Edison Votes Down Ordinance On Salary Increase Maximum For Staff

EDISON, NJ — During the last Council meeting, Edison voted down an ordinance that looked to increase the maximum salaries of certain officers and department heads in the township.

Councilmembers Joyce Ship-Freeman, Richard Brescher, and Ajay Patil voted against the ordinance, while Nishith Patel and John Poyner voted ‘yes’.

The ordinance looked to establish the "not-to-exceed" salaries of employees like the Business Administrator, Director of Planning and Engineering, Director of Health and Human Services, Chief Financial Officer and others.

The proposed increase ranged from $5,000 to around $30,000.

Ship-Freeman said she was voting "no" because she had issues with the salary maximums mentioned in the ordinance.

Poyner said the ordinance was important as it set salary ranges that would provide the right incentives to “get the best minds” to come and work in Edison.

“I think that this ordinance will help us achieve that goal. It is not to say that other items do not need to be addressed. Unfortunately, those are separate items for consideration,” Poyner said.

The Council President said he had directed the Township Clerk’s office to reach out to other towns in Middlesex, so Edison could get an idea of what their ordinances looked like.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com