22
AGREEMENT
Between
Borough of Mountain Lakes
And
Mountain Lakes Policemen’s Benevolent Association
Local 310
Effective:
January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068430" WITNESS PAGEREF _Toc131068430 \h 3
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068431" SECTION I - APPLICABILITY PAGEREF _Toc131068431 \h 3
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068432" SECTION II – GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE PAGEREF _Toc131068432 \h 3
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068433" SECTION III – REPLACEMENTS PAGEREF _Toc131068433 \h 5
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068434" SECTION IV – UNION DUES PAGEREF _Toc131068434 \h 5
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068435" SECTION V – PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS PAGEREF _Toc131068435 \h 6
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068436" SECTION VI – PERSONNEL FILES PAGEREF _Toc131068436 \h 6
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068437" SECTION VII – SEPARABILITY & SAVINGS PAGEREF _Toc131068437 \h 6
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068438" SECTION VIII – FULLY BARGAINED AGREEMENT PAGEREF _Toc131068438 \h 6
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068439" SECTION IX – MANAGEMENT RIGHTS PAGEREF _Toc131068439 \h 7
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068440" SECTION X – PROBATIONARY STATUS PAGEREF _Toc131068440 \h 8
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068441" SECTION XI – WORK WEEK & OVERTIME PAGEREF _Toc131068441 \h 8
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068442" SECTION XII – HOLIDAY PAY PAGEREF _Toc131068442 \h 10
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068443" SECTION XIII – SICK LEAVE PAGEREF _Toc131068443 \h 10
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068444" SECTION XIV – VACATION TIME PAGEREF _Toc131068444 \h 11
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068445" SECTION XV – COURT TIME PAGEREF _Toc131068445 \h 11
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068446" SECTION XVI – HEALTH BENEFITS PAGEREF _Toc131068446 \h 12
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068447" SECTION XVII – LIFE INSURANCE PAGEREF _Toc131068447 \h 14
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068448" SECTION XVIII – PAY PERIOD PAGEREF _Toc131068448 \h 14
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068449" SECTION XIX – SALARIES PAGEREF _Toc131068449 \h 14
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068450" SECTION XX – EDUCATION BENEFITS PAGEREF _Toc131068450 \h 15
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068451" SECTION XXI – CLOTHING ALLOWANCE PAGEREF _Toc131068451 \h 16
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068452" SECTION XXII – SEVERANCE PAY PAGEREF _Toc131068452 \h 17
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068453" SECTION XXIII – PERSONAL DAYS PAGEREF _Toc131068453 \h 17
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068454" SECTION XXIV – MISCELLANEOUS PAGEREF _Toc131068454 \h 17
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068455" SECTION XXV – TERM AND RENEWAL PAGEREF _Toc131068455 \h 17
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068456" ATTACHMENT A – PAY SCHEDULE PAGEREF _Toc131068456 \h 19
HYPERLINK \l "_Toc131068457" ATTACHMENT B – SALARY GUIDE PAGEREF _Toc131068457 \h 20
WITNESS
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 303 of the Laws of 1968 of the State of New Jersey, the Representative submitted itself as bargaining on behalf of all regular police personnel of the Police Department of the Borough of Mountain Lakes, exclusive of the Chief, and
WHEREAS, Mountain Lakes recognized the said Representative as bargaining for Patrolmen, Sergeants, and Lieutenants of the police Department, and
WHEREAS, collective bargaining negotiations were held between Mountain Lakes and the Representative which did result in mutual agreement,
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration for services performed by members of the Police Department of the Borough of Mountain Lakes, and the mutual covenants herein contained it is agreed as follows:
This Agreement, made and entered into this day of , 2023, by and between the Borough of Mountain Lakes, a municipal corporation of the County of Morris and State of New Jersey, (hereinafter designated “Mountain Lakes”) and Mountain Lakes Policemen’s’ Benevolent Association Local 310 (hereinafter designated “Representative”).
SECTION I - APPLICABILITY
The provisions of this Agreement shall apply only to sworn police officers of the Police Department of the Borough of Mountain Lakes, except the Chief of Police.
SECTION II – GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE
To provide for the expeditious and mutually satisfactory settlement of grievance arising with respect to complaints occurring under this Agreement, the following procedures shall be used.
The term ‘grievance’ means any complaint, difference, or dispute between the employer and any employee with respect to the interpretation, application or violation of any provisions of this Agreement or any applicable rule or regulation or policies, agreements, or administrative decisions affecting the terms and conditions of any employee covered by this Agreement.
The aforementioned definition of ‘grievance’, after Step One, shall be limited to disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the collective bargaining agreement. Only grievances meeting this definition will be “grievable” beyond Step One.
