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Old Tappan Council Extends Police Chief Contract; Members Seek Budget Clarity
Summary
Council approved an extension of the police chief’s contract during the sine die meeting after clarifying term, renewal and termination-for-cause language; members asked that raises align with the police union and flagged budget season implications.
Council voted to pass a new employment agreement for the police chief that continues salary and term language into 2026 unless the council elects otherwise. The contract, introduced as a separate item off the consent calendar, was described by staff as containing an option to continue into 2026 with raises aligned to the rank-and-file police contract.
During the discussion Council members asked whether the chief’s contract falls inside the collective bargaining agreement and about termination provisions. One member summarized the contract’s renewal language: the prior agreement ran through 12/31/2024; the new contract "calls for this year and continuation ... into 2026 unless we say no," characterizing continuation as an option that the council may decline at the end of the year. Another member pressed for clarity on "for cause" termination and whether the raises were budgeted; staff indicated raises match the rank-and-file police contract and that the budget preview had been considered.
A motion to pass the police chief agreement was made and seconded; a roll-call vote followed with recorded affirmative responses. Council members noted that more detailed budget work will take place during the winter municipal budget process.
