Mayor Menza halts purchases: ‘We can barely meet payroll’
August 21, 2009 | The HillsiderWhile the township has $1.1 million on account, a little more than $2 million is owed to the board of education, said Menza. The notoriously late township tax bills have not been mailed and once bills go out, the mayor said, payments won’t start coming in for at least three weeks. MORE
Filed under: » Township Hall
102 Responses to “Mayor Menza halts purchases: ‘We can barely meet payroll’”
By Happy Citizen on Aug 21, 2009 | Reply
Hooray to the Mayor for standing up to this lame town and the way it has been run for too many years. The time for change has come.
By jack w. on Aug 21, 2009 | Reply
Good move to the mayor; however, by state statute, the township or city council controls the “purse stings” of any municipality. This may end up being challenged. They mayor should have had his attorney study caselaw on this before acting.
Although the mayor is really not in control of the fiduciary responsibilities of a municipality, Mayor Menza would have been more effective if he put a hiring freeze in place and prevented the “tax and spend” council members from hiring their political cronies.
However, good luck to the mayor with the Charlotte appointee. They stop at nothing.
By onlyhillside on Aug 21, 2009 | Reply
thank you mayor Menza!!!!!!!
By Uncle Jerry, Mimi, Murphy, Rabbie & Sal on Aug 21, 2009 | Reply
From the politicker
” … With the support of the judicial system and the residents of Hillside behind him and knowing that the truth always finds its way to the forefront in even the most difficult of circumstances Menza will surely make steady progress in taking back, for the residents, control of their hometown…”
Bet the do nothings on Hollywood Ave are not happy !!
By conant1 on Aug 21, 2009 | Reply
good article in politickernj.com. all residents should read this. It captures 12 years of disfunctional government in Hillside. Now, we have a mayor who cares about the residents, not a political machine. Lets take our town back! Stay strong, mayor. the taxpayers are behind you.
By Uncle Jerry on Aug 21, 2009 | Reply
Yes indeed, most of those so called HFD captains have laughed over their pay scale (43% higher than the next Union county town), but you know what, its over, reform, cuts restucturing of the FD will be next,
Time to earn an honest living dudes !!
By rick on Aug 21, 2009 | Reply
what union county town is that?
By Perazim on Aug 21, 2009 | Reply
Any parent will tell you.When you have spoiled ungrateful children who don’t understand the concept of tough love you do the following.You send them to their room and take away their toys.Mr.Kulish “often referred to as the best Republican a Democrat can own” feels otherwise.He seems to not see the urgency or depth of the problem.Perhaps Mr.Kulish who feathered his own nest in self-serving real estate deals can come up with his own money to aid his heroes with reckless spending.It also should be noted that during these difficult times the council chooses vacation over problem solving.That’s real leadership that we can all use as a model for personal failure.The vacation decision is nothing more than a deriliction of duty.I strongly feel that Freedman and Bates would have nothing to do with this nonsence and the Charlotte loyalist should be thrown out for pulling such folly on the public.Mr.Menza is doing all the right things and he deserves your cotinued support.This has been a long time coming.
By Perazim on Aug 21, 2009 | Reply
Any parent will tell you.When you have spoiled ungrateful children who don’t understand the concept of tough love you do the following.You send them to their room and take away their toys.Mr.Kulish “often referred to as the best Republican a Democrat can own” feels otherwise.He seems to not see the urgency or depth of the problem.Perhaps Mr.Kulish who feathered his own nest in self-serving real estate deals can come up with his own money to aid his heroes with reckless spending.It also should be noted that during these difficult times the council chooses vacation over problem solving.That’s real leadership that we can all use as a model for personal failure.The vacation decision is nothing more than a deriliction of duty.I strongly feel that Freedman and Bates would have nothing to do with this nonsence and the Charlotte loyalist should be thrown out for pulling such folly on the public.Mr.Menza is doing all the right things and he deserves your continued support.This has been a long time coming.
By Tamie H on Aug 22, 2009 | Reply
Menza is on the right track,
King st is rocking, Hollywood ave is rocking, those who have taken from the taxpayers are near their end.
The HFD is soon to be re-built in line with whats appropriate for a town the size of Hillside.
Taxpayers just sit back support your Mayor and enjoy the results, imagine if you would a Fire Captain / D.Chief who earns a salary in line with the rest of Union County, not 43% higher !!
By life goes on on Aug 22, 2009 | Reply
Wow looks like Mayor Menza put the spending freeze on right on time Now Kulish and company will have to pay for there own vacations. I here Bermuda is nice
By Perazim on Aug 22, 2009 | Reply
Good call on spending freeze mr. mayor now we can all sit back and watch the town fall apart one piece at a time so then property’ll be cheap and be easy to buy and sell… hey wait a minute… does anyone know a good Realtor?
