Township Council President Asks for Reduction in Acting Administrator Pay

Washington Township Council President Fred Goetz has asked members of the governing body to consider lowering the pay of the acting administrator from nearly $91,000 to $59,000 per year to bring the salary more in line with neighboring communities.

The , which was set to expire Feb. 28, through the end of the year. At the time, Goetz said he was "disappointed" with the outcome and asked the council to reconsider, but the vote remained 3-2 in favor of keeping Chin in the role.

During the council meeting Monday night, Goetz said the governing body in nearby Woodcliff Lake appointed the qualified and certified clerk as the acting administrator with a $500 per week bonus.

"By comparison, what the township has done by taking the acting administrator from $34,000 a year to almost $91,000 per year is effectively granting a bonus of almost $1,200 a week," Goetz said. "I have to question why we think that Ms. Chin, or whoever is filling that administrative role, is worth so much more money."

He suggested taking the acting administrator salary down to $59,000 per year, which would reflect a $500 per week increase in pay for Chin, who was the township purchasing agent before taking over the duties of the administrator.

Goetz asked the council members to seriously consider the idea, which will be discussed at the budget meeting Wednesday.

"Not to do so is not only fiscally irresponsible but it's also a direct affront to the cash strapped taxpayers of this community," he said. "We have a duty to the taxpayers to be mindful to these costs and especially in this economy this year, this is something that the council cannot turn a blind eye to."

Mayor Janet Sobkowicz disputed Goetz's claims that paying Chin the higher salary was a waste of money. She said Chin is saving the township more than $45,000 per year because she is doing two jobs, purchasing agent and administrator. Sobkowicz said the township was paying $135,000 per year for the two positions before Chin took over both for $89,000 annually.

Sobkowicz also said advertising for additional candidates cost the township between $1,200 and $1,300.

Council members are expected to discuss the administrator salary during the next budget meeting, scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the third floor conference room of the , 350 Hudson Ave.