Township Officials Divided Over Salary Ordinance
Committeeman Samuel Cianfarini looks for more analysis before bumping up West Deptford employees' pay.
While the proposed salary ordinance could give some township employees a raise, not everyone thinks it's the best move for West Deptford.
The first reading of the ordinance to fix salary grades for township employees and officials was passed by a 3-2 vote at the Nov. 15 township committee meeting. Committeeman Samuel Cianfarini and Mayor Raymond Chintall voted against the ordinance. Cianfarini cited the current economic conditions for his no vote.
During a later public comment session, a resident inquired about the salary increase township employees could expect from the ordinance. Chintall explained that the ordinance would give a 2 percent increase in salaries. Township Administrator Eric Campo confirmed the increase was the same increase given the prior year.
“Get real, everyone get real,” said the resident, who proposed a 2 percent increase for employees every other year, instead of annually.
Cianfarini explained that while he does not currently agree or disagree with a salary increase, he would like to see a regional analysis of pay grades and where West Deptford ranks in comparison before signing off on the ordinance. After requesting the information, Cianfarini is still awaiting on the report from finance officials. His vote doesn't mean he won't approve pay grade increases, but that he first wants a deeper analysis.
“We want to have the best workforce for the taxpayers' dollars,” said Cianfarini.
With the township’s debt estimated at $163 million, Cianfarini said his concern is to “stop the bleeding” and “bring the fiscal house in order.”
In addition to outlining salary grades, the ordinance also sets guidelines for salary increases in regard to length of service, promotion and reclassification. The ordinance also outlines the township’s sick leave buyback program, which provides employees the opportunity to sell back their unused sick leave to the township for half of cash value at the end of the year.
While pay grades of employees is a new area of concern, the salaries of committee members has been a matter of debate in West Deptford for some time.
On April 5 of this year, the committee voted to cut their own salaries in half, two months after Committeewoman Denice DiCarlo proposed the idea. Chintall acknowledged the salary cuts as a symbolic move by the committee. Prior to the cuts, West Deptford’s governing body was the highest paid in all of Gloucester County.
Currently, the proposed ordinance upholds those pay cuts, by specifying that neither the mayor nor a committee member’s salary can exceed $5,000. Prior to the cuts, township officials received a salary of $9,500, with the mayor’s salary at $11,500.
(To view ordinance in full, click on PDF.)
Duchess
1:37 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
I couldn't agree more with Sam, there are not many people in this ecomony at the moment that are getting pay raises, many are even taking a pay cuts. Why should these WD employees get a pay raise when everyone else is suffering. This town is in severe debt, surely Denise with her CPA (oh I forgot she hasn't got one) could work that one out.
William Libby
9:19 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012
Average increases in the area are between 2.5 and 3.0%. Township employees are getting below the average. Surely Sam with his Masters Degree (oh I forgot he hasn't got one) could work that one out.
government_watchdog
2:18 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
Most employees in other government agencies have not been receiving their annual raises and have also been told to pay more towards their health care premiums. West Deptford should be no exception. It's the sign of the times. By voting NO on the increase, Sam and Ray come off as the bad guys, but to the taxpayers, they are the true fiscal conservatives trying to keep a lid on the township's debt. I'm sorry I can't say the same for Kilpatrick, DiCarlo and Szymborski. People seem to keep forgetting about our debt, It's still there and it's not going away anytime soon.
jacob winestein
10:25 pm on Friday, November 30, 2012
only way to miminize the pay raise is to lay off some employees.
checks and balances.
give pay raises to the ones that deserve it.
I don't know what the 3 stooges were thinking when they voted yes but if it means a tax increase for the residents,they get what they deserve.
people wake up Dicarlo is going to ruin this twon like the previous administration.
how come we don't have any minority on the committee.west deptford never has in the past 30 + years
Tom Stanton
10:53 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012
Aren't women considered a minority?
sandie
5:53 pm on Saturday, December 8, 2012
"how come we don't have any minority on the committee.west deptford never has in the past 30 + years"
Since the positions are elected I guess that's your answer.
ironhead
9:44 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012
funny how sam wants to stop the bleeding yet he opened up a vein and bled off tens of millions of dollars to a big oil co who is rapeing the township over
government_watchdog
12:15 pm on Saturday, December 1, 2012
Ironhead, Do you also find "Funny" that the past administration, "You're People", managed to bleed off many millions of West Deptford taxpayers dollars over a 20 year period?. That would include you also. What's really funny is the fact that your okay with that.
T Matteo
4:00 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012
the question if woman are a minority.I don't think so.
Ever since they wanted equality doesn't consider them minority.
since the 50's look what they accomplished by participating in all kinds of men's clubs atheltic programs and salaries.
the minority are the 47 million people who have their hands out for freebies.
just like America this township is divided so no matter waht there will be no unison involving politics and parties. no one ever makes the right decision to please everyone.
all these whiners and cry babies on here do a lot of commenting but they don't have the balls to seek a position on the committee.
I thank the man up stairs and hard work for providing me with my own business,and especially my employees that stood by me for 27 years GREAT BUNCH OF PEOPLE. Business is booming and look forward to another substancial year in 2013.
I comment on here once a year and to all you disgruntled voters and happy people HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.