Belmar Settles With Police in Contract Dispute

The governing body passed a resolution during its Wednesday, March 16 meeting authorizing Mayor Matt Doherty to execute the Belmar Policemen's Association P.B.A. Local 50 contract.

A memorandum of agreement signed by both the borough and the police ends a long and costly legal battle for the borough, Doherty said.

The contract will take effect three years retroactively and remain in place for two years.

Under the new contract, police will receive a 3.9 percent raise for 2008, a zero percent raise for 2009, a 3.75 percent raise for 2010 and a 2 percent raise for 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The contract will expire Dec. 31, 2013.

Councilman Richard Wright, the lone Republican on the governing body, was the only member to vote against the authorization.

Wright explained that he felt the borough was missing the opportunity to create a "second tier" in the police department and to control police salaries.

The councilman pointed out that after 10 years on duty and without promotion, a patrolman in Belmar would earn an annual salary of $101,000.

Doherty was quick to put the police budget into perspective for residents.

The average property tax bill for municipal purposes in the borough of Belmar is $2,379.31, Doherty said, explaining that less than $600 (or $50 per month) goes toward the police force.

"We have a very professional department," Doherty said. "I think we are getting a very good value."

"We've spent tens of thousands of dollars fighting with our PBA and losing," he added.

Despite the pay raises, the governing body is still expected to introduce a 2011 municipal budget with a zero tax increase on April 6.