Ridgewood Municipal Court Judge David Pfund

Salary for new Ridgewood judge David Pfund debated

MONDAY OCTOBER 8, 2012, 10:45 AM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

Despite voting against the selection of David Pfund as Ridgewood’s municipal judge, Councilman Tom Riche suggested paying the appointee a salary higher than the amount recommended by his colleagues.

Pfund, an attorney and former Ridgewood mayor, was appointed municipal judge last week by a 3-2 vote. Riche and Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh voted against the move, both citing the lost potential to save taxpayer dollars.

The village “missed an opportunity for a long-time shared services possibility where the taxpayers certainly could have saved money,” Riche said during a special meeting last Wednesday.

During a discussion of the new judge’s salary at this week’s work session, Riche said he was in favor of paying Pfund $30,000. According to Village Manager Ken Gabbert, three other council members supported a salary of $24,500, while a fourth suggested a lower rate.

Former municipal judge Philip Sheridan, who spent nearly two decades on the bench, earned $27,500 annually plus health benefits, Gabbert said. Pfund will not receive the village’s health benefits.

As a result of a conflict with his full-time job, Sheridan stepped down from the municipal judge position last month.

http://www.northjersey.com/news/173121161_Salary_for_new_Ridgewood_judge_debated.html

Share this article