HOBOKEN – The Police Department complained yesterday that while the city was announcing three dozen layoffs, two mayoral aides in Hoboken received substantial raises the same week – one a $15,000 raise.
Last week, Mayor Dawn Zimmer announced that to save money, 18 people will be laid off in City Hall, 18 more in the Police Department, and more than a dozen police demoted.
When asked to respond to the complaint yesterday, Mayor Dawn Zimmer responded thusly:
Overall, Administrative costs for the Mayor’s office and the Business Administrator’s office have been reduced by more than 20 percent. Current salary levels total $453,000 compared to $617,000 under the previous Administration.
Juan Melli, responsible for print, online, and new media communications, replaced Paul Drexel, a provisional employee. Mr. Melli did not receive a raise, but agreed to work for a lower salary than initially agreed upon until the end of the fiscal year because of Hoboken’s budgetary constraints. His agreed upon salary of $75,000 is approximately equal to Mr. Drexel’s compensation package, and his scope of work is substantially broader. In fact, Mr. Melli’s new media expertise saves the city from having to outsource for web site management.
Dan Bryan, my confidential aide, who essentially performs the functions of a chief of staff, received a raise from $35,000 to $46,100. The individual who held the chief of staff position previously for the prior Administration was paid $125,000.What do you think? Comment below.