Villadom Times Weekly Newpaper Online-January 13, 2010 Issue

Franklin Lakes January 13, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Borough reaches accord with police lieutenants by Frank J. McMahon The Borough of Franklin Lakes and New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local #150 (Lieutenants) have reached a new collective bargaining agreement that will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2009 and will extend through Dec. 31, 2011. The agreement, which was approved by the borough council at its last meeting in December, authorized Mayor Maura DeNicola to execute the accord on behalf of the borough. The new agreement modifies certain articles and provisions of the existing collective bargaining agreement, which expired on Dec. 31, 2008. Under the terms of the agreement, the borough’s police lieutenants will receive a retroactive 2.75 percent salary increase for 2009. They will receive a 3.5 percent increase in salary for 2010, and a 3.9 percent salary increase for 2011. The retroactive compensation for 2009 will be paid no later than 60 days after the memorandum of agreement is ratified by both parties to the agreement. Although now a moot point, the borough agreed that there would be no budgetary layoffs or furloughs during 2009 and, if there were any layoffs or furloughs, both parties agreed to reopen this agreement on the issue of salary only. The agreement includes some modifications to the health, dental, and life insurance coverage for the lieutenants, and to the personal days to which they will be entitled. The agreement stipulates that the lieutenants will contribute $25 per pay period toward the monthly insurance rate effective Jan. 1, 2010 and $40 per pay period effective on Jan. 1, 2011. Those contributions will cease, however, on the effective date of a lieutenant’s retirement. The borough agreed to provide fully paid medical, dental, prescription, and family coverage at the time of retirement for all lieutenants at the same level of benefits they received at the time of retirement. The agreement grants the borough the ability to change the medical plan during the contract period to an equal or better plan, however, but the borough must provide 45 days notice of any intent to change to an equal or better plan during the term of the contract. According to the agreement, the borough will provide medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage for the spouses and family of vested members of PBA Local #150 who have a minimum of 10 years of creditable service and who die prior to becoming eligible for Medicare, at the same level of benefits received by the PBA member at the time of death. In addition, the agreement stipulates that the borough will provide full 100 percent medical insurance, dental, prescription drug, and family or spousal coverage to lieutenants who retire after 20 years of service to the borough and have 25 years in the pension system. The two parties also agreed to replace the language in the previous contract with a new paragraph that provides that all lieutenants will be entitled to an increase from eight to 20 hours of personal time to be used as personal days with the additional 12 hours not to be used on the 13 holidays which they receive, except that the lieutenants will be entitled to take eight hours of personal time at their own discretion. The language concerning the grievance procedure was also changed to permit a grievance that cannot be resolved by the governing body to be submitted to an arbitrator who will be chosen in accordance with the rules and regulations of the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission. No arbitration hearing may be scheduled sooner than 30 days after a final decision in the matter by the governing body of the borough. That arbitrator will not have the authority to add, modify, detract from, or alter in any way the provisions of this agreement or any amendment or supplement to it, and the costs of the arbitrator will be borne equally between the borough and the PBA while other expenses will be paid by the party incurring those expenses. The Woman’s Club of Franklin Lakes, in cooperation with the non-profit Bergen Community Blood Center, will hold a Blood Drive on Wednesday, Jan. 13 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Franklin Lakes Ambulance Corps Building on Bender Court. Every year, four million Americans depend on blood transfusions to save their lives. All blood types are needed, especially Types O and O positive. Anyone Woman’s Club schedules Blood Drive in good health, age 17 to 75, and weighing at least 110 pounds can usually donate blood. Donors are requested to eat a moderate meal prior to giving and to bring identification with them. Appointments may be scheduled in advance by calling the Community Blood Center at (201) 251-3703. Walk-ins are welcome. For more details, call Blood Drive Chair Gina Venner at (201) 310-8473. WINTER CLEANUPS SNOW PLOWING LAWN MAINTENANCE FULL SERVICE LANDSCAPING 15% OFF NEW CLIENTS ONLY ANY JOB OR SERVICE W/COUPON • Exp 3/31/10• Not Combinable ASK ABOUT OUR PRE-PAYMENT SEASONAL DISCOUNT! CALL 201-891-0955 • WWW.CIRINOLANDSCAPING.COM Ski the HUNTER MOUNTAINS in the Catskills, and stay at our SKI RETREAT. Stay 2 nights, get the 3RD NIGHT FREE! www.VacationRentalsRetreats.com Call 201-891-0955 for information �� 40% Off �� After �� Holiday �� Sale �� everything in the store until�� January 22nd •�� Hudson Jeans • Butter • Ed Hardy • Pinc �� • Us Angels • Little Mass • Le Tout Petite �� • 7 For All Mankind �� 201.847.8243 �� Offer includes exam, dental cleaning and complete digital x-rays. Expires 3/21/2010. Offer cannot be combined Call to schedule your New Patient Exam and receive a $1.00 Take Home Whitening Kit. Expires 3/21/2010. Offer cannot be combined. �� www.mkdmd.com