June 22, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 7 Waldwick The Waldwick Borough Council and the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association (PBA) have decided to accept an arbitrator’s ruling on a three-year employment contract covering 2011-13. Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) arbitrator Frank Mason rendered his decision on June 4. “We did pretty well. Both sides got something, and we both decided we can deal with it, that it is time to accept and move on,” said Borough Administrator Gary Kratz. The parties had filed with PERC for arbitration on Jan. 15, 2010, but failing to reach a long-term agreement after several mediation sessions, settled on a contract for 2010 last December while Borough, PBA reach agreement on 3-year pact continuing with the arbitration. “We’re happy that the contract is settled, that we won’t be back until 2013,” said Det. Sgt. Douglas Moore, who co-chaired the PBA negotiations team. “We think the arbitrator’s decision was adequate. He chose options from both of our proposals,” he added, noting that the 2 percent salary increase was “in the ball park of what other departments in the area are getting.” The borough had cero percent on the table; the union 3 ½ percent. The arbitrator was working under rules in effect prior to recent state caps because the PBA contract under arbitration had expired on Dec. 31, 2009. The negotiated salary increase of 2 percent per year goes into effect on July 1; it is not retroactive as had been the norm in the past. The council last week introduced a salary ordinance to reflect the negotiated amounts so that the raises can go into effect on time. The new range for a police officer will run from $37,164 for the academy step to $122,868. For a sergeant, the range will run from $123,551 to $131,113, and for the lieutenant, from $130,992 to $139,010. Under the new agreement, employees having other than single coverage will contribute 2 percent of their salary towards their health benefits . At present, employees contribute 1 ½ percent of salary towards health benefits as required by a state law that went into effect last year. Additionally, any employee who chooses health coverage other than Direct 15, the most inexpensive program, will have to pay the difference in premium. This provision The Flow Circus will be at Waldwick Public Library on Saturday, June 25 at 11 a.m. as part of the celebration of this summer’s reading program, One World, Many Stories. The event will feature juggling, jokes, and balloons. The traveling zoo, Eyes of the Wild, will be at the library on June 28 at 11:45 a.m. Wildlife expert Travis Gale will bring some wild animals from around the world and will discuss amazing animal facts and unusual behaviors. The singing, songwriting, and performing husband-and-wife team of Beth and Library plans summer events will not go into effect until January, 2012, to allow employees to switch programs if they so wish. The arbitrator did not award a union request to institute 12-hour work shifts. He did agree with the union stand that the present seven-days-on system should not be required and left it up to the two sides to come up with a suitable alternative “that is better for our officers,” Moore said. The arbitrator also agreed to extend the time off allotted for work-incurred injuries from 90 days to 180 days, a PBA goal. The borough’s police force is presently comprised of a lieutenant, a detective sergeant, three patrol sergeants, and 9 patrol officers, in addition to the chief. Moore said that the police organizational chart calls for 12 patrolmen and that the department was working with the borough to hire additional officers. Scott Bierko will entertain with songs and stories from around the world at the library on July 12 at 11:45 a.m. The library will welcome back everyone’s favorite “big kid,” singer/songwriter Kurt Gallagher on July 19 at 11:45 a.m. Gallagher will present songs, crazy instruments, bubbles, and more. All programs are open to children ages three and up who are residents of Waldwick. Advance registration is required as space is limited. Call (201) 652-5104. Proof of residency is required. The library is located at 19 East Prospect Street in Waldwick.