Officials Approve Employee Benefits in New Princeton

Princeton officials have unanimously approved the new benefits for new municipal employees beginning Jan. 1, 2013.

A major point of contention, whether or not non-union employees in the new Princeton should chance from their current benefits package to a bank of days off called “personal time off,” or PTO was finally decided. Despite a recommendation from the Transition Task Force’s personnel subcommittee to switch to a PTO model, Borough and Township officials instead endorsed keeping the status quo and exploring a possible PTO model over the next year.

The plan to keep the status quo was one recommended by Borough Administrator Bob Bruschi and Township Administrator Kathy Monzo, following discussions with affected employees.  

Officials approved the new benefits for non-union employees at a joint meeting of the governing bodies on Monday.

Township Committee Members Liz Lempert and Lance Liverman were absent.

The benefits will be as follows:

• Medical benefits: state plan is roughly 20 percent less expensive than private plans. No discernable coverage differences. Township employees to move to state plan.
• Pension: Coverage is the same in both municipalities. No changes recommended.
• Retiree medical: current retirees will remain in current program. Future retirees will move to state medical plan. New municipality will consider reimbursement when healthcare exchanges are established.
• Overtime: Combination of borough and township polices: 1.5 times over 40 hours, straight time 35-40 hours, holiday pay is 1.5x plus holiday pay, absence not counted as time worked.
• Comp Time: eliminate official policy, but maintain current practice.
• Longevity Pay: will be eliminated. Roll amount that would have been in place at 12/31/2013 into employee's base pay.
• Bereavement: use Township policy, five days off for listed family members. Two-day extension may be granted for travel.
• Terminal Leave: Use Borough Policy through 2014, eliminate after Jan. 1, 2015. 25 years of local service required 1 day per year of service, capped at 30. Two months notice required.
• Short term disability: use Borough's self-funded plan. Borough pays 100 percent of salary for six months after 44 days of disability. Sick bank or unpaid for first 44 days.
• Time Off: Current employees will keep current vacation allotments until they move into a new category. Then, the allocations will be one day per month for the first year, 12 days for between two and five years of service, 17 days for six to 14 years of service, 22 days for 15-20 years of service and for employees with 21 years and up, 25 days plus one day per year thereafter to a maximum of 28 days. Employees may carry over up to 1 year of vacation time with administrator approval. Recommend the new governing body study the PTO system and conduct a pilot program in 2013.