After debate, Perry Township supervisor to receive salary hike
PERRY TWP. – After several residents voiced their support for a proposed raise for township Supervisor A.J. Boni, the township supervisors Tuesday approved the 75-cent increase by a 2-1 vote. During public comment, residents responded to recent comments made by Supervisor Janet Galla, who questioned the rate increase while the township still works to repay a debt that was as high as $1.3 million in the late 1990s. Galla contended that she did not oppose an eventual raise for Boni, only that the township could not afford it at this time.
Last month, the township’s auditors approved a 75-cent hourly raise for Boni, raising his rate as roadmaster for the township to $13.25 an hour. The auditors also set a 100-hour limit on overtime for the coming year and reduced the number of sick days and holiday days, according to auditor Mark French.
Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting, French said the township can afford the raise because it carried over a $115,000 surplus into this year and that Boni has been underpaid the past few years.
French also noted that after the auditors cut Boni’s pension fund from $5,000 to $3,500 and reduced the number of holidays and sick days, and after Boni refused to
accept health coverage, the township will save $237, despite the raise.
A group of residents told the supervisors that regardless of budgetary concerns, Boni deserves the raise.
“The roadmaster’s job is the one that you and I see every day,” resident Emma West said. “He has done his job well since he has been in office. I don’t even think that his salary compensates all the physical work he does.”
Galla said that she has total confidence in Boni as roadmaster, and it has been the township’s financial woes that have kept Boni from receiving a raise. According to Galla, the budget carryover, which she claims is partly due to deals and budget cuts, might be a mirage and that the township should wait to give raises out until 2004. She said that if the funds were available, she would be happy to grant Boni the raise.
“I do not have any problems with A.J. We just don’t have money to play with,” she said.
After nearly an hour of public comment, Supervisor Adam Muccioli made a motion to eliminate Boni’s roadmaster position and create a temporary position, but the motion died for lack of a second.
Galla then made a motion, which was seconded by Boni, to accept the auditors’ recommendations and
allow Boni to continue as roadmaster.
Muccioli, whose position as roadmaster was eliminated early last year, voted against the motion.
After the meeting, Galla said that despite her concerns, as an elected official, she couldn’t go against public sentiment.
“I’m just not going to keep fighting about it. This is what they want,” she said.
Boni said he was just glad the controversy was over: “I’m just glad they are going to keep me on as a roadmaster.”