The Township of Harding, a Municipal Corporation in the County of Morris and the State of New Jersey, party of the first part, hereinafter designated Harding Township, and Policemen's Benevolent Association 340 (PBA) of the Township of Harding, in the County of Morris, and the State of New Jersey, party of the second part, hereinafter designated Representative,

WITNESSETH:

Whereas, pursuant to the provision of Chapter 303 of the laws of 1968 of the State of New Jersey, the Representative submitted itself on behalf of the Police Department of the Township of Harding, exclusive of the Chief and Lieutenants; and Whereas, Harding Township recognized the said representative for patrolmen and sergeants of the Harding Township Police Department, and a contract was negotiated:

Now therefore, in consideration for the services performed by the members of the Police Department, and a contract was negotiated;

Now therefore, in consideration for the services performed by the members of the Police Department of the Township of Harding, and the mutual covenants hereof, it is agreed as follows:

B. Each step represents one year in grade. All Police Officers presently employed by the Harding Township Police Department shall be eligible to move up in grade on their anniversary date, provided that each officer has successfully met the requirements of their position as defined in the Harding Township Police Department’s policies and procedures.

An increment, in addition to the base salary shall be paid for time of service as follows:

Years of Service	Patrolmen	Sergeants
0-4
5 -8	$ 675.00	$ 775.00
9 - 12	$1175.00	$1275.00
13-15	$1675.00	$1775.00
16+	$2175.00	$2275.00

The increment shall be paid in two installments the first shall be due and payable on July 1 and the second on December 1.

B. Increment to Patrolmen acting in Supervisor’s Capacity

The Township recognizes that a Patrolman is senior officer on many shifts, and in such cases a patrolman acts in a supervisory capacity. Since Patrolmen are used in a supervisory capacity on more than an occasional basis, each patrol officer who acts in such a supervisory capacity shall receive the salary of a step one sergeant (the lowest supervisory position) for those hours worked in that capacity on a shift or shifts.

“Each patrolman who acts in such a supervisory capacity shall receive the salary of a step of sergeant (the lowest supervisory position) for those hours worked in that capacity on a shift or shifts.”

Holiday pay will be rolled into base salary effective January 1, 2005, before the application of the 2005 salary increases. Holiday payments made in 2005 shall be deducted from the retroactive salary payment for 2005.

In the event the Township has established any other holiday for its other employees, such holiday shall be added in the above-enumerated list.

B. Termination Leave Payment for Accrued Sick Leave
1. Those members who retire having attained both the required age and years of service, upon retirement shall be eligible to receive one (1) days' PAY, at his then rate of pay, for every three (3) days of accrued unused sick leave based on the accrual rate of a maximum of eighteen (18) days per year to be cumulative up to a maximum of three hundred (300) days.
2. For purposes of the terminal leave payment calculation only, the eighteen (18) days per year specified in Section VI (a) shall also apply to the period January 1, 1973 through December 31, 1986.
3. For purposes of the terminal leave payment calculation, any sick leave taken during the period of January 1, 1973 through December 31, 1986 will be deducted from the twenty-four (24) days' per year allotment stipulated in Section VI (a).
4. Eligible members will have the option of receiving the terminal leave payment in a lump sum amount upon retirement or as leave time off from duty, such time being utilized immediately prior to the member's date of retirement.
5. A member shall make every effort to advise the Police Chief and Township Administrator of his intention to retire prior to the start of the calendar year in which the retirement will be effective.
6. A member, who retires prematurely on disability pension, shall be exempt from the attainment of the age and service requirement set forth in Section VI (b) (1).

The purpose of this procedure is to secure, at the lowest possible level, equitable solutions to the problems, which may from time to time arise affecting policemen. Both parties agree that these proceedings will be kept as informal and confidential as may be appropriate at any level of the procedure.

The failure to appeal a grievance to the succeeding step of the grievance procedure within the time periods specified shall constitute acceptance of the last answer to the grievance and the grievance shall be deemed withdrawn at the end of the specified time periods if not appealed. The failure of the employer or the employer's representative to answer a grievance within the time periods specified in the Agreement shall be construed as a denial of the grievance thereafter may be appealed to the next step.
C.

GRIEVANCE

Should any dispute or difference arise between the Township and the Representative or its members as to the interpretation, application or operation of any provision of this agreement, or arising from a lack of equality in treatment of employment or promotion, both parties shall endeavor to settle same in the simplest and most direct manner. The procedure shall be as follows (unless any step thereof is waived by mutual consent):

First: Between the grievant, with the PR & R representative from the PBA, and his attorney if he chooses, and the Chief of the Department within ten (10) days after the event giving rise to the grievance has occurred. The grievance shall be reduced to writing prior to said meeting. The Chief shall give his written answer within three (3) working days after the meeting.

Second: Between the grievant, with the P R & R representative from the PBA, and his attorney, if he chooses and the Township Administrator, within ten (10) days after the written answer given by the Chief of the Harding Township Police. The Township Administrator shall give his written answer within five (5) working days after the meeting.

