By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Bradley Beach Police Chief Leonard Guida finally has his contract, following a three to one vote at this week’s Borough Council meeting.
Councilman Gary Engelstad asked for the contract resolution to be placed on the agenda after months of meetings and discussions about the validity of the contract. Former Mayor Steve Schueler had negotiated the contract with Guida, several weeks before Mayor Julie Schreck took office July 1.
Since that time Schreck has contended that the contract was negotiated without the knowledge or input of council members and was not legal because a vote to approve it was never taken.
Borough Attorney Patrick Diegnan, who was appointed by Schreck in July, said from the start council should vote on the contract to make it a legal document.
Following the vote, Diegnan said, after being asked by a resident, that the contract is now “legal.”
Council President Lori Marchak-Ortiz, Councilmen Gary Engelstad and Salvatore Galassetti voted in favor, Councilman Harold Cotler abstained and the mayor voted no.
Before voting Schreck publicly reviewed the contract, which gives Guida $109,000 the first year, saying many provisions in it are unfair to the taxpayers of Bradley Beach.
One issue was the accumulation of one year of sick time, which the chief could request at any time. Another issue was the use of a personal car for Guida.
“Is is right that a public employee is given a personal car with no limits on use and no limits on the number of passengers?” the mayor asked.
Engelstad, however, said it is a fair and reasonable contract. He also said morale and efficiency are up in the police department.
“He goes above and beyond,” Engelstad said.
Schreck said her objection to the contract is not a reflection of the Guida’s job performance.
“He deserves the respect and gratitude of the people in Bradley Beach,” she said. “This is about the proper and fair enactment of a contract.”
Engelstad called the disagreement with the mayor a “philosophical difference.”
“Is it right that a public employee is given health insurance for life?” she asked.
Schreck said the borough is accepting future debt in the chief’s contract.
Schreck also noted that the contract allows Guida unlimited travel for conferences and training.
“It was not enacted properly – change is upon us, the way we used to do things does not work anymore,” she said.
During the public portion of the meeting, resident Joan Bachar asked Schreck why she mentioned perks in the chief’s contract but not the fact that he does not received the same pension benefits as the police officers.
“The chief is being shortchanged, he is not getting the same pension,” Bachar said.
In other police news council agreed to advertise for the hiring of a new police officer to replace one who left to work in another town.
The advertisement of the position allows the borough to solicit resumes to have on file if they in fact decide to fill the position.
Resident Lou Coccaro voiced opposition to the hiring citing costs to the borough.
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