However, if the Princeton mayor and council truly believe that the pay is too low, any increases should only be effective for future officials, not current ones,” suggested Mayor Trzaska. “This would prevent any appearance of selfishness.”
If the Princeton Council decides to go through with the salary increase, it would need to adopt a salary ordinance, which would probably be sometime after its 2013 budget is adopted. The public hearing and adoption of the budget is to take place in the next few weeks of this month.
