Garwood Council Moves to Eliminate Longevity Pay

UPDATE - Nov. 22, 2011: Because of a discrepancy regarding the minutes when this ordinance was originally introduced, it was not heard at the Nov. 22 council meeting and is scheduled for public hearing at the Dec. 13 meeting.

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The Garwood council directed the borough attorney Tuesday night to draft an ordinance that would eliminate longevity pay. The system rewards employees beginning after five years of service.

Councilmembers discussed several options: the first would be to eliminate the system entirely, the second would discontinue it while exempting current recipients, and the third would be to eliminate it only for new hires. They didn't discuss whether current employees who had not reached five years of service would eventually qualify for the benefit. Ultimately they decided to draft an ordinance that would eliminate the system but would fold the longevity pay into the base salary of the current recipients, ensuring that no employee's income would be reduced.

The pay begins after five years and increases annually. Currently, eight borough employees – four police dispatchers and four office employees – receive the benefit. Borough administrator Christina Ariemma stated that the total amount the borough spends in longevity pay is around $7,000 a year.

Several people in attendance at the meeting were outspoken about the move, including Police Chief Bruce Underhill. "I consider it recognition, and not necessarily reward, for job well done," said Underhill. "These people put in countless hours and are here 24/7. They signed up knowing they were going to get this."

Deborah McCarthy, wife of former mayor Dennis McCarthy, echoed the chief's sentiments, saying, "I hate to use this terminology, but frankly this sucks to try to save money on the backs of eight people in town who deal with people the most and to take away something they were promised."

Liz Mathieu, wife of Councilman Jim Mathieu, said she supports the move, though she sympathizes with those who will lose the benefit, as she experienced a similar reduction in promised bonuses in her career. "Companies and towns alike don't have the money to continue this and the move would allow the borough to award raises for performance," said Mathieu. "We all have to change."

Another resident, Karen McCarrick, pointed to what a small percent of the municipal budget the pay costs. "This is cents per household," she said. "By all means eliminate it going forward, but for these eight employees...How many cents do you want? I'll give it to you."

The ordinance will likely be introduced at the next borough council meeting on Nov. 22.

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