Walsh: Ridgewood Finance Board Must be 'Sensitive' to Employees

A soon-to-be constituted financial board must strike the balance of cutting to the core of Ridgewood's fiscal woes while remaining sensitive to employees, Ridgewood council members said Wednesday night.

The "Ridgewood Financial Advisory Board" would make recommendations on monetary policy, with a particular focus on the budget, Mayor Paul Aronsohn said.

"The budget authority resides with the council and must stay here," the mayor said, addressing prior concerns of the prospective board's powers.

Ridgewood's Financial Advisory Board would also produce an annual report on the financial state of the town but will not have special access to non-public documents.

The idea of a financial board was first introduced by the authors of the "Tiger Team" financial report in December.

While council members stressed the board should closely examine current issues and offer "out of the box" solutions, it can't come at the expense of employees.

Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh warned the advisory board's role shouldn't put employees in the position that "they're not going to be doing as well as they could; because they're going to feel there will be someone looking over their shoulder."

Aronsohn acknowledged other advisory committees – like the Citizen's Safety Committee and the Parks and Recreation Commiee – often feature board members questioning the decisions of staff.

"You're absolutely right, there has to be that sensitivity," Aronsohn said.

Walsh suggested the advisory board focus on a few specific tasks handed down from the council "so employees don't feel scrutinized every moment of the day."

Councilman Tom Riche also suggested background checks be performed for members and non-disclosure forms be signed.

Aronsohn said he'd rework some of the points and provide another draft in the coming weeks. A ten-member board (including liaisons each from the council, management and a schools) could be set up as early as this summer.