Gabbert Expresses Interest in Collecting Raise

The Ridgewood Village Council is expected to pass salary ordinances that freeze salaries of non-union and management staff but also allow for "incentive" pay by as much as 1.5 percent.

Although Village Manager Ken Gabbert is not eligible for merit pay, he's still eyeing a raise.

The previous salary ordinance proposals would have allowed for up to 1.9 percent in "merit" increases in 2012 and 2013, ultimately determined by Gabbert. They're modeled after ordinances passed in 2011 that allowed for up to 3.5 percent for non-union and management staff. The new 1.5 percent proposals will be voted on at the May 8 meeting, with the 1.9 percent versions defeated.

Councilman Tom Riche said he'd be voting against one of the two new ordinances, which allows management to collect merit pay. His reason? Gabbert is not eligible for a merit raise, the only member of management to be excluded.

Asked by Mayor Paul Aronsohn if it was in fact his wish not to be included in the ordinance, Gabbert said he was "comfortable" not being eligible for a merit raise.

"I guess from my view on the positive side, whenever you're ready to evaluate me and give me an increase, I'll be glad to go through that process," he remarked.

"I like the concept that I'm evaluating the senior managers, the confidential employees and the non-union staff, and in no way is there an implied that a raise for me is hurting them, so I'm comfortable with it not being included [in the ordinance]."

Gabbert's compensation has been a point of controversy over the last year. The prior council elected to give the manager a 12 percent raise, a gesture Aronsohn objected to. 

Dissatisfied with Gabbert's performance, the current council held a closed session meeting in February calling for his resignation. The council vote failed and Aronsohn issued a statement claiming the governing body would "evaluate" the manager going forward.