August 3, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 Waldwick Waldwick Borough Administrator Gary Kratz will not be retiring before 2014, but he and the council have signed off on a transition plan both sides are calling a “win-win” situation. “I think it’s a good deal for the town and a good deal for me. There are very few things in this life where it’s a win-win situation. I think this is a win-win,” Kratz commented. He would have been eligible for full retirement under the state’s pension system as of Aug. 1, 2011 but will stay until at least 2014 with an additional month off each year. The retirement agreement was hammered out “in an effort to create a meaningful, efficient and proper transition for both Kratz and the borough, as well as to limit the borough’s exposure to an unfunded liability of terminal leave benefits,” states the council resolution approving the contract. Under the borough’s personnel policy Kratz and borough negotiate retirement agreement which applies to non-union employees hired prior to 1992, Kratz would be entitled to a terminal leave payment for 130 sick days. He actually has 270 days accumulated in his sick day-bank. Under the terms of the new agreement, Kratz will reduce the 130-day lump sum terminal leave payment by utilizing 30 of those days each year for the next three years, and, in addition, relinquishing five days each year. The remaining 25 days would stay in the terminal leave bank but could be relinquished if Kratz remains employed past 2014. “It’s a great opportunity for him to ease out and for us to have time to prepare,” said Councilwoman Anita Bozzo, who chaired last week’s meeting in the absence of Mayor Russell “Buddy” Litchult. Bozzo praised Kratz for his administrative abilities. “I’m amazed at how much he knows,” Bozzo said. Former Councilman Anthony Marino, present in the audience, echoed those sentiments. “I commend the council for working out this deal and Gary for doing it. He is someone who can juggle projects, and he is always coming up with new and better ideas. He always goes the extra mile,” said Marino. “I hope your successor is even half of what you are,” he told Kratz. Kratz said the reduced schedule will give him more time off with his family and will make him an even more efficient employee. “When you have days off, you gain productivity,” he said. Waldwick Mayor Russell “Buddy” Litchult is recuperating at home following a freak accident during a gathering at the site of the new water tank installation on Wyckoff Avenue. “It happened so quickly, I thought I’d broken a leg,” Mayor Litchult said from his home last week. “I want to thank everyone for their prayers and their cards; even priests are coming in to give me blessings,” Mayor in good spirits after accident he said of the overwhelming support he has received from the community. The mayor along with other borough officials and professionals was visiting the water tank construction site on July 22 when he slipped, fell about two feet off the embankment, slid on gravel and fell to the ground. He heard a popping noise, he said, so he asked not to be moved before the (continued on page 13)