Mayor Pasquale Menna has concluded that the public is opposed to the continuation of healthcare coverage for elected and appointed officials, and will waive the benefit for himself if the council doesn’t eliminate it.
“If the recommendation by the [council finance] committee is to maintain the benefits, something I don’t think is defensible from a public policy standpoint, I will individually opt out,” Menna told redbankgreen last week.
Led by freshman Councilman Michael DuPont, the finance committee recently began looking into why the benefit was adopted by the borough some 20 years ago, how widespread its use is among New Jersey towns, and what it costs.
DuPont said he hasn’t yet found definitive data, but it appears that about 80 percent of the state’s municipalities offer the coverage to electees.
As for the cost, DuPont said that, combined with the salaries paid to the mayor and council, the coverage sets back each borough taxpayer six cents a day, or just under $22 a year.
The average local-purposes residential tax bill is estimated this year at $1,556.
“I’m not saying that it’s not worthy of discussion, but I do know that we have a lot more important things to address,” DuPont told redbankgreen last week. “But it’s an issue that’s been asked of me that I think needs to be investigated.”
Menna, though, said continuing the coverage would fly in the face of a growing public feeling.
“The consensus out there is that elected officials should not be receiving health benefits as part of their remuneration pacakage — that’s the reality,” Menna said. “And if that’s the case, as I said during the election campaign, we have an obligation to reflect the consensus of the community, and I don’t think that should be maintained.”
Menna’s stance could put him at odds with his four fellow Democrats on the council: DuPont, R.J. Bifani, Art Murphy and Council President Sharon Lee. Bifani indicated last year that the benefit should be revisited, but only Republican John Curley has been vocal in opposing the coverage, and does not accept it personally. We don’t yet know where Councilwoman Grace Cangemi, who was sworn in two weeks ago, stands. [Update: See Cangemi comment, below.]
DuPont has asked the New Jersey League of Municipalities for comparative data, but so far hasn’t received it. Nor does he yet have a firm grasp on why the council instituted the coverage about two decades ago. But he says there is a “philosophical” rationale for the benefit.
“We don’t want to allow a situation where people who are wealthy or retired or people who have time on their hands to be the only ones running for council,” he said. “You want to attract everyone.”
Menna agrees that “the worst thing that could happen” is that only “silver-spoon” types wind up on the council.
“But, by and of itself, I don’t believe that the availability or lack of availability of health benefits would convince a person to run or not run for public office,” he said.
So far, the coverage issue has been kept alive largely by resident Gary Morris, who appears at nearly every council session to chide the panel about it.
We asked DuPont if he thought Morris had single-handedly kept the issue alive. “I think that’s a fair statement,” he said.
At the moment, though, the issue hasn’t yet come to the table in the form of a formal seconded motion, and its not clear if it will once the finance committee has made a recommendation.
As mayor, Menna wouldn’t have a vote on the matter except in the case of a tie.
“I’ll defer on taking any personal action until [the finance committee] comes up with a recommendation ” he said. “If I don’t agree with it, I’m not going to grandstand on it.”
A sole practitioner of law, Menna says he doesn’t have health insurance through his business.
I would like to take this opportunity to make it abundantly clear that I have declined health care coverage. When I was appointed, I made the following comment on Red Bank Green: When I campaigned, I promised to decline health care coverage. Health insurance is an extremely significant portion of my annual income, a burden that for me, like so many others, is difficult to afford. As a member of a community that is, as a whole, overburdened by rising insurance costs, I will not add to the burden by asking our taxpayers to pay for my coverage.
Since that time, I have signed the waiver declining coverage and also stated at my first council meeting that I would opt out of this benefit. I encourage the council to continue examining this issue. I am heartened by the mayor's position and look forward to seeing this issue resolved to the satisfaction of our Red Bank residents.
Well good for you Mr. Mayor, you are to be applauded you for your decision. I can say quite honestly that I am proud to have you as the mayor of My town. One can only hope that now RJ Biffani, Sharon Lee, Council man DuPont and Councilman Art Murphy will do the same.. Okay so its only $22.00 per family some of you may say, not I. Its three bags of diapers Its 4 cans of formula or 7 gallons of milk or whatever the samhill we decide to spend it on, it doesn't matter, its ours, not yours. Period!
But, Mr. Mayor after this statement, "Menna agrees that "the worst thing that could happen" is that only "silver-spoon" types wind up on the council" how would you describe yourself and others on the council? The job of councilperson has attracted, as I see it, a wealthy business man with interests in property and his family business, a builder of homes in and around the borough, three attorneys one car salesman and one fund raiser. Certainly one would not begrudge you or the others on the council the success that you have all had, and I do not believe that the benefits have made one or two of you millionaires, but if you all truly cared about the escalating property taxes of our town you would or should have decided against taking them. You have all seen the budget and do knew damn well that this was a cost that could be dropped. I understand like no out there what it is like to have no health coverage for my children, and thank God at the time for the VNA. but now I can say honestly that I am aghast at the statement of one of our council members, who by most standards is extremely wealthy, that they (benefits), should be revisited. I think that this will become an extreme issue at the door to door politicking and what ever towns meeting they attend during this coming election.
Said it before and Ill say it again, Shame.
At our last council meeting Gary Watsons huge raise was discussed, over 10%.This was justified by all the jobs that he does now for the borough. "He has been trained" said one council man, for these jobs, "he made other workers go with him to the training sessions " said the same councilman (Bifanni). Well, councilman, if they were trained to do these jobs, why don't we just let them do them instead of putting all the weight on Gary's shoulders. we have pensions and healthcare already established with them so there is no additional cost, and certainly they are more than competent, because Rj bifani, you have already said such, so lets save another $10,000 and deny that raise. I would much rather it go towards another police officer or property tax relief. Three assistants could run public works, parking and HELP parks and recreation. And once again if another town came in for him (as was mentioned last time),we wouldn't be missing that much because as RJ said, he has helped train others to fill those needs.
Mr. Menna: I'm thoroughly impressed. That is true leadership!
Kudos to Mayor Menna for acknowledging the concerns of the residents of Red Bank regarding health care and acting on that acknowlegement. We can only hope that those who have not given up their benefits will do so in recognition of the fact that the job they campaigned to win makes them responsible for putting the good of the residents above any other consideration. I cannot agree with the suggestion that no one but "silver-spoons" will run for public office if health benefits are not offered. In the last two years in Red Bank alone we have seen Kaye Ernst, Grace Cangemi and John Curley run for various offices incuding mayor. None of them demanded health care benefits or any other benefit. This gives proof to the fact that there are many people (no matter what their income may be) who would run for office because they gain something else from the experience which is important to them. That could be the experience of being a public servant, working on behalf of the townspeople, having the opportunity to help shape the town, or beginning or expanding a political career.
I agree with Gary that more can be done to trim the town's budget. Small savings in a variety of areas add up to big gains for the residents via lowered tax bills. I am certain we can have a nice town without forcing people to move out or breaking our backs with taxes and the increased costs of living or doing business in Red Bank.
my thought here (again)! is that perhaps we wont see Sharon lee or RJ Biffani give up anything until the election is real close, that they in all likelihood do not care that much until they need votes, then they will come out and say…."look we have given them up, for you the people of Red Bank, see we do care about you" malarkey indeed