December 23, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 5 Ramsey At press time, the Borough of Ramsey and Ramsey Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 155 were poised to sign a new PBA contract that covers the five-year period from Jan. 1, 2007 through Dec. 31, 2011 and will require PBA members to contribute toward their medical and dental benefits. Police and borough sources confirmed that the finalization of this agreement was imminent. The new contract includes retroactive four percent salary increases for 2007, 2008, and 2009, a 3.75 percent increase for 2010, and a 3.5 percent increase in 2011. These increases do not apply to PBA members who are first-step patrol officers. Firststep officers will receive an annual increase of $500. A source familiar with the negotiations indicated that a point of contention had been a regulation that will require PBA members to pay into their health benefits packages for the first time. The PBA recently appealed the state arbitrator’s ruling on the contract PBA, council expected to sign new police contract to the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission, but lost that appeal. “The PBA contract is resolved,” Ramsey Mayor Christopher Botta told Villadom TIMES last week. “We’re very pleased the process is completed. The agreement is fair for the PBA and for the taxpayers.” The new contract states that effective Jan. 1, 2010, full-time police employees who receive medical insurance benefits will have the option to choose one of two coverage options under the Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO (preferred provider organizations) plan. The 90/70 plan will require a family to pay $32.50 per pay period in 2010. A parent/ child will pay $20, and a single person will pay $11.25. The 100/80 plan will require PBA members to contribute $137.50 for a family’s health benefits per pay period in 2010, $87.50 for a parent and child, and $47.50 for a single person. Police officers who are hired after Jan. 1, 2010 and request medical and/or dental insurance coverage other than single coverage (for example family or parent and child coverage) will be required to pay half the cost of the premium difference between single coverage and the enhanced coverage. Payment will be in the form of pro rata payroll deductions. “The employer reserves the right, solely at the employer’s option, to change to the New Jersey State Health Benefits Program at any time without renegotiation, or to any other health insurance provider program offering substantially similar benefits to the employee,” the new agreement states. Any employee who has a spouse who is eligible for health insurance benefits will be required to decide whether to opt out of the borough’s health insurance program, and must inform the borough administrator of that decision in writing. Employees who opt out will receive a $2,500 annual opt-out payment. An employee would be permitted to participate in the borough’s health insurance program if that employee’s access to other coverage is lost. That employee would then be required to return the pro rata share (continued on page 27) Schweinfurth Florist Wishes You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 85 HILLSIDE AVENUE, MIDLAND PARK 201-444-4760 • 201-445-1164 Continuing Our Tradition of Quality and Service CUSTOMER N 12-16-09----SchweinfurthHoliday3x--00ads/Schweinfurth IO APPRECIAT 3col x 4” Ester... from Nancy Rev: Janine rev1 HUGE ON SALE! SALE! EVERY ITEM 3 DAYS LEFT! %- Adrian Jewelers Last Minute Shopping Great Selection of Gifts & Wishes %% 30 40 50 OFF Holiday Hours: Mon-Wed 9:30-8 Christmas Eve 9-5 Closed Christmas Day Donate canned and boxed food items and earn extra points. All major credit cards accepted North Jersey Food Bank 637 Wyckoff Ave • Wyckoff, NJ • 201-891-5588 FREE ENGRAVING • FREE LAYAWAY WE BUY GOLD!!!