Jan 14, 2011 By Christine Haines 3 min read

CALIFORNIA – Borough council Thursday approved the memorandum of understanding with the new police chief hired last month. Retired state trooper Jeffrey Gillen officially started as the borough’s police chief Jan. 3, with his annual salary set at $52,500. At the end of his 180-day probationary period, that salary will increase to $55,000/year, with the possibility of annual pay raises each January.

Under the agreement, Gillen will not receive health benefits through the borough since he still qualifies for medical insurance through the state.

The agreement also calls for Gillen to become a regular police officer if the borough’s former police chief, Rick Encapera, is reinstated to the position by court order. Encapera was not retained as chief during the 2010 reorganization meeting and was demoted to officer. Officer Tracy Vitale had been promoted to acting chief. Council Thursday voted to return Vitale to her previous title of officer, with a corresponding reduction in pay from $20/hour to the regular officer rate of $17.80/hour as of Jan. 1, 2011.

Council voted unanimously on the memorandum of understanding. Councilwoman Shelly Roberts, who had been attending the meeting by telephone, did not respond when asked to vote on the issue of Vitale’s pay. The connection was reestablished for later votes during the meeting.

Mayor Casey Durdines asked solicitor Ernest DeHaas for a written opinion on whether council members can attend by telephone or other electronic means. DeHaas said he has researched it and believes it is permitted, but he will provide that opinion in writing as well.

Council also voted to install a new security lock system for the front and back doors of the police office, as well as on the evidence and supply room doors. The electronic lock system will track who enters each door and the time of the entry. The system is being purchased from and installed by Advent Communications Systems at a cost of $8,312, the state contract price. Funds for the locks will be taken from the borough’s local share fund from the casino revenues.

Council also voted to contract with HMT and Associates to handle code enforcement, rental inspections and new construction inspections in 2011.

The code enforcement officer will be available three days a week at a rate of $30 per hour. The borough had only budgeted for the code officer to work two days a week, but council said funding would be found for the extra day, with at least part of the money coming from additional fines generated by the code enforcement officer with the extra day’s work. The office generated more than $59,000 in 2010.

The agreement with HMT calls for a fee of $400 for new home construction inspections, $250 for pre-manufactured homes, $60 for remodeling inspections, with possible additional fees depending on the extent of the project. There will be a $300 application fee for commercial facility plan reviews.

The borough will also collect a 20 percent fee on each application.