An officer can appeal any proposed suspension in accordance with State Statute. The procedure for settlement of a grievance shall be as follows:
A. STEP ONE
1. In the event that any employee covered by this Agreement has a grievance, within ten (10) working days of the occurrence of the event being grieved, the employee shall present the grievance in writing to the Chief of Police or the Officer in charge of the Department in the event of the Chief’s absence. The Chief of Police or the Officer in charge of the Department in the Chief’s absence shall meet with and respond in writing to the grievant within ten (10) working days of the grievance being filed for the purpose of attempting to resolve any grievance not covered under the limited definition.
B. STEP TWO
1. If the Officer filing the grievance or the Officer’s Representative desire to appeal the decision of the Chief of Police, or the Officer in charge if the Chief is absent, the appeal shall be presented in writing to the Borough Manager within ten (10) working days after receipt of the Chief’s decision or the decision of the Officer in charge or within ten (10) working days after the Chief’s decision was due, whichever is earlier. The presentation shall include copies of all previous correspondence relating the matter in dispute. The Borough Manager may give the Officer or his Representative the opportunity to be heard and will give his decision in writing within twenty (20) working days of the receipt of the written appeal.
C. STEP THREE
1. If no satisfactory resolution of the grievance is reached at STEP TWO, within five (5) working days after the receipt of the Borough Manager’s decision or within five (5) working days after the Manager’s decision was due, whichever is earlier, the PBA must submit the grievance to the Public Employment Relations commission (PERC) for the selection of an Arbitrator, pursuant to the rules of said Commission. The decision of the Arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the parties. The expenses of such arbitration shall be borne equally by the parties.
a. The Arbitrator shall be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and by the applicable laws of the State of New Jersey and laws of the United States and decision of the courts of the State of New Jersey and the courts of the United States. The Arbitrator shall not have the authority to add to, modify, detract from or alter in any way the provision of this Agreement or any amendments, or supplement hereto, but only to interpret such Agreement. The Arbitrator must address only the issue submitted to arbitration and shall not have the authority to determine any other issues not so submitted, nor shall the Arbitrator render observations or declare opinions which are not essential in reaching a determination. The parties direct the Arbitrator to decide, when asked, as a preliminary question, whether he had jurisdiction to hear and decide the matter in dispute. In rendering his/her written decision, the Arbitrator shall indicate his/her finding of fact and reasons for making the award. The Arbitrator must render his/her award in writing within thirty (30) days after the last day of the hearing. The arbitrator must set forth the rationale for his/her decisions in the award.
2. It is agreed between the parties that no arbitration hearing shall be held until after the expiration of at least thirty (30) days after the decision rendered by the Borough Manager.
3. The cost of the Arbitrator shall be borne equally by the parties, but each party shall be responsible for such other costs as they may incur.
D. Employees covered by this Agreement shall have the right to process their own grievance without representation.
E. If the Borough fails to communicate its decision within the time limit specified, the grievance shall be deemed denied and the aggrieved party may proceed to the next step of the grievance procedure. In addition, if an Officer or his Representative fails to proceed to the next step of the grievance procedure within the specified time limits, this will constitute an abandonment of the grievance.
SECTION III – REPLACEMENTS
A. No full-time employee covered by this Agreement shall be replaced by any non-police officer, part-time or other personnel.
B. No post presently filled by a full-time employee covered by this Agreement shall be covered by any non-police officer, part-time or other personnel.
SECTION IV – UNION DUES
A. Deductions shall be made for membership dues and initiation fees to the PBA, from the first paycheck of the employee, after the completion of the trial period and upon receipt by the PBA and the Borough, of the individual’s written authorization and semi-monthly thereafter.
B. The deductions shall be remitted to the PBA not later than the 30th day of the following month.
C. The Borough shall furnish the PBA monthly records of those, for whom deductions have been made and the amounts thereof.
D. Any monies deducted from the employees are to remain the property of the PBA, and in no event shall the Borough be permitted to use said monies for any purpose.
E. The PBA shall indemnify and hold the Borough harmless against liability which may arise because of actions of the Borough in deduction and transmission of the union membership dues and/or initiation fees. The Borough will make available to the PBA any information within its control for which the PBA would have reasonable need to defend against such liability.
SECTION V – PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS
A. The Borough of Mountain Lakes agrees that all benefits, terms and conditions of employment relating to the status of the Borough of Mountain Lakes Police Officers, which benefits, terms and conditions of employment are not specifically set forth in this Agreement, shall be maintained at not less than the highest standards in effect at the time of the commencement of collective bargaining negotiations between the parties leading to the execution of this Agreement.
B. Unless a contrary intent is expressed in this Agreement, all existing benefits, rights, duties, obligations and conditions of employment applicable to any Police Officer pursuant to any rules, regulations, instruction, directive, memorandum, statute or otherwise shall not be limited, restricted, impaired, removed or abolished.
SECTION VI – PERSONNEL FILES
Whenever a written complaint concerning an officer or his actions is to be placed in his personnel file, a copy shall be made available to him and he shall be given the opportunity to rebut it if he so desires.
