Township council restores 2% across-the-board raises after debate over 1.5% proposal

Township of Washington council members debated changes to the proposed salary ordinance during a review of the 2025 budget and ultimately approved a 2% across-the-board increase for most noncontractual positions.

The discussion began when Administrator DeCarlo walked the council through the salary tables and noted that most lines were budgeted at 2%, while a small number of positions had higher requested increases. Councilman Cascio moved to make a uniform 1.5% increase for noncontractual positions; a colleague seconded the motion and the council proceeded through line-item adjustments under that assumption during the budget review.

The proposal drew sharp comments from other members. Several council members and speakers argued that the half-point difference was small in short-term savings but could affect employees’ retention and morale. Administrator DeCarlo repeatedly explained which lines already differed from 2% and why: the purchasing/payroll line, a deputy treasurer/benefits coordinator position, and a civilian police position were budgeted at higher amounts due to role-specific requests and partial-year funding in 2024.

After line-by-line review, a separate motion was made to restore raises to 2% for the affected salary lines. The council held a roll-call vote: Councilman Casio voted no; Councilman Sears voted yes; Councilman Ullman voted no; Councilwoman Velez voted yes; Council President DeSantis voted yes. The motion to restore 2% carried.

Nut graf: The council’s choice affects town employees’ pay and the municipal budget baseline. While some members framed a 1.5% raise as modest savings, others said the difference risked losing experienced staff. The final action maintained the administration’s recommended 2% baseline for most noncontractual positions while preserving separate treatment for contractual and specially budgeted lines.

Details and clarifications - Positions excluded or handled separately: contractual police department lines and DPW collective-bargaining items were not changed by the council’s across-the-board decisions; those remain subject to contract terms. (Source: Administrator DeCarlo.) - Exceptions to the 2% baseline: Administrator DeCarlo identified three lines with higher requested increases — purchasing/payroll, deputy treasurer/benefits coordinator, and a civilian police position — and explained some line increases reflected funding for only part of 2024, requiring a larger 2025 budgeted amount to fund a full year. (Source: Administrator DeCarlo.) - Floating/part-time staffing: the “floating” tax office assistant positions are part-time (one at 20 hours/week, another at 16 hours/week); one of those lines’ increases reflected funding a full year after a prior vacancy. (Source: Administrator DeCarlo.)

Outcome and next steps - Formal action recorded: council approved restoring the proposed raises to 2% for most noncontractual positions by roll-call vote (yes: Sears, Velez, DeSantis; no: Casio, Ullman). The administration will carry the 2% figures into the salary ordinance to be introduced for the council’s formal adoption process. - The council and administration agreed to circulate the full salary ordinance before first reading so members can review exact lines and exemptions.

Ending: The council proceeded to complete the budget line review after the vote; additional budget and capital items remained on the agenda.