| Author | Message | ||
     Mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 819 Registered: 5-2001  |
http://www.southorange.org/ According to a popup on the Village website, consideration is being given to revise the Village Charter to PAY the Village President and Trustees. In addition, the possibility is raised of providing medical/pension benefits. While the amount of money currently proposed is relatively small, I think it is only the beginning of further increases over time which will make our outrageous tax burden even higher. Sure they devote their time to the Village, but that's what volunteerism is all about. We already have PAID administrators. I think this is a bad idea, especially in light of the talk of 20% tax increases that are already being proposed. Discuss.... | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 987 Registered: 4-2002 |
I will stay out of this discussion for obvious reasons, but just want to point out that a 20% increase was NEVER proposed. It was pointed out that would be a worst case scenario when we were finalizing the budget this past fall. The initial budget will probably have an increase in the 9% area, but the final budget will have a lower increase. I also want to point out that the charter review commitee that is planning on making the suggestions has NOT given their report to the BOT yet. They meet every 12 years. But as MHD states, Discuss.... | ||
| Sylad Citizen Username: Sylad Post Number: 260 Registered: 6-2002 |
I would like to better understand this before I rush do judgement. I went to the web site and saw nothing. Can someone post the info here. It would be nice if time was spent to update the village web site. There is still info about First Night. | ||
| Mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 820 Registered: 5-2001 |
Sorry, Sylad. Perhaps you have a "pop-up blocker": http://www.southorange.org/news/charter.htm | ||
| arizona Citizen Username: Arizona Post Number: 24 Registered: 2-2004 |
The updated village web site is "coming soon."  | ||
| doublea Citizen Username: Doublea Post Number: 467 Registered: 3-2003 |
Of particular significance is the recommendation that a non-binding referundum be placed on the ballot in November whereby the apportionate of school costs would be on the basis of number of students rather than property value. Under the present system South Orange pays 43 percent of school costs but only has 22 percent of the students in the district. I commend the committee for making this recommendation. mhd: Thanks for posting the info. There's a lot to think about. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 992 Registered: 4-2002 |
doublea: I think S. Orange has 33% of th students not 22% | ||
| doublea Citizen Username: Doublea Post Number: 470 Registered: 3-2003 |
I was quoting the numbers in the report. Just checked again - it says 22%. I think you're right about the number and if so it should be changed in the report. | ||
| tototoo Citizen Username: Tototoo Post Number: 149 Registered: 1-2002 |
Anybody else out there get a pension and benefits for volunteering? | ||
| Sylad Citizen Username: Sylad Post Number: 261 Registered: 6-2002 |
MHD--Thanks for posting the info. If this is passed I think that it should kick in at the start of the next term. A few questions: How did the committee arrive at these exact amounts? Where would the money come from to cover the added expense? Are any members of the BOT suffering financial hardship caused by their service to the town? If so, and this does not become part of the new village charter will they resign? How about an incentive program in which the BOT gets paid based on meeting objectives? | ||
| NCJanow(akaLibraryLady) Citizen Username: Librarylady Post Number: 1222 Registered: 5-2001 |
Excuse me, but doesn't Maplewood pay its trustees a small amount for their "volunteerism"? And many volunteers do get medical (rescue squads come to mind). Continue the discussion, please. NCJ aka LibraryLady On a coffee break..or something like it. | ||
| alison Citizen Username: Alison Post Number: 98 Registered: 6-2002 |
Maplewood does not pay its Township Committee members. | ||
| Eric DeVaris Citizen Username: Eric_devaris Post Number: 51 Registered: 2-2003 |
Well said Doublea: "There's a lot to think about". Consider this: Fact 1: The Board of Trustees appointed the Charter Review Committee members at a special meeting held on Valentine's Day (!) Wednesday February 14, 2001. I can imagine that public attendance in that meeting must have been minimal, and yet discussion was held on revising the Charter governing the Village. Fact 2: The Charter Review Committee consists of eleven members... ... of which five (that I know of) are either paid Village employees, or civil servants who were serving in other politically appointed official positions as well. Fact 3: The Draft report of the Charter Review Committee states that "the Committee feels strongly that the elected officials should receive some form of compensation". This in a town where a tax hike of 20% is looming in the horizon for next year. Fact 4: The Draft report of the Charter Review Committee finds that "there is no specific need for term limits [for elected officials] to be set forth in the Charter." This in a town whose Board of Trustees includes members who are sitting on the Board for more than twenty years. Fact 