Councilmen Table Measure to Make Deputy Clerk Full Time

Washington Township councilmen decided not to introduce an ordinance that would make the position of deputy clerk full time, though they told the mayor they wanted her to allow the deputy clerk to work more hours to get necessary work done.

Council President Fred Goetz explained during the meeting Monday night that he asked for the ordinance to be drafted because the township administration had denied a request to increase the deputy clerk's hours. Councilmen had put enough money in the budget to increase her work time from 15 to 25 hours per week because Goetz said the minutes weren't up to date and residents had complained. The ordinance would make the position 35 hours per week, which is classified as full time.

Mayor Janet Sobkowicz said she disagrees with making the position full time.

"In this particular instance, they want to take the 15 hours of the deputy clerk and make it 35. That's a 20-hour increase, which is a 133 percent increase on the job and also makes that person qualified to have medical coverage at $19,500," Sobkowicz said. "As far as I'm concerned, that's too much."

The mayor said she had allowed Deputy Clerk Diane Grimaldi to work additional hours to catch up on meeting minutes, which she said are now up to date. Sobkowicz pointed out that Grimaldi is also serving in a part-time capacity as the acting secretary for the Planning and Zoning boards so if her hours increase to 25 as the deputy clerk, she would still be eligible for medical coverage. According to CFO and Treasurer Jacqueline Do, employees are eligible to receive medical coverage if they work 30 or more hours per week.

Goetz and Township Clerk Mary Ann Ozment pointed out that Grimaldi agreed to waive her medical coverage during budget meetings that happened earlier this year, but Sobkowicz was wary of that.

"I don't want anybody to waive anything because two months later they'll say they're not waiving it," Sobkowicz said. "That's not going to work for me."

The mayor said she would consider increasing the deputy clerk's hours to 25 per week and would get back to the council at the next meeting after speaking with Grimaldi.

Councilman Richard Hrbek said he preferred an open dialogue to passing an ordinance to change the deputy clerk's hours.

"I think our goal here is to get things done," Hrbek said. "I don't think we need to be trying to make threats and go to extremes to get things done. I think communication and dialogue is what we really need."

The next Washington Township council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 1.