WAYNE — A member of city council tried to prevent a final vote on an ordinance to turn the mayor’s job into a full-time job by proposing a referendum to gain voter consent for the move.
But on Tuesday, it appeared his efforts had been in vain.
Councilwoman Francine Ritter said she was told Tuesday morning that her non-binding referendum proposal would not be prepared by the township attorney in time for council to consider it this week.
“This is a strategic maneuver designed to achieve the mayor’s desired goal,” Ritter said, announcing his displeasure to followers on Facebook. It is “against the will of the people”.
In a previous interview, Ritter said the proposed adjustment to the mayor’s position is such a significant change that it demands transparency. The public, she said, should be fully aware before this happens.
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“You can’t ignore voters on anything this material,” said Ritter, who represents the 5th Ward.
She had proposed an ordinance to put the referendum on the agenda for Wednesday’s council meeting, with the same night council members to vote on the mayor’s pay rise.
Two weeks ago, a 6-3 majority of council introduced a controversial ordinance to make the mayor a full-time employee for the first time in township history. This change would lead to a considerable increase in wages, as well as health care benefits.
Mayor Christopher Vergano, 63, a Republican, is now paid $18,750 a year as a part-time employee. As a full-time employee, he would receive an annual salary of $140,000.
Vergano, who holds a management position for a plastics manufacturer in the nearby borough of Lincoln Park, did not return a call seeking comment.
A second ordinance proposed by Ritter would have asked the council to budget an additional $1,500 per year for each member of the fire department and first aid team. This money would be given to the volunteers in the form of stipends, she said.
“If we can find money for the mayor,” Ritter said, “I think we can find money for our volunteers. They need to be appreciated, beyond the equipment we vote on.
The concept of allowances for first responders is not unheard of.
The Township of Mahwah, which like Wayne has five fire companies, established a stipend program based on call volume to retain membership in its volunteer service. It came into effect two months ago.
Now, Ritter’s proposed ordinances won’t be considered by the board until next month, at the earliest.
In an email to Ritter from township clerk Paul Margiotta, he told him the township attorney needed at least two weeks to prepare the documents.
“This is very concerning,” Ritter wrote in response. “Obviously my proposed ordinance to place a referendum on the ballot will have to come before the Council vote to change the position of full-time mayor.”
Meanwhile, a citizens’ initiative for a referendum is gaining momentum on a parallel track.
Township resident Stewart Resmer has started an online petition to have a referendum on the full-time mayorship put on the ballot in the fall. It collected 748 signatures.
Under state law, citizens have the power of referendum until 20 days after an ordinance is passed. If they wish to dispute it, they must file a petition within this time limit. In this case, the petition is expected to have 2,447 signatures — or 15% of the votes cast in the township in the last election in which members of the state General Assembly were elected.
Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: devencentis@northjersey.com