5: The Draft Report of the Charter review Committee, while it recognizes that "a switch to having the elections conducted in November with the partisan elections would increase the number of voters who participate in the municipal elections" it nevertheless concludes that "holding the [municipal]elections in May [rather than in November] allows the elections to be more clearly focused on topics of importance to the Village, which topics would probably get lost if the elections were held in November." This in a town where only 33% of the registered voters went to the polls last May (and that was a higher percentage than that of previous years). Well, anyone can put two and two together. So that I don't sound like a grouch: under the "Education Related Issues" the Report offers one constructive recommendation that most, if not all, taxpayers of South Orange would love: The Committee recommends that the Board of Trustees have placed on the ballot for the November 2004 general election, a non-binding referendum which seeks to have the costs of providing an education in the South Orange Maplewood School District based on a per pupil cost rather than on an apportionment of the valuation..." Kudos is due to the Committee for this recommendation. Eric | ||
| doublea Citizen Username: Doublea Post Number: 473 Registered: 3-2003 |
The present Charter provides that the Village President and Trustees shall receive no compensation or emoluments for their services. The proposal is to eliminate that restriction and start off with $6000 for the Village President and $5000 for each Trustee. No mention is made initially of any pension payments or medical benefits. However, if I understand the proposed change correctly, once the restriction has been lifted, the committee set up under the new provision could recommend pension and medical benefits in the future. While I am open to the idea of some nominal compensation, I would be concerned about changing the language to allow pension or medical benefits being given in the future. I think we have enough problems with medical benefits. Also, if there is going to be some compensation, there should be some cap. Without a cap, there is always the possibility that a future board could go crazy. | ||
| Mayhewdrive Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 824 Registered: 5-2001 |
This may be a first, but I agree with Sylad (that the Village website should be updated). (although I am glad this proposed change to the charter is VERY prominent in a popup making it hard to miss) Mark, perhaps you can comment on what the PROCESS is for this "proposal"? Does it now go before the BOT to be adopted? Do you have a timeframe for that? The obvious concern is I can't imagine the BOT voting against this under any circumstance since it does personally impact them. Wouldn't it make more sense for this to be put as a referendum for the PUBLIC to vote for/against? | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 4718 Registered: 5-2001 |
Maplewood does pay its TC memebers a small stipend. The number $1,700 comes to mind, but I am not sure of the amount, although it is less than $2,000. I don't know about pension benefits. In addition one of the TC members,usually, is the representative to the Joint Meeting (sewer authority) and their is a salary involved with this appointment. | ||
| sac Citizen Username: Sac Post Number: 967 Registered: 5-2001 |
I believe that the Maplewood TC members do receive a medical benefit. I don't know about pension. Interestingly, I do not ever recall this being brought up in any of the vehement discussions about taxes and budgets. I live in Maplewood and do not resent the small stipend for the TC. It can't begin to make up for all the effort involved in what is essentially a volunteer community service position. It seems reasonable for South Orange to be consistent, but I guess this is primarily for the SO folks to discuss and debate. Does anyone know what is typical in towns of this size throughout the state? | ||
| guessagain Citizen Username: Guessagain Post Number: 24 Registered: 12-2003 |
Alison, do some research before you post incorrect information. | ||
| bobk Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 4724 Registered: 5-2001 |
On the school funding issue. I doubt if the state would move away from a property tax approach because it would open a can of worms. The better approach is try to withdraw from the district and joint Livingston or West Orange. I think there is at least one district trying to do this in Bergen County at present. Similar to the situation here there is vast economic and social differences between the two towns that make up the district. | ||
| NCJanow(akaLibraryLady) Citizen Username: Librarylady Post Number: 1223 Registered: 5-2001 |
The New Jersey State League of Municipalities did a survey last year: 2003 SALARY SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE -The League is conducting its biannual compilation of wages and salaries paid to mayors, governing body members and other key administrative staff, including police officials. The salary survey was mailed to all municipal clerks in early April. Can we get the results so that we can compare what is proposed to what is offered by other, similar villages? It would be very informative to know. NCJ aka LibraryLady On a coffee break..or something like it. |
