Council Passes Resolution Mandating Landscaper Registration

Commercial landscapers must now register with the township and acknowledge receiving information from the state and the township.

An ordinance was passed following a public hearing at Monday night's council meeting.

Commercial landscapers must now acknowledge receipt of a copy of Princeton’s leaf, branch and log collection program, as well as information on Federal and New Jersey State wage and hour laws and New Jersey State workers’ compensation insurance laws.

Registration must be renewed annually, and it may be suspended or revoked for violations of law, including wage theft law and other Princeton ordinances, or for good cause prejudicial to the public health, safety or welfare.

Five landscapers testified concerning their own experiences in wage theft during the public hearing. They were among 20 landscapers on hand for the proceedings.

Amby Monterroso, the owner of a small landscaping company, told council he welcomes the new law because he follows the rules and the law will prevent competitors from undercutting him by not paying workers.

Councilwoman Heather Howard mentioned this is the second municipal ordinance that addresses wage theft in New Jersey. She said similar provisions will be added to ordinances and regulations in the restaurant and construction sectors.

Elisa Neira, Executive Director of Princeton Human Services, said that she helped a landscaper recover $1,400 in unpaid wages from a landscaping company just last week.

In addition to Neira, the Human Services Commission, New Labor (a workers’ rights group), and LALDEF (the Latin American Legal Defense & Education Fund) also helped draft the resolution.

John Heilner, of the Human Services Commission, said the provision that calls for revocation of the registration would motivate employers to do the right thing from the start.

Heilner and Ross Wishnick cited statistics as to the need for combating wage theft nationally and in New Jersey.

For example, in a 2011 survey by the Seton Hall Law School, 50% of day laborers said that they had not been paid properly at least once in the last year.

Craig Garcia assisted Princeton in drafting the resolution based on his experience with New Brunswick's law. Garcia, of New Labor, told the township his organization will help train Princeton workers on their rights and responsibilities.

Maria Juega, Executive Director of LALDEF, thanked the Council and asked that the registration application include a place for employers to enter their workmen’s comp insurance number.

Mayor Liz Lempert responded that this could be handled administratively.