Resolution Denies Health Benefits for Elected Officials

The Freehold Borough Council will no longer have access to health benefits.

The governing body unanimously approved a resolution at its Dec. 19 meeting at Borough Hall that will prevent elected borough officials from receiving health benefits.

Although currently no council members were receiving health benefits, the new resolution will prevent future elected officials from taking them. In addition, officials will not be able to receive stipends for not receiving health benefits, according to the language of the resolution.

Councilman George Schnurr explained that other municipalities have given up their health benefits too, but have not taken all take the extra precautions that the borough resolution takes.

“One of the loopholes that I have seen municipalities use, is that they vote on not having health benefits and then pay themselves a stipend to be used for that purpose. We closed that loophole as well,” Councilman George Schnurr said. 

According to a New Jersey state statute, elected officials that took office prior to May 21, 2010 are able to receive health benefits. The new resolution overrides the state statute.