file photo by Boyd Loving
North Jersey police retirees cash in while lawmakers stall
JUNE 8, 2014, 11:03 PM LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2014, 12:00 AM
BY LINH TAT AND MELISSA HAYES
STAFF WRITERS
THE RECORD
PAGES: 1 2 > DISPLAY ON ONE PAGE
In the last three months alone, North Jersey taxpayers have been put on the hook for $1.5 million in payouts to eight police officers — including five chiefs — to cover thousands of hours in unused sick, vacation and compensatory time.
Some of the payouts include:
Vincent Caruso, Lodi: $342,381
Thomas Johnson, Elmwood Park: $228,141
Arthur O’Keefe, Englewood: $182,542
Gary Giardina, Clifton: $134,000
Frank Papapietro, New Milford: $158,000
Matthew Paz, Passaic: $100,000*
*Acting chief, city figures are estimated
The recent payouts approved in Bergen and Passaic counties are just the latest examples of a system that critics say is out of control, and a burden on taxpayers. In fact, some municipalities have been forced to borrow millions to make the payments. The Record has reported on six-figure payouts from at least a half-dozen other North Jersey public employees, including school administrators, in recent years. And there are more to come.
Indeed, these perks have become a rite of passage for some retiring public employees — Lodi Police Chief Vincent Caruso is getting $342,381, for instance — and other longtime workers still on the job, despite repeated criticism from Governor Christie and fiscal watchdogs who have called for the benefit to be repealed entirely.
“These six-figure payouts are forcing other people to go without,” said Jerry Cantrell, president of Common Sense Institute of New Jersey, a non-partisan research-and-education non-profit that receives support from individuals, private foundations and businesses. “If those dollars weren’t being expended on these things, they could be going toward legitimate purposes, like fixing potholes.”
State lawmakers have been unable — or unwilling — to strike a deal and get a handle on the substantial payouts. And without comprehensive, statewide reform, local officials have been left to negotiate a solution with employees on their own. So far, those efforts have come piecemeal and vary from town to town. In the end, it means the payouts keep coming.
– See more at: https://www.northjersey.com/news/north-jersey-police-retirees-cash-in-while-lawmakers-stall-1.1031530#sthash.al6KqD0W.dpuf
Lawmakers of national and state politics have no backbone to do what is right for there citizens.
These ironmen never call in sick or take vacations?
This isn’t just bad management. It is outright fraud.
I do not mind the pensio s, they should wait till abe 65 to begin collecting. And no double pensions.
And the sickdays were ‘banked’ when their daily rate was much lower years ago.
What a scam.
I grew up in a working class town in Bergen County.
I went to a four year college and have gone on to create hundreds of good paying jobs through businesses I have created over the last 30 years.
A childhood buddy went to a two tear school and the became a police officer in our hometown.
After spiking his salary for the last two of his thirty years he retired at age 51with a $9800 per month pension.
do the math…and tell me how this is justifiable and or sustainable?
Look at the Village of Ridgewood 2014 Budget Newsletter: “Unfunded liabilities (retirement payouts) are $7.1M (against a reserve of $479K)”… https://mods.ridgewoodnj.net/pdf/manager/2014BudgetNews.pdf Why should anyone get a FULL, risk-free pension immediately after only 25 years of work ? The average retirement age of our public safety officials is 52.4, and they immediately start their full pension. In addition to that, on retirement they get up to six months of accumulated sick leave, paid out at their FINAL comp rate (salary + 10% longetivity pay) instead of at the rate when the leave was awarded earlier in their career. Most private sector workers don’t carry over sick leave from year to year, and don’t use it always – good health itself is reward enough. Yet municipal workers see this as a retirement perk, and this is very clearly being abused as per the article above.
Pensions should be assessed on BASE salary.
Retire after 20 years if you want, but pension should not start until age 65.
There is just incentive for individuals to hang on in positions just for the pensions.
Pensions in nj are based on a 3yr avg of base salary only if you go @ 20yrs you get50% and no medical.