February 25, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Franklin Lakes Borough police petition PERC for arbitration by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 150 has filed a petition with the Public Employment Relations Commission to initiate compulsory interest arbitration to resolve the impasse between the PBA and the borough over a new contract for the members of the police force. The contract does not include the department’s lieutenants, captain, or chief, all of whom are covered by separate agreements. The contract with the PBA expired on Dec. 31, 2008. According to the petition signed on Jan. 3, 2009, there were more than five negotiation sessions with the borough during the final year of the contract. The issues in dispute include the duration of the contract, salary increases, spousal/family medical coverage, personal time, clothing/maintenance allowance, and years of service with the borough for retiree medical coverage, and the inclusion of holiday pay into the base salary. The previous police contract with the borough ran from 2004 through 2008 and a settlement on that contract was reached after the PBA had filed for arbitration earlier in 2004. That contract called for a four percent salary increase in each of the first three years of the contract, and a 3.75 percent increase in the final two years for an average increase of 3.88 percent. The contract before that also ran for five years and expired at the end of 2003. That agreement was also reached without arbitration. It gave the police a 3.5 percent raise over the first three years of the contract, a four percent raise in the fourth year, and a 3.75 percent raise in the fifth year, which was optional if either party was notified within 60 days of the expiration of the contract. Under the terms of the contract that just expired, the salary range for sergeants hired before Jan. 1, 1999 is $109,237 with four to five years of service to $116,660 for those with 18 or more years of service. The salary range for patrol officers is $46,884 in the first year of service and increases to a maximum of $110,799 for those with 18 years of service. The current salary range for sergeants hired after Jan. 1, 1999 is $106,055 in year one to $116,660 for a sergeant with 25 or more years of service. The salary range for police officers at the police academy is $37,787 and $46,884 for a probationary offi- Clara S. Licata, Esq. Family Mediator Mediation is a process that allows you to resolve your family law issues yourself without the expense and pain of litigation. I am a New Jersey Court Approved Mediator with over 40 hours of training in Family Law Cases. Contact me today for a consultation. 55 Harristown Rd., Third Floor Glen Rock, NJ 07452 201-612-1170 cslicata@optonline.net cer in the first year of service to $110,799 for a patrol officer with 25 or more years of service. The contracts for the department’s police chief, captain, and lieutenants will be negotiated after an agreement is reached on the PBA contract. The New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act of 1977 requires negotiations and binding arbitration between fire and police department representatives and their employers because strikes are not permitted by those public employees. Both sides must meet at least 120 days before the current contract expires, and if negotiations reach an impasse, either side can notify PERC, which can invoke fact finding with a recommendation for a settlement, or either party can petition the commission for arbitration. If the two sides in the dispute cannot agree on a final settlement within 10 days, an arbitrator will make a decision in the dispute and determine an agreement using nine criteria set forth in the statute. Those criteria include: the interest and welfa re of the public, the wages and (continued on page 23) ��������������������������������� UPCOMING EVENTS Feb 26: Movie Night 7:30PM Feb 27: Wii Game Night 7:30PM Feb 28: Live Music 8PM Mar 6: (Children 7 and under) Fireplace Story Time 7PM Mar 7: Poetry Corner 7:30PM Mar 8: Local Artist Showcase Future Events • Nutrition 101 • Chiropractic Night • Pilates for you & First Aid • Information Health Events • (Pregnancy 411) The Bradley Method Kids • Junior Painters Night • Fireplace Story Time Ridgewood High Student Night Adult • Henna Painting • Wii Game Night • Movie Night Spring & Summer • Car Enthusiasts Club • Hiking Club/Biking/Book Club • Interior Design • The Art of Floral Arrangement Fair Lawn High Student Night • Henna Painting • Wii Game Night • Movie Night 166 East Ridgewood Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ - 201.389.6156 -www.dolcecafenj.com 2-18-09 kathy/janine DolceCafe3x6(2-18-09) 3 x 6”