Third: (a) If the grievance is not settled at the second step the grievant or the P R & R representative from the PBA may make written request for a third step meeting within twenty (20) days after the answer to the second step, except that in disciplinary action grievances, the written request for a third step meeting shall be made within five (5) working days after the answer is received at the second step. The Township Committee shall set a meeting within five (5) working days after the answer is received at the second step. The Township Committee shall set a meeting within five (5) working days after the request, or for such other time that is mutually agreeable. Said third step meeting shall be between the Township Committee and the grievant with the PBA representative. The Township's answer to the third step shall be delivered to the PBA within five (6) working days after the meeting.

(b) A PBA member disciplined, may, at his option, proceed initially to the third step of the grievance procedure. Grievances concerning such matters shall be filed in writing with the Township Committee within five (5) working days after the discipline or the option under this section shall be deemed waived. The third step grievance meeting or disciplinary matters shall be held within ten (10) working days after the request unless other arrangements are mutually agreed upon.

Fourth: If the aggrieved person or the P R & R representative is not satisfied with the handling or result of the grievance on the third level, he may within fifteen (15) days, notify the Township Committee that he wishes to take the matter to Arbitration.

(a) Within ten (10) days after such written notice of submission to arbitration, the Township Committee and the P R & R Committee shall attempt to agree upon a mutually acceptable arbitrator to serve. If the parties are unable to agree upon an arbitrator or to obtain such a commitment within the specified period, a request for a list of arbitrators may be made to the Public Employment Relations Commission by the aggrieved party. The parties shall then be bound by the rules and procedures of the Public Employment Relations Commission in the selection of an Arbitrator.

(b) The Arbitrator so selected shall confer with the representatives of the Township Committee and the P R & R Committee and hold a hearing promptly and shall issue his decision not later than twenty (20) days from the date of the close of the hearing or, if oral hearings have been waived then from the date the final statements and proofs on the issues are submitted to him. The Arbitrator's decision shall be in writing and shall set forth his findings in fact, reasoning, and conclusions on the issues submitted. The Arbitrator shall have no power to add or subtract from or' modify any of the terms of this Agreement. The Arbitrator shall be without power or authority to make any decision which requires the commission of an act prohibited by law or which is a violation of the terms of this Agreement. The decision of the Arbitrator shall be submitted to the Township Committee and the Representative and shall be binding on the parties.

(c) The cost for the services of the Arbitrator, including per diem expenses, if any, and actual and necessary travel, subsistence expenses and the cost of the hearing room shall be borne equally by the Township Committee and the Representative. Any other expenses incurred shall be paid by the party incurring same.

The Chief of Police shall determine the schools to be attended and the members attending same in which case said school shall be construed as mandatory.

Elective schooling, or that- schooling which is attended at the whim of any member, shall not be covered by this section.

Compensatory Time will be paid at time and one-half in money or time and one half in time off (as per Federal Law).
C. The monthly work schedule shall be posted by the 15th of the preceding month. Any changes of said work schedule with less than fourteen (14) calendar days, notice shall require all changed work time to be paid at the overtime rate.

A. All full time employees of the Harding Township Police Department shall continue to be covered by the insurance program currently provided by the Employer’s sole expense, and if the current program should become unavailable, the Employer shall substitute a program as close to the current program in coverage as is available.

B. The dental insurance benefit currently provided to the members of the PBA shall include orthodontic coverage as provided by the current insurance carrier with a specified one thousand ($1000) dollar deductible clause, with such deductible cost being assumed by the individual employee.

C. Upon the death of an active member or retiree, the Township of Harding will pay premiums for the spouse and minor children for 18 months or when the spouse becomes covered by other insurance, whichever is earlier.

D. Effective March 1, 2003 the prescription drug plan shall be modified to provide a co-payment of $3.00 for generic drugs and $5.00 for brand name prescription. Effective January 1, 2004 the co-payment shall be $5.00 for generic drugs and $7.00 for brand name prescriptions.

E. Effective January 1, 2006 the Township will pay as an incentive to an employee who voluntarily moves from the Traditional Health Plan to the Blue Card PPO the sum of $5,000 in three installments: $3,000 the first year to be followed by $1,000 payments the second and third years of enrollment in the PPO Plan. This payment will also be made to those members who are currently enrolled in the PPO plan and to any new employees who choose to enroll in the PPO coverage as provided by paragraph F.

F. Current employees who accept the incentive payment to move to the PPO, current employees who elect to remain in the PPO, and new hires who elect the PPO and accept payment will be permitted to enroll or re-enroll in the Traditional Plan after one (1) year at which time the employee will be required to pay the difference between the cost of the premium for the Traditional Plan and the PPO Plan. No further payment(s) will be made by the Township to any employee upon the employee’s enrollment or re-enrollment in the Traditional Plan.