SECTION VII – SEPARABILITY & SAVINGS
If any portion of this Agreement is found to be illegal, that portion of the Agreement will be dropped, and the remainder of the Agreement will remain in full force and effect.
SECTION VIII – FULLY BARGAINED AGREEMENT
This Agreement represents and incorporates the complete and final understanding and settlement by the parties of all bargaining issues which were or could have been the subject of negotiations. During the term of this Agreement, neither party will be required to negotiate with respect to any such matter, whether or not covered by this Agreement, whether or not within the knowledge or contemplation of either or both parties at the time they negotiated or signed this Agreement.
SECTION IX – MANAGEMENT RIGHTS
A. The Borough hereby retains and reserves unto itself, with limitations, all powers, rights, authority, duties and responsibilities conferred upon and vested in it prior to the signing of this Agreement by the laws and Constitutions of the State of New Jersey and of the United States, including, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following rights:
1. The executive management and administrative control of the municipality, its properties and facilities, and activities of its Employees, personnel methods and means of the most appropriate and efficient manner possible, as may, from time to time be determined by the Employer.
2. To make rules of procedure and conduct; to use improved methods and equipment; to determine reasonable work schedules, shifts, duties; to decide the number of Employees needed at any particular time; and to be in sole charge of the quality and quantity of work required.
3. Management’s right to make reasonable rules and regulations as it may from time to time deem best for the purpose of maintaining order, safety and/or the effective operation of the Department after advance notice to the Employees and to require compliance by the Employees.
4. To hire all employees, whether permanent, temporary or seasonal, to promote employees in accordance with stated procedures, and to transfer, assign or retain Employees.
5. To set the rate of pay for temporary or seasonal Employees.
6. To suspend, demote or take any other appropriate disciplinary actions against any Employee for good and just cause according to law.
7. To lay off Employees in the event of lack of funds or under conditions where continuation of such work would be inefficient or non-productive. Any layoffs shall be based upon seniority.
8. The Employer reserves the right as to all other conditions or employment not reserved to make such changes as it deems desirable and necessary for the efficient and effective operations of the Department(s) involved.
B. In the exercise of the foregoing powers, rights, authority, duties, and responsibilities of the Employer, the adoption of policies, rules, regulations and practices in the furtherance therewith, and the use of judgement and discretion in connection therewith, shall be limited only by the specific and expressed terms hereof in conformance with the laws and Constitution of the State of New Jersey and of the United States, and the contract between the Borough of Mountain Lakes and the PBA.
C. Nothing contained herein shall be construed or deny the Employer of its rights, responsibilities and authority under R.S. 40A:1-1, et seq., or any national, state, county or local laws or regulations.
SECTION X – PROBATIONARY STATUS
A. The members of the police force with probationary status shall be covered by any of the terms of this Agreement. Probationary periods of newly hired officers shall begin on the date of appointment and shall continue for one year.
B. Upon completion of the Officer’s probationary period, the Chief of Police will advise the Borough Manager of the completion of the Officer’s probationary period and at that time provide the Borough Manager with a recommendation to continue or discontinue the Officer’s employment with the Borough.
C. Probationary Patrolmen/Trainees and Probationary Patrolmen may be terminated with or without cause. Any employee discharged during the probationary period shall not have recourse to appeal and/or grieve their removal through the grievance procedure set forth in this collective negotiations agreement.
SECTION XI – WORK WEEK & OVERTIME
A. Sworn Officers covered under this Agreement who are working a 12 hour schedule shall receive Schedule Adjustment Time for any hours they are scheduled to work beyond 2080 hours annually. The hours will be calculated by the Scheduling Officer at the beginning of the calendar year and added to the Officer’s vacation time for that year. In the event that an Officer retires or leaves the agency prior to the completion of the year, the hours will be adjusted to reflect only those additional hours that the Officer worked during his final year.
B. The Chief of Police or his designee shall reserve the right to change the yearly schedule by providing the PBA notification sixty (60) calendar days prior to the change taking effect. In the event of a change to an individual work schedule, the Officer shall be given no less than fifteen (15) calendar days’ notice of the change.
C. Fully Sworn Officers will be offered the opportunity to work overtime before special or part-time officers at the discretion of the Chief of Police.
D. Employees covered by this agreement will be compensated for all overtime worked. The Officer reserves the right to choose to be compensated with compensatory time or overtime. Overtime will be paid at 1.5 times the Officer’s current hourly rate. Overtime shall be computed in fifteen (15) minute increments. Compensatory time will be earned at a rate of 1.5 hours for each hour worked.
E. Recall: Any employee covered under this Agreement who is regaled to duty during the employee’s scheduled time off, shall be compensated at the rates outlined in subsection D of this section. In the case of a recall, the Officer will be guaranteed a minimum of 3 hours of overtime or 4.5 hours compensatory time at the Officer’s discretion. This guarantee shall not apply to work that is contiguous to a scheduled shift. Time contiguous to shift work will be compensated in fifteen (15) minute increments.
