Township retirees’ benefit payouts total $492,481

Commissioners authorize major recreation field renovation

The North Bergen Board of Commissioners on Wednesday authorized payments to seven retiring town employees and police supervisors for accrued, unused benefits. They also awarded a contract for renovations to the 64th Street recreation fields.
The retiring employees collected sick time and vacation time in the combined total amount of $492,481. A portion of this amount will be paid in a second installment in January of next year.
Among the retirees were Bernadette Paul Gonyou, a lieutenant and first woman to ever serve as North Bergen police officer. She received $49,712 and $25,097 in sick and leave time, respectively.

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Seven employees from the municipality retired, collecting sick time and vacation time.
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Also retiring from the police force is Capt. Robert Hovan, receiving $73,109 and $84,911 in sick and leave time, respectively. Lt. Bruce Sonvico, a police officer for more than 25 years, received $73,109 and $68,298 in sick and leave time, respectively.
Also retiring was an office manager for the Health Department who received $12,215 and $13,573 in sick and vacation time, respectively. A public safety employee received $3,706 in vacation time.
Besides routine reappointments, an ordinance was adopted setting the salary ranges of various departments and positions within the town. Among the inclusions was the township attorney, who will receive between $100,000 and $221,000.

Recreation renovations

The Board of Commissioners awarded a contract to Andy Matt, Inc. of Mine Hill in the amount of $84,730 for maintenance to the recreation department fields on 64th street.
The maintenance will include clearing the field site and installing infield clay mix and bases. Many of the facilities at the recreation department were built from the ground up by volunteers (see our Dec. 11 story).

Other affairs

The board passed a resolution rescheduling the time of the Jan. 25 commissioners’ meeting. It will now start at 11 a.m. rather than 8 p.m.
The mayor and commissioners also passed a resolution authorizing an “interlocal” agreement to share a health officer with the town of Harrison. The officer, Richard J. Censullo, will provide services to Harrison for a minimum of two years, for which Harrison will pay North Bergen $50,000 per year.
A resolution was passed retaining McNerney & Associates, Inc. of Glen Rock for property appraisal. The company will be paid according to the value of the properties assessed in a range from $2,000 to $5,000 per property.
Two resolutions were also passed awarding contracts to P.R.S. Consultants, Inc. of Manchester a total of $17,270. The firm has been retained to provide the town with a substance abuse counselor.
Stephen LaMarca may be reached at slamarca@hudsonreporter.com.

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