Vernon council approves PBA contract

VERNON — The Vernon Township and Policeman's Benevolent Association Local 285 have entered into a 4 year Collective Bargaining agreement after the council voted in favor of accepting the contract.

Over the last several months, Mayor Victor Marotta and the township administration have been in renegotiations as the current contract is set to expire at the end of this year.

The new contract will take effect Jan. 1, 2016.

“This contract gives the employees a 1 percenet raise each year for 4 years,” Marotta said. “This contract is one of the strongest I’ve seen in all my years in Vernon.”

The new contract will also allow employees to choose from insurance plans which are being credited with saving employees and the Township in premiums. The new contract is said to have no negative impact or financial hardship for the township taxpayers.

PBA officials said in a news release said they believe the contract is in the best interest of both the officers and Vernon Township taxpayers.