F. The Borough reserves the right to require an Officer to work for the duration of a three (3) hour recall.
G. The annual shift schedules shall be posted no later than January 1st of that year and must comply with subsection B of this section.
H. PBA Delegate(s):
1. The PBA Delegate shall be entitled to attend regular monthly meetings of the NJ State PBA, with a maximum of ten (10) meetings per calendar year. The PBA Delegate may also attend the Morris County Conference Meetings as long as doing so does not create overtime, unless approved by the Chief of Police.
2. The PBA Delegate shall be allowed to attend the Main PBA Convention and Mini PBA Convention annually. The PBA reserves the right to send an additional Officer designated by the PBA to the Main PBA Convention annually.
3. In the event that the PBA Delegate has a Monthly State PBA meeting the morning after a night shift, the Delegate may choose to finish his shift six (6) hours prior to the scheduled end of the shift. In the case where the Delegate is working the night shift both before and after the meeting, he may choose to leave his shift six (6) hours early the evening before the meeting or begin the next night’s shift six (6) hours after the scheduled start of this shift. If the Officer did not work the night prior to the meeting, but is working the night of the meeting, and has a Monthly State PBA meeting in which he must travel over 100 miles each way, he is entitled to start his night shift the evening of the meeting six (6) hours after his scheduled start of the shift. Any change to the shift must be submitted to the Scheduling Officer at least fifteen (15) days prior to the change.
I. Outside Details: Fully Sworn Officers will be afforded the opportunity to work Outside or Special Details before Special or Part-Time Officers in accordance with MLPD Policy.
1. Officers (Fully Sworn and Specials) working Outside or Special Details for vendors other than the Mountain Lakes Borough or the Mountain Lakes Board of Education will be paid a rate of based on 1.5 times the current year’s hourly rate for a Sergeant. Officer’s with an hourly rate higher than a Sergeant will be paid based on 1.5 times their individual hourly rate.
2. Officers will be guaranteed a minimum of four (4) hours for any Outside or Special Detail worked. In the event that a detail goes beyond four (4) hours, the officer shall be compensated in half (1/2) hour increments.
3. Two (2) hours’ minimum notice for any extra duty job cancellation must be provided by the contractor/vendor prior to the scheduled start time. Should the contractor/vendor fail to provide two (2) hours’ notice of a cancellation prior to the scheduled start time, the contractor/vendor shall be billed for the officer’s four (4) hour guaranteed minimum in accordance with the rates set forth in subsection I, 1. The officer in charge shall document in the department’s record management systems (RMS) the date/time of the call and who authorized the cancellation on the contractor’s/vendor’s part. Officers scheduled to work the shift shall be notified via telephone of the cancellation.
SECTION XII – HOLIDAY PAY
A. All members of the Mountain Lakes Police Department covered by this agreement shall be entitled to an Holiday Pay of thirteen (13) days for holidays.
B. Holiday pay will be added to annual salary and the total amount will be the base annual salary for all purposes including retirement.
C. Holiday pay shall be paid on each payday throughout the year by adding it to the calculated hourly rate.
Calculation of Holiday Pay
A. Holiday pay is calculated at thirteen (13) days at eight (8) hours per day for a total of one hundred and four hours (104) of holiday time. Officer’s salary hourly wage will be calculated by dividing the annual salary by two thousand and eighty hours (2,080), the equivalent of fifty-two (52) weeks at forty (40) hours per week. The one hundred and four hours (104) of holiday time will be multiplied by the Officer’s salary hourly wage to determine the total amount of holiday pay.
Base hourly wage will be calculated by adding the total annual salary and the total holiday pay and dividing by two thousand and eighty (2080) regular hours.
SECTION XIII – SICK LEAVE
All regular full time employees of the Borough of Mountain Lakes covered under this agreement shall be entitled to ten (10) sick days per year. Said sick leave days are not cumulative from year to year. Periods of sick leave over ten (10) days may be continued after review and approval by the Borough Manager.
SECTION XIV – VACATION TIME
All full-time sworn officers under this agreement shall be entitled to paid vacation time as follows:
Years of Service Hours of Vacation
Start of year One (1) through Five (5) 80 Hours
Start of year Six (6) through Ten (10) 120 Hours
Start of year Eleven (11) and over 120 Hours plus 8 hours per year of service over Ten (10) years. May not exceed 200 hours.
Vacation time is allocated on January 1st of each year. Officers hired after July 1st will be allotted 40 hours of vacation time in year one (1). The subsequent year will be considered the Officer’s first full year of service and he/she will be allotted the full amount of vacation as listed above. Officers hired between January 1st and June 30th shall receive 80 hours of vacation time during the year they were hired.
Banking of Unused Vacation Time
Officers with 14 years of service or less with the Borough of Mountain Lakes may carry over a maximum of 40 hours of unused vacation time each year to be used the following year.
