Mahwah October 26, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 5 Health benefits issue raised in local campaign by Frank J. McMahon The issue of health benefits for the elected members of the Mahwah township government was raised at a recent public council meeting. One of the candidates for mayor has gone on the record saying he would refuse to accept those benefits if he is elected in the Nov. 8 general election. The issue was raised by Mountain View Drive resident Daniel Weixeldorfer, who raised the same issue in 2010 when he sought election to the township council. Weixeldorfer is now supporting William Laforet in the election for mayor of the township. Weixeldorfer claims that current state law does not permit newly-elected part time officials to get health benefits and the township is incorrectly interpreting that law and permitting elected officials to get health benefits from the municipality. He asked which council members are accepting health benefits from the township as a result of their positions on the council. Councilman Samuel Alderisio said he does not take the health benefits from the township because he already receives a health care benefit as a retired member of the township’s police department. Councilmen John Roth, Harry Williams, and Roy Larson said they do not receive health care benefits from the township. Councilman John Spiech said he does receive any health care benefits from the township. Mahwah Township Administrator Brian Campion told Weixeldorfer that Mayor John DaPuzzo and Councilwoman Lisa DiGiulio, who were not at the meeting during this discussion, do have health coverage from the township, while Councilman Charles “Chuck” Jandris does not. Campion advised that the calculated value of a family health plan from the township is about $17,000, although employees pay a fixed amount toward their health coverage in addition to deductibles. In 2012, all non-union employees will begin paying a percentage of their salaries toward their health care benefits. Union employees will begin paying a percentage of their salaries towards their health care benefits when their current contract expires. Campion said all township employees, and the members of the governing body who accept them, receive dental and optical benefits. In addition, they are eligible for state-mandated pension benefits depending on when they were elected or appointed and their length of service. Weixeldorfer criticized the members of the governing body who take health benefits from the township when they could get those benefits from their other employers while other volunteers in the township do not get those benefits. “Why can’t the people taking these benefits just say they won’t take them?” Weixeldorfer asked. “It doesn’t look good.” Following the meeting, Laforet issued a press release stating that many towns across the state have done away with such perks for elected officials in order to reduce expenses during difficult economic times. In addition, Laforet claims that the mayor and council also receive a stipend of several thousand dollars per year and are eligible for a state pension after 25 For That Special Event ��� years of service. Based on the salary ordinance adopted in May, the township’s mayor receives a salary of $15,000 per year, the council president receives a salary of $8,000 annually, and the council vice president and council members receive salaries of $7,000 per year. Laforet said he is not running for mayor to get free health care or a pension and, if elected, he would refuse to accept these benefits and would ask for that money to be returned to taxpayers or allocated to the township’s emergency service volunteers. “Our volunteer emergency service workers put in far more time than the mayor and council and they don’t get free health benefits,” Laforet stated. “If they did, everyone in town would want to be a fireman. I am surprised everyone doesn’t want to be the mayor to get free health benefits.” ��������������� ��������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������� The Clothing Closet Ministry at the Ramapo Reformed Church has free clothing for infants through adults. For a referral, call the Mahwah Department of Human Services at (201) 529-5757. Ministry offers free clothing Mahwah residency is not required. The Clothing Closet is located at the rear of the church’s education building, located at the corner of Island Road and West Ramapo Avenue in Mahwah. ������ ���� �������������������������������� ��������������� ������������ See our website for coupons-������������������������ �������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������� ���������������������