Part-Time Officials In Montclair Got Full-Time Benefits: Report

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair has greenlighted hundreds of thousands of dollars in health care benefits to several elected officials, despite murkiness about the legitimacy of the payouts, a report says.

Montclair was among the towns named in a NJ Advance Media report published Monday, which found that several municipalities with part-time mayors and council members have allowed officials to sign up for state health care benefits through the township – although New Jersey law requires them to work at least 35 hours a week to qualify (with some exceptions).

Read the full article here.

In Montclair, eight officials who were seated after the 2010 state law accepted insurance or received payments for declining coverage, the report stated – a total that came to $454,000 in benefits.

The list includes current mayor Sean Spiller and former mayor Robert Jackson, current council members William Hurlock, David Cummings, Lori Price Abrams and Robin Schlager, and former council members Richard McMahon and Peter Yacobellis.

Montclair Chief Financial Officer Padmaja Rao previously raised concerns about the potential conflict regarding health benefits. She later filed a lawsuit against the township and former town manager Tim Stafford over claims that she was retaliated against for blowing the whistle.

• See Related: 'CEO Of Montclair' Gets The Boot; Council Votes To Remove Stafford

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