Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • November 23, 2011 Ridgewood Council majority approves merit salary increases by John Koster Ridgewood Mayor Keith Killion and three council members voted to adopt a merit increase salary ordinance that permits raises of up to four percent a year for supervisory staff who are doing exceptionally good work. Council Member Paul Aronsohn opposed the potential increase ordinance and several members of the audience opposed the decision. “Many residents are really shocked,” said Ed Feinstein. “People in today’s economy aren’t being handed huge bonuses.” Feinstein, a citizen who spoke three times, said he was also appalled by the fact that Ridgewood had approved a 12 percent increase for Village Manager Ken Gabbert shortly after 34 municipal employees had been laid off due to the financial crunch. He asked Mayor Killion what rights the residents had to overturn the ordinance, and Mayor Killion told him the objecting residents had the right not to vote for anyone who had voted to adopt the ordinance. Councilman Aronson, the only member of the council to vote against adoption, had also opposed the village manager’s raise. “We just keep giving it out, and I just don’t understand it,” Aronsohn said. “I don’t get it and I think it’s wrong.” Aronsohn clarified with Mayor Killion that the ordinance could be applied retroactively so that, theoretically, a supervisor who performed well could receive a four percent increase for 2011 and a retroactive four percent increase for raises not awarded during a freeze in 2010 at the depths of the crunch, when 34 staffers were laid off or induced to take early retirement and about 20 others were reduced from full-time to part-time employment. Stepping in on Mayor Killion’s side, Deputy Mayor Ridgewood was reportedly the only community in Northwest Bergen County to win anything in the statewide Innovation in Governance Award competition, capturing three Honorable Mentions for three submissions. The three honors -- just behind the first prize and second place prizes -- were awarded by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities. The two groups functioning in tandem gave Village earns honors for innovation out 23 awards statewide. The first award – which drew debate at a recent council meeting -- was for approving merit-based increases for supervisory staffers who turn in exemplary performances on the job. This policy has encountered considerable opposition from unions, but is hailed by some groups as a path to improved performance and reduced labor costs. (continued on page 16) Thomas Riche said the merit increases are seen as a progressive move, one of which has led to Ridgewood’s nomination for a state-level award. Deputy Mayor Riche said rewarding employees for exemplary performances is a vital and sometimes unpopular concept to oppose the habit of giving workers across-the-board increases whether or not the employees perform. “If someone doesn’t perform, maybe they shouldn’t be working here,” Leonard Eisen, a resident, said in opposing the ordinance. Eisen said the present financial crunch and the layoff of workers in lower pay grades meant it was not a good time for raises at the upper salary levels. Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh also agreed that merit increases made good sense as an incentive for those who perform well. “What would make people stay in Ridgewood if they weren’t appreciated?” Walsh asked rhetorically. Eisen and Feinstein opined that, given the current economy, most people in executive positions were not likely to leave. Killion said he saw it as a fairness issue. Union members, often with state backing, could negotiate en masse so that mediocre workers and excellent workers received the same increases, while supervisors such as department heads and their immediate subordinates had no such power. “If you vote yes (on raises) simply because they’re covered by a union, and then vote no because they’re not covered by a union, then there’s an inconsistency that I can’t rectify in my mind,” Killion said. “This governing body gave the village manager a 12 percent increase this year,” Aronsohn said. “Square that one!” “I’m not saying this about you, but it seems that people pander to unions,” Killion said. “If we’re going to do this, let’s do it for everybody.” Aronsohn voted “no” on all aspects, but the ordinance was adopted 4-1. Also adopted was a resolution to approve the balance of financing to finance an ADA-approved ramp for the Lester Stable and rehabilitation of the Kasschau Shell floor for a total of $91,985. Most of this money came from outside grants. While Councilman Stephen Wellinghorst questioned the price of the project at a previous meeting, he joined the rest of the council, including Aronsohn, in an approval vote.