Upon the completion of fifteen (15) years of service with the Borough of Mountain Lakes, Officers shall be allowed to carry and accrue unused vacation time annually up to a maximum of 200 hours plus any vacation time allocated to the officer during the current year. Upon retirement, the Officer will be paid for all unused vacation time in his bank (up to 200 hours plus the current year’s allocated unused vacation time) at the Officer’s currently hourly rate of pay. The maximum amount of hours the officer may be paid for upon retirement is 400 hours. Any additional amount or exception to the above must be approved by the Borough Manager.
Annual Buy-Back of Unused Vacation Time
Officers shall be entitled to sell back unused vacation time annually to the Borough of Mountain Lakes. The maximum amount of time which may be sold back is 40 hours per year (does not apply to the officer’s final year – see above). The Officer will be paid for the time at the Officer’s current hourly rate of pay.
SECTION XV – COURT TIME
It is agreed that whenever practical, Officers will be scheduled on duty when they are expected to appear in Court for a criminal or motor vehicle matter. It will be the intent of management to minimize off-duty Court appearances.
When required to appear in Court during off-duty hours, all compensation for such appearances shall be at the overtime rate with a minimum guarantee of three (3) hours of overtime compensation for each appearance.
SECTION XVI – HEALTH BENEFITS
A. Except as provided in paragraph B below, health insurance coverage provided through the New Jersey Health Benefits program, and the existing dental insurance plan, as provided by the Borough of Mountain Lakes at this time for all of its members, will continue to be in effect for all members of Mountain Lakes Police Department. The opt-out payment shall cease at that time.
B. Under the current State health benefits program, NJ Direct 10 or NJ Direct 15 or its equivalent, will be considered the Borough’s base coverage. All members are encouraged to join said program.
C. Any employee hired prior to July 28, 2011 choosing a plan other than NJ Direct 10 or NJ Direct 15 under the State health benefits program will be responsible for any additional costs assumed with a member/spouse or family plan. Those employees currently in NJ Direct 10 or NJ Direct 15 or its equivalent as of December 10, 2007, who choose a more costly plan, shall pay 20% for any difference in the dependent coverage under the more costly plan. Those employees currently in CIGNA HMO shall continue to have dependent coverage without cost. In the event these employees choose to switch to NJ Direct 10 or NJ Direct 15 or its equivalent and subsequently switch back to a more costly plan, they shall be subject to the 20% co-pay for the difference in dependent coverage. Employees hired after December 10, 2007 but prior to July 28, 2011 shall be covered exclusively by NJ Direct 10 or NJ Direct 15 or its equivalent. Equivalent shall be defined as a plan that the NJSHB may substitute as a replacement for NJ Direct 10 or NJ Direct 15.
D. Any officer hired after July 28, 2011 choosing a plan other than NJ Direct 15 will pay the difference in the cost of the NJ Direct 15 and the plan chosen if the plan selected has higher premiums then NJ Direct 15. The cost shall be paid via payroll deduction and may be paid through the Section 125 Pre-Tax Plan should the officer so elect. The premium differential payment required hereunder shall be in addition to any and all other healthcare contributions made by the officer pursuant to state statute or this agreement.
E. An employee who wishes to opt out of the Borough’s health insurance plan shall receive an annual payment, or pro-rated as the case may be, of 25% of the cost of the Borough’s base plan. Waivers of coverage and all terms and conditions for waivers, payment and reinstatements shall be governed by N.J.S.A. 52:14-17.31a. The parties agree that the decision of the Borough to allow its employees to waive coverage and the amount of consideration to be paid therefore shall not be subject to the collective bargaining process pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:10-17.1 and may be terminated or changed at any time at the sole discretion of the Borough of Mountain Lakes.
1. In the event that the Borough ceases to allow employees covered by the contract to waive coverage and/or in the event that the Borough changes the amount of consideration from the twenty-five percent (25%) provided for in this agreement, then the Borough and the PBA would meet to reopen and negotiate all terms of the collective negotiations agreement.
2. In the event that the Borough and the PBA are unsuccessful in negotiating the contract, then the parties agree that the entire collective negotiations agreement may be submitted for final and binding interest arbitration in accordance with the rules of the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission.
F. All officers covered by this Agreement shall be responsible for the payment of any and all contributions towards health benefits costs as are required by any New Jersey statute in effect as of the execution of this Agreement, specifically including, but not limited to, the provisions and requirements of P.L. 2020 Ch. 2 and P.L. 2011 Ch. 78.
G. Any Officer covered by this agreement, hired prior to July 28, 2011, who voluntarily opts out of NJ Direct 10 to a plan with a lower premium cost, such as NJ Direct 15, will receive the following financial incentive:
1. First Year of the change to a plan with a lower premium cost than that of NJ Direct 10, the Officer will receive $750.00.
2. In the second year after the change in coverage to a plan with a lower premium cost than that of NJ Direct 10, the officer will receive $750.00.
