DENNISVILLE – The Dennis Township Committee met June 2 to accommodate the June 3 primary election. Mayor John Murphy addressed the employee compensation issue. At the previous meeting committee voted on pay increases for Township employees. This included a $500 raise for committee members over the objections of Committeeman Frank Germanio, who had offered an amendment to the ordinance that would have stripped out the raise to Committee. Germanio’s amendment was not passed. Committee voted to pass the compensation package without it.
In the meantime, Murphy had a change of heart. He asked Jeff April, township solicitor, if they could have a revision on that part of the ordinance giving committee the raise. April said there would be some expense and legal machinations involved to do that. April suggested a smoother way to accomplish the desired goal would be for the members of Committee to “notify the CFO that you are turning it down.”
Murphy then explained his motivation for voting for the raise in the first place. “There was nothing behind it but me being kind, to take care of you guys for how hard you work.” He said it was a “gesture to thank the committee.” April said if all the members were turning down the raise, he could draft a single letter. All present agreed. Committeeman Brian Teefy was absent.
Committeeman Albert DiCicco spoke up saying it was right to give back the increase to make up somewhat, “for the $17,000 we wasted last year on hiring a deputy administrator.” This brought a quick response from Germanio. “We didn’t waste that money,” he said, adding that he, Germanio, was “shocked to see you would bring it up.”
The members also turned down the Vision Care Insurance coverage offered to them. At the request of Germanio, committee agreed to link the VFW website to the township website.
Sea Isle Boulevard Project
Township Engineer Jack Gibson reported on the Sea Isle City Boulevard project. The work is scheduled to start July 8 and will be completed by 2020. There will be four stages of construction, the first being the construction of a new bulk head.
Murphy said he hoped that the issue of traffic security would be addressed. It was agreed to bring it up at a future meeting.
Gibson assured them that it was “a very well thought out, but rough endeavor.”
To contact Helen McCaffrey, email hmccaffrey@cmcherald.com.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
