Wayne officials get into shouting match over stipends for volunteer first responders

WAYNE — A proposal to pay annual stipends to volunteer EMTs and firefighters was derailed on Wednesday as the mayor gave a bleak preview of this year’s municipal budget and asked the Township Council to hold off before taking action.

A related proposal that would have made automatic yearly adjustments to the Length of Service Awards Program for eligible volunteers was shelved for the same reason.

But the discussion on the twin ordinances devolved into a political shouting match, and the intent behind the measures — to attract and retain more volunteers — was lost amid the arguing.

That the proposals were not voted on irked Councilwoman Francine Ritter, who sponsored the stipends ordinance and looked forward to getting it passed on its first reading.

“I find this appalling,” said Ritter, a Democrat representing the 5th Ward. “I find it embarrassing.”

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The Length of Service Awards Program, commonly known as LOSAP, is like a 401(k) account for volunteers who meet certain criteria. It is based on a system of points that the first responders earn for their hours of duty.

Councilman Jason DeStefano, who sponsored the LOSAP ordinance, started the conversation by saying he “got ahead” of himself. He asked for his proposal to be pulled from the agenda.

Many volunteers of the fire department and the first aid squad attended the council meeting to support the ordinances, but most of them abruptly left the municipal courtroom when it became apparent that the proposals would not be voted on.

“I think it goes without saying that fiscal prudence is always paramount, but this is our life safety,” Ritter said, trying to urge DeStefano to reconsider his decision. “Look at the room right now — that’s very disappointing.”

DeStefano’s proposal would adjust the annual contribution for LOSAP-eligible first responders at a rate consistent with the Consumer Price Index. The last increase to the awards program was made 14 years ago: from $1,365 per volunteer to $1,392. Ritter’s proposal would entitle each first responder who qualifies for that benefit to an extra allowance of $1,500.

Ritter first proposed her ordinance last month when Mayor Christopher Vergano proposed expanding his role from part time to full time. The councilwoman said her proposal would cost less, assuming the price of health care and pension benefits, and that it would not result in an immediate drain on township coffers. The stipends would not be disbursed until next year.

At this week’s meeting, Vergano advised the council to take a step back on the LOSAP ordinance and the stipends ordinance until the spending plan is adopted. His administration is dealing with a rather difficult budget season, he said. “The township is facing the same things that everyone is facing at their house,” he said, noting the nation’s record inflation. “Let’s do this the right way.”

Despite the mayor’s recommendation, Ritter continued to advance her proposal. She turned to her fellow council members and said they “should be ashamed.”

“Is this how you want to get votes for your—?” Ritter started to say, addressing her colleagues whose four-year terms are expiring.

“No — I think this is how you want to get votes for yourself,” the mayor interjected.

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“Excuse me, mayor, I’m not finished,” Ritter then said.

She called her colleagues’ behavior a “partisan game” and said the mayor’s recommendation to delay action on the proposals was disingenuous given his idea to expand his position. There was no consideration of the budget, she said, when that suggestion was made.

Six of the council’s nine seats will be on the ballot in the general election in November. Its Republican majority stood behind the mayor’s recommendation as the proposals were referred to its finance committee pending review and adoption of the budget.

“There hasn’t been anything our first aid or fire responders have needed that I’ve ever voted against, and I wouldn’t vote against it to this day,” said Councilman Richard Jasterzbski, representing the 1st Ward.

“But when we spend the taxpayers’ money from this podium,” he added, with his hands pressed against the dais, “we like to be responsible for it.”

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

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Wayne NJ first responder stipend proposal causes council shout match