3. Commencing at the beginning of the third year after a change in coverage to a plan with a lower premium cost than that of NJ Direct 10, no further financial incentive shall be provided by the Borough.
H. Any Officer hired prior to July 28, 2011, who after switching to a lower premium cost plan than NJ Direct 10, chooses to opt back into NJ Direct 10, or its equivalent will be responsible to pay the difference in premium cost of NJ Direct 15 and the higher premium cost plan the Officer is opting into.
1. Subsection ‘C’ of Section IX is not applicable to any Officer who opts into a lower premium cost plan for a financial incentive as outlined in Subsections ‘G’ and ‘H’ of Section IX.
SECTION XVII – LIFE INSURANCE
The cost of the agreed upon group life insurance program will be borne, and the program will be maintained in force, by the Borough of Mountain Lakes. Coverage for all members of the Police Department included in this Agreement shall be one times annual base salary, not to exceed $50,000.00 for any employee.
SECTION XVIII – PAY PERIOD
The Borough of Mountain Lakes agrees to pay members of the Police Department with twenty-four (24) pay periods on the 15th and last day of each month, as set forth in the pay period schedule attached hereto as Attachment A.
SECTION XIX – SALARIES
All officers covered by this Agreement shall receive annual compensation in accordance with the salary guide attached hereto as Attachment B, which reflects the following salary increases for the period of this Agreement:
2023:
Retroactive to January 1, 2023, a 3.5% increase to the top-step patrol officer, sergeants, and lieutenants.
Retroactive to January 1, 2023, a 1.0% increase to patrol officers in all other steps except top step.
2024:
Effective January 1, 2024, a 3.5% increase to the top-step patrol officer, sergeants, and lieutenants.
Effective January 1, 2024, a 1.0% increase to patrol officers in all other steps except top step.
2025:
Effective January 1, 2025, a 3.5% increase to the top-step patrol officer, sergeants, and lieutenants.
Effective January 1, 2025, a 1.0% increase to patrol officers in all other steps except top step.
2026:
Effective January 1, 2026, a 3.5% increase to the top-step patrol officer, sergeants, and lieutenants.
Effective January 1, 2026, a 1.0% increase to patrol officers in all other steps except top step.
SECTION XX – EDUCATION BENEFITS
The intent of this section is to encourage all officers to continue their education towards attaining a college degree, in a specific Police Science, law enforcement, or other applicable curriculum. In furtherance of this policy, the Borough agrees to the following provisions:
A. Full reimbursement for the cost of books that are required by the institution for the approved course.
B. Reimbursement of the net cost of tuition based upon the following scale based on the Rutgers University per credit tuition for Criminal Justice majors:
1. 100% reimbursement with a final course grade of ‘A’.
2. 90% reimbursement with a final course grade of ‘B’.
3. 70% reimbursement with a final course grade of ‘C’.
4. 80% reimbursement for a passing course if a ‘pass/fail’ system of grading is utilized.
C. For Officers presently enrolled in a college program, tuition shall be reimbursed at 100% (without Rutgers cap) and also in accordance with Sub Paragraph 1,2, 3, and 4 only of Section (B) that refers to grades. Any officer who enrolls in a college program after this Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is signed, shall receive reimbursement subject to paragraph ‘B’.
Costs for the following items are not eligible for reimbursement: supplies (other than required books), parking, student activities, student facilities, etc.
D. The aforementioned reimbursement for the net cost of tuition shall be based upon the full cost of tuition less any scholarships, grants, or any other financial assistance received by the officer.
E. The aforementioned reimbursement program applies to courses taken towards the attainment of either an Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s Degree from an accredited State college or university, in a Police Science, law enforcement, or other applicable curriculum.
F. The Borough Manager may approve course work in a subject or field other than Police Science or law enforcement, if a direct benefit to the Police Department and Borough is demonstrated. This decision is solely at the discretion of the Borough Manager and the Manager’s approval must be given in advance of courses being started.
G. In order to be eligible for reimbursement, an officer must receive a final grade of ‘C’ or better in each course or receive a ‘passing’ grade if a ‘pass/fail’ system is used.
H. This reimbursement program does not apply to new officers who are in possession of a degree at the time of hire.
I. This reimbursement program does not include an annual payment for college credits earned and no amount of reimbursement will be included as part of an officers’ base pay.
J. This reimbursement program does not apply to any courses taken in basic police training program at a Police Training Academy.
K. Reimbursement for courses taken will be terminated if degrees are not awarded within the following time frames, starting with the first course taken – SIX (6) years for an Associate’s degree; TEN (10) years for a Bachelor’s degree. The Borough Manager may extend these time periods if circumstances warrant.
