County Eyes Residency Requirement For Employees; Long Unenforced

CREST HAVEN – Forty-seven employees of Cape May County get their paychecks from the county but call somewhere else home. While there are permissible reasons for that, freeholders discussed resumption of a residency requirement at their Tue., Feb. 28 meeting.
On the books, there is a statute passed by the board in 1980, but that rule has not rigorously enforced.
“What we have noticed are folks moving out,” said County Counsel Barbara Bakley-Marino to the board.
Those who reside outside the county generally live in Cumberland or Atlantic counties. While they are not far, they are not inside the borders of the county as required. That could be a problem, noted Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton, when a storm threatens and Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center needs all nursing staff members to be on duty.
Bakley-Marino said the county attempts to get employees, who plan to move, to complete a form, as required, stating the reason for relocation. One such reason would be if a family member is ill and needs treatment outside the county to reside close to that treatment facility.
What bothers Thornton is that “They are employed in the county and decided to reside outside the county. That revenue goes outside the county. We are sitting here with the second highest unemployment percentage, and Cumberland is even higher. For every salary that goes out of this county, people are purchasing things like gasoline, groceries, whatever. The money is lost. It could generate other jobs in this county to impact the unemployment rate.”
He realizes that for many who have moved out, “They don’t have the resources to move back in.”
“I would just take a hard look at this as far as employees moving out of the county. We can’t in good conscience sit here and employ people outside the county,” Thornton said.
One countering argument, he realizes, is that housing is “very costly in Cape May County” yet there are homes “that are reasonable in Lower (Township) and Wildwood and places like that that are available.”
Thornton acknowledged that “through default we didn’t address this when it was happening. At this point in time, I would take a different position on the policy we had since 1980.”
“The fact that you had a resolution in place, and the fact that we did not enforce it for so many years, you lost that right, theoretically, to say you’ve got to come back in,” said Bakley-Marino. She warned that residency the resolution has not changed since 1980.
Exceptions exist, noted Freeholder M. Susan Sheppard, for those who possess special training that might not be found in a county resident. She also pointed to Atlantic City’s residency requirement for those employed by that municipality.
Once again, Thornton cited the CNAs at Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center that are “so difficult to find” even though a training course is available locally for persons who want to seek one of those certified nurse’s aide positions.
“We do have training classes, but it is one of the lousiest jobs and salaries are really low. If you look at those people, they are angels that do that job. They do it for very little compensation. They take care of the elderly in the nursing home,” Thornton said.
Again, he cited the high unemployment rate and said that the CNA classes could be opened to those collecting benefits through WorkFirst NJ training programs. “WIB (Workforce Investment Board) would probably pay for the training, and perhaps they could become self-sufficient,” Thornton added.
According to the Workfirst NJ website, “The state’s welfare reform program, WorkFirst NJ, emphasizes work as the first step toward building a new life and a brighter future. Our goal is to help people get off welfare, secure employment and become self-sufficient, through job training, education and work activities.”
“We don’t want to have 47 employees panic stricken,” Thornton said. Bakley-Marino suggested sending reminders to those who reside elsewhere about the residency requirement.
A number of those CNAs hired by the county live in Atlantic County, noted Administrator Stephen O’Connor.
“We can’t find people in Cape May County to do that job,” added Bakley-Marino.
Looking north, Thornton noted it would be “foolish” for Cumberland County to hire outside its borders given the high rate of unemployment there.
“The way the economy is today, it would be crazy for us not to take an aggressive position to keep more jobs in the county,” said Thornton. Through time, the county “lost track or did not enforce” its policy on residency, he added.
“We did not know until they left,” said Bakley-Marino. “No decision was ever made.”
Thornton said if he read the resolution correctly, an employee knew “their job was in jeopardy when they moved out. That’s the way it’s been.” While there is apparently a two-year span to move back into the county, it was never used.
“If we have a policy, it should be enforced throughout the duration of employment,” said Freeholder Will Morey. “What is the exception for special skills?”
Physical therapists at the nursing home, for one, said Thornton. They have been in demand for “close to a year.” The county must look outside its borders, from another county, to hire them, he added. To solve the dilemma, Thornton said the county resorted to hiring a contractor from Atlantic County to provide that service.
If there is a solution, it may begin with an employee who resides outside the county talking to his or her freeholder in charge of their department.
“Let everybody know they can’t move out of the county,” Thornton concluded.