Council Majority OKs Police Raises, One Councilman Challenges Rates

Hasbrouck Heights Police were granted a pay raise for 2013 but not before one councilman challenged the rates at which the officers get paid across the board.

Councilmembers approved the raises which amounts to roughly a 1.75 percent increase for this year by a 4-1 vote with Councilman Christian Semenecz casting the sole no vote. Councilman Justin DiPisa was not present at the meeting.

Before the vote, Semenecz stated he had "a lot of problems with the ordinance" citing that the increases which officers get from year to year over a span of their first eight years of service are too high. He added that these increases are in additon  to pay raises for longevity.

Mayor Rose Heck reminded Semenecz the steps in the ordinance go back to contractual agreements which were put in place years ago and this council has no control over it.

She disagreed with his claim that it goes against the governor's ruling on spending cap.

"We abide by them and stay within cap and go under cap when we can. I know how you feel about the police officers contract but it's not something we have any control over," Heck told Semenecz.

Heck stated in the most recent contract negotiations one step was added in order to increase the timing for which an officer can then receive the top level pay.

A second ordinance to approve a 1.75 increase for the chief was also approved by 4-1 with Semenecz casting the no vote.