Berkeley Heights Police Contract Finalized, Put into Effect

At its Tuesday night public meeting, the Berkeley Heights Township Council approved a resolution to put in place a collective bargaining agreement with the township’s police officers.

The township police, represented during the negotiations by the Superior Officers Association, now have a contract in place that runs through the end of 2013, and will do the best to ensure a 3 percent raise in each of the next two years for township officers, as long as the financial climate permits.

Given the current, sensitive state of the township’s financial situation, which includes debt servicing costs of approximately $1.1 million, several members of the public were concerned on Tuesday night that the pay raises would mean higher tax rates for Berkeley Heights residents.

“Between the raises that you’re going to give next year, and the debt service on a $1.1 million bond, I feel like the taxpayers are going to get hit even harder than they did this year, and I’m concerned about that,” said local resident Carol Matula.

Several township officials, including police chief Michael Mathis, were then quick to point out their understanding of the sensitivity of the economy, even stating that a 3 percent raise may not be given to all officers, if such a measure is necessary to keep the township from going into a dire financial situation.

“There’s only so much money in the pot,” said Mayor Joseph G. Bruno. “If it came to the point where if we had to contractually do a 3 percent increase, we would do it, but not everyone would get one.”

Added Mathis, “My guys know the town is in financial difficulty, and we are really working at a high morale, not asking for a lot, and spending less.”

“The police department’s budget is 14 percent less than it was two years ago, and it’s 6 percent less than last year,” continued Mathis, who also pointed out that his officers saw no pay increase for the first two years of the current CBA, which began in 2009. “There is no way to pin the costs on police department, and on the safety of Berkeley Heights.”

Mathis also credited his officers with their ability to create more revenue for the township in the form of traffic violations. The department has written 40 percent more tickets this year.

“I credit the 40 percent increase on the restructuring of departments, on having the right command officers in the right department,” said Mathis. “Guys are enjoying what they’re doing and coming to work with smiles on their faces.”

Councilman Robert Woodruff, however, warned that new revenue must continue to be generated in order to ensure a raise for the township’s officers, and even to avoid the worst-case scenario of discussing layoffs within the department.

In such a challenging economic climate, Woodruff did not sound optimistic.

“I pick up the paper every day, and nothing tells me that we’re gonna be in a different position. I hope we are,” said Woodruff.