By rick on Aug 22, 2009 | Reply
what town make 43% lower then hillside? i would like to know. or is this just lies?better yet if any tax payers are interested in the answer just ask mayor menza if the d.chiefs and captains make 43% more then other union county depts,he will tel you no because its a lie. stop lying on this board. i bet there isnt a town that even makes 20% lower then hillside.
By joe on Aug 22, 2009 | Reply
anybody that bashes the hfd with lies is obviously some loser that took the test and was too stupid to pass a 3rd grade math question. you killed it buddy, everybody can see through you. you dont even post facts to back yourself. post some real data and back it with docs that can easiy be found online
By someone that cares on Aug 22, 2009 | Reply
I AGREE WITH JOE AND RICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By tee-17 on Aug 22, 2009 | Reply
when will the council stop the games and work with the mayor they seem to want hillside to go to the dogs before they will work with anybody that wants hillside back where it once was or is it just their silly pride that they would let hillside die before they would work with someone who,s not one of their clan? i hope that the mayor and the few on the council that want a hillside thats for the people get the rest to join and work for a better hillside don,t ruin it with you silly pride it,s a new day the old king street clan is over
By Perazim on Aug 23, 2009 | Reply
Beware the Perazim imposter
By joe on Aug 23, 2009 | Reply
I changed my mind. I just saw the salaries of the deputy chiefs and now realize they only work 1/3 of the year. 5 deputy chiefs? 2.3 chiefs per square mile? silly, isn’t it?
By Uncle Jerry, Mimi, Murphy Rabbie & Sal on Aug 23, 2009 | Reply
we can all change names to what ever we want on this site. why dont you just answer the question? WHAT TOWN MAKES 45% LESS THEN HILLSIDE FIRE?
your a sneak and a coward.. your father must think your a big waste of sperm. grow some balls and integrity.
and while your at it grow a brain. they work 48hrs per week more then you do. is this what the menza crew is about? Lies? deception?
I hope not, your prob just some groupie he tries to keep away from.
By Uncle Jerry, Mimi, Murphy Rabbie & Sal on Aug 23, 2009 | Reply
NOw i see why you didnt make it on the fire dept !!! its not that your dumb its that your a coward… i get it now… j/k your dumb too
By joe on Aug 23, 2009 | Reply
and whats silly is the whole 2.3 chief per sq mile argument. i mean IF they were all working at the same time, that woud be a good argument but theres only one chief on duty per day.
your not that bright, please dont try to debate with me your not even a challenge, all you rely on is lies and deception and name calling.
By joe on Aug 23, 2009 | Reply
again, I changed my mind. with all those deputy chiefs, we should have the cleanest fire engines in the county. but, than again, why does it take 4 neighboring towns to put out a fire in the basement of a townhouse on liberty avenue?????
By g on Aug 23, 2009 | Reply
Why does it take a cop coming back from vacation to have all the negative comments start again on this board. Hmmmm
By joe (the real one) on Aug 23, 2009 | Reply
that’s what I thought, you cant even answer one simple question.. you accuse the HFD of making 45% more then other towns and you cant even give us one example. people see right through you now pal and its not pretty. whats your next line going to be “you must be one of those d.chiefs making 150k+ bla blah delane bla bla pellitire bla bla” .. your old and everyone sees through your nonsence, run back into M&Ms because your embarassing yourself.
and in regards to other depts coming in its called mutual aid… like every town uses at every fire they have including elizabeth and union, which hillside goes to assist! all your proving is that the fire department is understaffed.
and in regards to “clean trucks” maybe they shouldn’t be cleaning there own trucks, they should do what the board of education does and hire outside private companies to take care of their maintenance instead of using BOE employees or at the very least the towns dept of public works. For those that don’t know im talking about the private landscaping companies that are hired to cut the grass of school properties. WASTE!
By kookfest on Aug 23, 2009 | Reply
The facts are: there are five D/Cs on the fire dept at $155,000 salary plus ot.Don’t let anyone BS you with the base number. That is not what is in your paycheck. They are working one day on and three days off for $155K plus.
There is also a fire chief making $175,000. Where in the real world does a high ranking public safety executive (fire d/c)work one day on and three days off? How much OT do these D/Cs make during the course of a year? When the D/C that is scheduled to work is off, I assume one of the other four have to fill in to command the shift. Fire department takes only two tests to attain the rank of D/C because there are no sgts, lts, or battalion chiefs. Nice!! One test and you are at police lts salary and second test you are at police d/c salary. What ever happened to the battalion chief rank which was the equivalent of police capt’s pay?
By joe(the real one) on Aug 23, 2009 | Reply
your right. theFD in Hillside is overpaid and underworked. Now, the mayor says you can’t get unlimited overtime and, long and behold, all the posts defending HFD! Tell billy boy his days are numbered. clean up his polluted gas station and act like a deputy fire chief!
