Stolen Laptops; New Supervisors; $11 Million Budgeted for City Employees Salaries,Wages, Benefits; $2 Million Lawsuit; Anti-Graffiti Ordinance
Monday, May 11, 2009
By Bill Cleary
SNIPPET -In January two laptop computers and a computer monitor went missing from the Gloucester City Water Department office on Johnson Blvd... Recently I asked Police Lt. George Berglund if anyone was charged with the crime. His answer was no, “the trail went cold”. I also asked if there were any important files on those computers since a Water Plant would come under United States Home Land Security. His answer to that question was also no.
TIP-Gloucester City Mayor and Council appointed Steve Ciachetti to the vacant position of Supervisor for the Gloucester City Highway Department. Prior to his promotion “Spags” was a heavy equipment operator in the City Water Works Department. Ciachetti replaces John Gorman who retired some time ago.
Incidentally the other supervisor position, formerly held by retiree Don Souder is now being held by Alex Tedesco. He was elevated to that provisional title last year. The head of the department is Superintendent John “Bowie” Johnson.
How many employees in the public works department do the two supervisors and department head oversee; eleven.
The City Water Department also has 11 employees along with one supervisor and one department head. The employees in both departments are represented by the Steel Workers of America #14957. Their contract with the city expired on December 31, 2008. The total salaries and wages for those employees including supervisors amounts to *$1,000,050.
The total salary and wages for superintendent of public works, supervisor of street and supervisor of public works $175,000. The total for the assistant director and supervisor of the water and sewer department equals $145,000
SNIPPET-What about the salaries and number of employees in other departments?
The Fire Department
operating budget is estimated at *$4 million with $190,000 set aside for
overtime. That department has 9 supervisors overseeing 23 employees.
The employees are represented by FMBA Local #51. The 9 supervisors
are represented by FMBA Supervisors Local 251.
The employees contract expired on December 31, 2008.
Total salaries and wages for all 32 employee
equals *$2,565,003 or approximately 63 % of the total budget.
Police Department-
Number of supervisors 7, number of employees 21. Total operating budget about *$4 million, with $156,000 for overtime. The
contract for employees, represented by PBA Local 40, expired December
31, 2007.
Salaries and
wages for all 28 employees is $2,900,500 or approximately 71 % of the total
department budget.
The seven supervisors are represented by Superior Officers Association Local 40. Contract expired December 31, 2007.
CWA White Collar Bargaining Unit represents the 20 white collar employees whose contract expired on December 31, 2006. I am unable to find out how many supervisors are under this union. The estimated amount for salaries and wages $744,000.
The City’s 2009 budget $18 million. The total salary for the 102 full-time employees and 74 part-time employees is approximately *$9,352,801. This figure includes all city employees’ salaries and wages union and none represented, including base salaries, vacation bonuses, sick time buy back, and longevity bonuses.
The cost for employee’s health benefits $2.1 million annually. The total amount allocated for employees salaries,wages and health benefits equal $11,452,801 or approximately 64 % of the total budget.
According to Mayor William James, “a zero raise for 2009 for all city employees has been proposed by Mayor and Council to avoid employee layoffs. No union has accepted these terms as of yet. With a 4 % state levy cap we cannot raise taxes more than 4 %. The city needs the cooperation of the union reps and the members through these tough economic times. When things are better, raises will be given again”.
The information for the salaries and wages in each department was provided by Administrator Jack Lipsett and members of the Finance Committee.
TIP-A $2 million tort claim notice was filed November 2008 against the City of Gloucester City by Michael C. Kain and Mary F. Kain of Gloucester City. The Kain’s are related to Municipal Clerk Paul Kain and his wife Maggie-Gorman Kain. The latter is running in the June Primary election for the 2nd Ward Democratic council seat. Also included in the lawsuit are Robert Bevan, Captain Charles Reed, Operations Manager North Wind Schooner a/k/a Saoirese Ceallaigh and Elizabeth A. Murphy, Chief Operating Officer Delaware River Port Authority.
According to court documents on October 18, 2008 at approximately 9:55 a.m., Michael Kain was lawfully upon the premises of the Gloucester City Marina a/k/a "Freedom Pier" located on Cumberland Street in Gloucester City, N.J., when his leg went into a hole in the dock, causing severe injuries to his right leg, ankle and foot, as well as lacerations, abrasions and contusions to the left leg. A general description of the injury is: severe orthopedic injuries including fracture of the right leg, including displaced fibula fracture(s) with bone fragments in the ankle and ligament damage which will require open reduction and internal fixation surgery; lacerations.
SNIPPET-The City of Gloucester City passed an anti-graffiti ordinance on first reading. Fines range from $500 to $1000 and violators could be sentenced to community service. A reward of $250 will be given to anyone providing information to the arrest of a violator. Second reading and final passage is May 28th council meeting. To view the ordinance http://www.cityofgloucester.org/images/File/ord%20016-2009.pdf
If you have a TIP OR SNIPPET send to [email protected]
*Does not include the cost for health insurance.
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