L. To qualify for any reimbursement provided herein, a purchase order must be submitted to the Borough in the form and in the manner prescribed for payment of all purchase orders, to which there must be attached the following:
1. A certificate or grade report from the institution, giving the title of the approved course and indicating the successful completion the course;
2. A certification from the officer indicating that no other payment for or reimbursement of the tuition costs have been or will be received, or a certification indicating the extent of any payment made or to be made, or reimbursement received or to be received;
3. Receipts for the costs of books purchased and required in connection with the approved course and documentation for the institute that the books were required for the course.
4. The reimbursements described herein shall be payable in the year in which the course(s) has (have) been successfully completed and final grades issued, but not prior to the adoption of the Borough budget each year.
SECTION XXI – CLOTHING ALLOWANCE
A. Each new employee shall receive from the Borough, free of charge in lieu of a clothing allowance, a complete uniform.
B. If the Borough decides to change the uniform or any part thereof, it shall provide, free of charge, any such changed items.
C. All officers acknowledge that after initial uniform issue, they are responsible for maintenance and purchase of uniforms.
SECTION XXII – SEVERANCE PAY
A. Any officer having ten (10) years continuance service or more from his date of hire as a full time employee of the Borough, and who thereafter is terminated from his job because of retirement or elimination of his job, shall be entitled to a severance pay of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each full year of service at the time of termination.
B. After twenty-five (25) years of continuous service [or twenty (20) years if the member is fifty-five (55) or more years of age] the member shall be entitled to Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for each full year of service when retiring for the above reasons.
C. Any member of the Police Department who may become permanently disabled in the line of duty so that he can no longer discharge his functions as Police Officers, or the next of kin of any member killed in the line of duty, shall receive Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per year for each full year of service, to the date of termination. In such cases, there shall be a minimum payment of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00). Severance pay referenced in this Article shall not be paid in the case of a termination of employment for cause.
SECTION XXIII – PERSONAL DAYS
Each employee shall be entitled to two (2) personal days off per year.
SECTION XXIV – MISCELLANEOUS
The current practice will continue of having at least two (2) officers assigned to road duty during a given shift.
SECTION XXV – TERM AND RENEWAL
A. This Agreement shall have a term from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2026. If the parties have not executed a successor agreement by December 31, 2026, then this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until a successor agreement is executed.
B. Negotiations for a successor agreement shall be in accordance with the rules of the Public Employment Relations Commission.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused these present to be signed and sealed the day and year first above written.
ATTEST: BOROUGH OF MOUNTAIN LAKES
By:
Borough Manager
Date
ATTEST: MOUNTAIN LAKES POLICEMEN’S BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION LOCAL 310
By:
President, Local 310
Date
ATTACHMENT A – PAY SCHEDULE
| Current Pay Date | Days Between Payrolls | Proposed Pay Date | Days Between Payrolls |
1/4/2023 |  | 1/4/2023 | |
1/13/2023 | 9 | 1/13/2023 | 9 |
2/1/2023 | 19 | 2/1/2023 | 19 |
2/15/2023 | 14 | 2/15/2023 | 14 |
3/1/2023 | 14 | 3/1/2023 | 14 |
3/15/2023 | 14 | 3/15/2023 | 14 |
3/31/2023 | 16 | 4/3/2023 | 19 |
4/14/2023 | 14 | 4/18/2023 | 15 |
5/1/2023 | 17 | 5/4/2023 | 16 |
5/15/2023 | 14 | 5/19/2023 | 15 |
6/1/2023 | 17 | 6/6/2023 | 18 |
6/15/2023 | 14 | 6/21/2023 | 15 |
6/30/2023 | 15 | 7/7/2023 | 16 |
7/14/2023 | 14 | 7/21/2023 | 14 |
8/1/2023 | 18 | 8/8/2023 | 18 |
8/15/2023 | 14 | 8/23/2023 | 15 |
9/1/2023 | 17 | 9/8/2023 | 16 |
9/15/2023 | 14 | 9/25/2023 | 17 |
9/29/2023 | 14 | 10/11/2023 | 16 |
10/13/2023 | 14 | 10/26/2023 | 15 |
11/1/2023 | 19 | 11/13/2023 | 18 |
11/15/2023 | 14 | 11/29/2023 | 16 |
12/1/2023 | 16 | 12/15/2023 | 16 |
12/15/2023 | 14 | 12/29/2023 | 14 |
ATTACHMENT B – SALARY GUIDE
Starting Salary
The Starting Salary for new Officers shall be in accordance with the following schedule:
A. Patrolman Trainee (Salary according to Step Guide)
B. Appointment as Probationary Patrolman (following completion of Academy, Salary according to Step Guide)
C. The Borough Manager reserves the right to place a new Officer at any level in the Step Guide based on the individuals work experience, education, etc.
Entry Level Steps
The entry level steps shall be in accordance with the following:
A. Patrolman/Trainee (from date of hire to successful completion of Academy)
B. Probationary Patrolman (from completion of Academy to successful completion of one (1) year of service or longer if recommended by the Chief of Police).