G. Employees are eligible to participate fully in the Township’s Section 125 Plan as outlined in the Plan Documents and the Township’s adopted Policies and Procedures Manual adopted December 21, 2005.

Each employee will be paid an annual clothing allowance on a quarterly basis as approved by the Chief of Police. The clothing allowance shall be as follows:

Proposals for tuition payment should demonstrate (explain) in writing how the course will directly benefit the Township in terms of increased/improved performance of the individual and/or the department. This should be put in the context of an individual’s comprehensive education plan. This plan should be developed in conjunction with the employee’s immediate supervisor. The employee’s immediate supervisor should provide a letter of support/endorse/ sign off on the plan.

Should the total pre-approval requests for reimbursement exceed the budget the Township Committee has established for tuition reimbursement, the Personnel Subcommittee, in conjunction with the Administrator will prioritize the requests and may deny, defer or opt to partially fund a pre-approval request. For example, if an employee requests reimbursement for two classes, in order to allow other employees access to this benefit within the constraints of the budget, the Committee may only approve one class for that budget year.

In order to provide for adequate budget planning, employees should submit their written request for pre-approval of course work and tuition reimbursement to the Township Administrator no later than September 1 for consideration and inclusion, if approved by the Personnel Subcommittee, in the budget for the following year. All reimbursements are subject to sufficient budget appropriations. Approval of requests submitted after September 1 is subject to availability of funds.

The reimbursement per credit will be referenced against the per credit rate in effect at Rutgers, the State University, at the time the course is taken.

The Township’s contribution shall be based on the accompanying schedule. The college tuition reimbursement will be a percentage of the net cost to the employee less any scholarship or other financial assistance available to the employee as follows.

College Tuition Reimbursement Schedule

Course Grade of "C" = 50% of Tuition Cost

Course Grade of "B" = 75% of Tuition Cost

Course Grade of "A" = 100% of Tuition Cost

Employees will also be eligible for reimbursement of up to $100 for books required for each approved class. All reimbursements are subject to submission of appropriate documentation of costs.

The reimbursement must be repaid if the employee leaves Township of Harding employment within twelve (12) months of receipt of such reimbursement.

Effective January 1, 1994, an annual $5.00 per credit per year compensation will be paid employees who have received an accredited degree, in a job related course of study. Such compensation shall not exceed 120 credits or $600.00 per year.

The annual compensation of $5.00 per credit shall be paid in two installments. The first shall be due and payable on July 1 and the second on December 1.

All members of the Harding Township Police Department shall be subject to emergency call to duty, at the discretion of the Chief of Police, or the Chief Administrative Officer of the Township, if the Chief of Police is unavailable.

Management rights are not subject to Arbitration. All rights not set forth, which are management rights, are not waived by the failure of the Township Committee to exercise them.

Proposed new rules or modifications of existing rules governing working conditions shall be negotiated with the majority representative before they established. The Township agrees that all terms and conditions of employment relating to the status of its Police Officers shall be maintained at the same or substantially equivalent standards in effect as specified in the parties' Agreement.

This agreement incorporates the entire understanding of the parties on all matters, which were or could have been the subject of negotiations. During the term of this Agreement neither party shall be required to negotiate with respect to any such matter whether or not covered by this Agreement and whether or not within the knowledge or contemplation of either or both of the parties at the time they negotiated or executed this Agreement.

a. All health and life insurance benefits in effect at the time of the members’ retirement. This to be received until such time as the member becomes eligible for these coverage’s by any pension, state, or federal program which for any reason, assumes the responsibility of said coverage’s.

The PBA Delegate will be given the time off with pay, to attend all state PBA meetings. The Delegate will provide the Chief of Police with sufficient notice of said meetings to enable the scheduling of manpower.

Whenever any document is placed in an employee's personnel file, a copy shall be made available to him, and he shall be given the opportunity to rebut it if he so desires and he shall be permitted to place said rebuttal in his file.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused these presents to be signed and sealed as of the day and year written below.

ATTEST: TOWNSHIP OF HARDING

Date signed: 2006

ATTEST: POLICEMEN'S BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION, LOCAL NO. 340

Date signed: 2006

	1/1/05 Adjusted for Holiday Pay already Paid in 2005	1/1/05	1/1/06	1/1/07	1/1/08
PATROL OFFICER
PROBATIONARY	27,605	28,710	29,858	31,052	32,294
STEP 1	36,806	38,278	39,809	41,402	43,579
STEP 2	42,940	44,658	46,444	48,302	50,234
STEP 3	63,856	66,410	69,067	71,829	74,703
STEP 4	68,768	71,519	74,379	77,354	80,449
STEP 5	73,731	76,680	79,748	82,938	86,255
STEP 6	78,652	81,799	85,070	88,473	92,012
SERGEANT
STEP 1	81,996	85,276	88,687	92,235	95,024
STEP 2	84,729	88,119	91,644	95,309	99,121