Council Introduces Salary Ordinance that Cuts Acting Administrator's Pay

Washington Township councilmen unanimously approved the introduction of the 2011 salary ordinance this week. The measure includes a reduction in pay to Acting Administrator Lilly Chin, which the mayor has asked the council to reconsider.

The introduced salary ordinance reflects a salary of $64,000 for Chin, down from the $89,000 she received in 2010. Members of the council originally during a budget meeting March 2, but then at the March 31 budget meeting.

Mayor Janet Sobkowicz has been against any salary reduction for Chin, calling it unfair. She had originally put $90,780 in the 2011 budget for Chin's salary, which represents a 2 percent increase from the $89,000 Chin received in 2010.

Sobkowicz said Chin has done a good job and has saved the township money since she has been performing the duties of administrator and purchasing agent.

She added during the council meeting Monday night that the acting administrator in Park Ridge, who works four days per week from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and has a separate purchasing agent, gets paid $75,000 per year. She also said the replacement for the River Vale administrator gets paid $120,000 annually.

"I hope the council will reconsider their action on this position," Sobkowicz said.

Councilmen didn't discuss the acting administrator's pay before voting unanimously in favor of introducing the salary ordinance.

The public hearing on the salary ordinance is scheduled for the May 23 council meeting.