Step Guide
All new Officers will be Subject to the following:
A. For Officers hired before July 28, 2011, Top Patrolman step shall be reached at the completion of sixth (6th) year of service starting from the date of hire. Fore Officers hired after July 28, 2011, Top Patrolman step shall be reached at the completion of the eighth (8th) year of service, starting from the date of hire. For Officers hired after January 1, 2014, Top Patrolman step shall be reached at the completion of the tenth (10th) year of service, starting from the date of hire.
B. Annual salary increases for Patrolman in the step guide shall be at the discretion of the Borough Manager. There is intent to provide consistent annual step increases proportionate to the number of years remaining in the step guide. Step increases shall be received on the Patrolman’s anniversary date of hire.
C. The Borough Manager may, at his discretion, place a new hire and/or advance existing officers to any level of the step guide, based on the officer’s experience, level of training, performance, or education.
** For officers hired after January 1, 2014, the intention is to have Step increases coincide with the calendar year, therefore officers hired by the Borough of Mountain Lakes and subsequently put through the Police Academy will enter Step One (1) upon graduation from the Police
Academy and remain in Step One (10) for six (6) months in the case of a June graduation date or one (1) year in the case of a December graduation date. Officers hired by the Borough of Mountain Lakes after completing Police Academy training or officers previously employed by another jurisdiction will be placed/advanced at a level in the Step guide at the discretion of the Borough Manager.
Officers shall be compensated annually for each year of this Agreement in accordance with the following salary guide:
SALARY GUIDE 2023-2026 (Top: 3.5/3.5/3.5/3.5; Step: 1/1/1/1)
| Patrolman (Hired before 7/28/2011) | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| Academy | $59,978 | $60,578 | $61,184 | $61,795 | $62,413 |
| Step 1 | $68,375 | $69,059 | $69,749 | $70,447 | $71,151 |
| Step 2 | $76,771 | $77,539 | $78,314 | $79,097 | $79,888 |
| Step 3 | $85,168 | $86,020 | $86,880 | $87,749 | $88,626 |
| Step 4 | $93,565 | $94,501 | $95,446 | $96,400 | $97,364 |
| Step 5 | $101,961 | $102,981 | $104,010 | $105,051 | $106,101 |
| Step 6 | $110,358 | $111,462 | $112,576 | $113,702 | $114,839 |
| After completion of Step 6, Top Pay | $118,181 | $122,317 | $126,598 | $131,029 | $135,615 |
| Patrolman (Hired after 7/28/2011) | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| Academy | $59,978 | $60,578 | $61,184 | $61,795 | $62,413 |
| Step 1 | $66,509 | $67,174 | $67,846 | $68,524 | $69,210 |
| Step 2 | $73,040 | $73,770 | $74,508 | $75,253 | $76,006 |
| Step 3 | $79,571 | $80,367 | $81,170 | $81,982 | $82,802 |
| Step 4 | $86,103 | $86,964 | $87,834 | $88,712 | $89,599 |
| Step 5 | $92,634 | $93,560 | $94,496 | $95,441 | $96,395 |
| Step 6 | $99,165 | $100,157 | $101,158 | $102,170 | $103,191 |
| Step 7 | $105,696 | $106,753 | $107,820 | $108,899 | $109,988 |
| Step 8 | $112,227 | $113,349 | $114,483 | $115,628 | $116,784 |
| After completion of Step 8, Top Pay | $118,181 | $122,317 | $126,598 | $131,029 | $135,615 |
| Patrolman (Hired after 1/1/2014) | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| Academy | | $60,578 | $61,184 | $61,795 | $62,413 |
| Step 1 | $65,321 | $65,974 | $66,634 | $67,300 | $67,973 |
| Step 2 | $70,665 | $71,372 | $72,085 | $72,806 | $73,534 |
| Step 3 | $76,008 | $76,768 | $77,536 | $78,311 | $79,094 |
| Step 4 | $81,351 | $82,165 | $82,986 | $83,816 | $84,654 |
| Step 5 | $86,695 | $87,562 | $88,438 | $89,322 | $90,215 |
| Step 6 | $92,038 | $92,958 | $93,888 | $94,827 | $95,775 |
| Step 7 | $97,381 | $98,355 | $99,338 | $100,332 | $101,335 |
| Step 8 | $102,725 | $103,752 | $104,790 | $105,838 | $106,896 |
| Step 9 | $108,068 | $109,149 | $110,240 | $111,343 | $112,456 |
| Step 10 | $113,411 | $114,545 | $115,691 | $116,847 | $118,016 |
| After completion of Step 10, Top Pay | $118,181 | $122,317 | $126,598 | $131,029 | $135,615 |
| Ranking Officer | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| Sergeant | $134,736 | $139,451.76 | $144,332.57 | $149,384.21 | $154,612.66 |
| Lieutenant | $139,402 | $144,281.07 | $149,330.91 | $154,557.49 | $159,967.00 |
DOES NOT INCLUDE HOLIDAY PAY |
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