New Contract for Beach Haven Public Works

BEACH HAVEN - The Borough Council authorized a contract with the Borough's Public Works Department, which grants either a 2% wage increase or $900 in the next year, for all 19 department employees.

Municipal Manager Richard S. Crane said the four-year contract will run from Jan. 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2015, and will allocate wage increase for the 2012-2013 years, of either 2% each year or $900, whichever amount is greater, and for 2014-2015, 2% or $950, whichever amount is greater.

Crane said that the contract also takes into account longevity payments, and includes adjustments of about $350 per year for the five employees that qualified for longevity payment. That number will increase to $400 next year, $450 the following year, and then $500, until the contract expires.

The new contract also will promote about 11 employees, changing their titles to more accurately reflect their job descriptions. Crane said that currently, many employees are only titled "laborers," but many hold commercial driver licenses for driving borough trucks, as well as other trade positions.

Councilman S. James White and other Council members praised both the department and Crane for "outstanding" work in negotiating the new contract.