By onlyhillside on Aug 23, 2009 | Reply
aren’t we getting off the beating path? the mayor says to watch your spending and the FD is defending their overtime. I guess we know what this is all about! NO O.T. FOR THE FD! What a delightful idea!!!!!!!!!!!
By joe on Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
actually your right we are getting off the topic. it all started with you posting that the hfd makes 45% more then other union county towns. thats a lie you still have not given one example because you know its a lie. you are trying to change the subject. just answer the question. you just keep adding one lie on to another and no one believes you anymore. its boring!
btw since officer kookfest is so worried about scheduling please answer why hilside police is the only dept in NJ to work a 5 day on 5day off schedule? sweet schedule
By The Sedated Mimi on Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
Checked the numbers reported for 2008:
One Hillside DC including OT $202.5K (others HFD DCs were + / - 186K with OT),
Elizabeth FD equalivalent (highest earner) $125.9K (61% difference !)
Union FD equalivalent (highest earner) - $134.5K (51% difference !)
Overall comparison to Union County difference is 43.1% - HFD highest earners in the County, smallest land mass !! - sorry Winfield Field park not included
For the HFD memebers who use the computers more on Hollywood Ave than actually work for the benefit of the townshiop please answer the question raised above, as follows:
” … why does it take 4 neighboring towns to put out a fire in the basement of a townhouse on liberty avenue? … “
By Perazim on Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
Bro, it takes the help of neighboring towns to put out a fire in Hillside because the FD is understaffed, bro. How is the town suppose to hire 5 more cops in the next 5 months with this freeze on funds? Anybody see my radio or gun? It was just here a minute ago.
By The Sedated Mimi on Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
Hillside police officer has pleaded guilty to stealing funds from a homeless prevention program.
Attorney General Anne Milgram says 32-year-old Vitor “Victor” Pedreiras is the 10th defendant to plead guilty in an investigation that uncovered widespread theft of funds from the program.
The defendants included two former employees of the state’s Department of Community Affairs, which oversees rent-assistance grants meant for families in danger of becoming homeless.
Pedreiras admitted to submitting fraudulent applications for nearly $15,000 in grants. His girlfriend, 27-year-old Joana Pereira has also pleaded guilty in the case.
Prosecutors are recommending a sentence of 364 days in jail for Pedreiras, who has been removed from the police force.
By caught you lying AGAIN on Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
didnt i tell you to stop lying… people dont believe you anymore especially when your get caught lying…LIAR LIAR PANTS ON FIRE
your losing credibility by the second .. if i were you i would stop now.. your again embarassing yourself.
*********************************************
below is just one of the SEVEN deputy chiefs in elizabeth
*********************************************
NJ Public Employees, 2008
Name WIRKUS, LATHEY
Location ELIZABETH CITY
Years of service (today)* 27.83 year(s)
Salary at location** $159,926
Total salary, all locations** $159,926
Number of public jobs 1
Fund name Police and Firemens Retirement System
**********************************************
below is Union FIRE DEPUTY CHIEF
**********************************************
NJ Public Employees, 2008
Name WIRKUS, TIM
Location UNION TOWNSHIP (UNION)
Years of service (today)* 25.58 year(s)
Salary at location** $172,332
Total salary, all locations** $172,332
Number of public jobs 1
Fund name Police and Firemens Retirement System
By The Valuim Packed MiMi on Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
Dude,
7 DCs in Elizabeth, 5 Dcs in Hillside, which is one sqare mile, correct ?, wow, does that scream for reform or what !!!!
By The Valuim Packed MiMi on Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
I wish I was Jude or Billy P. Instead I’m me, and we all know who I am. Like you couldn’t figure it out by now.
By Uncle Jerry, Mimi, Murphy, Rabbie & Sal on Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
MY MOM ALWAYS SAID, NEVER TELL THE TRUTH WHERE A LIE WILL FIT.
By caught you lying AGAIN on Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
and next ill post your salary and you know who you are officer
By kookfest on Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
You can post as many PD salaries as you want, the fire dept makes more money because they put in for OT at any opportunity.They make more money because they write checks to support the democratic party.Do you remeber when they rushed over to NYC to aid after 911? Admirable effort except for the fact that they all put in for OT and expected Hillside to foot the bill. The OT was denied by their own Chief(Caswell). Then they had the nerve to file a grievance.
Who do you think gets called out more the PD or FD? Go to the treasurers office and check the OT for superiors on the PD. I am sure(know) that they are not even near the fire deputies in terms of OT.
Your one FD D/C has QUITE A BIT OF OT.I guess he is invaluable to the township and King St. I don’t know the exact number, but I’m sure that you do.PS ADD in the monetary value of the township vehicle he has been commuting in for years. I don’t think you really want the public to see the real numbers.
By The Sedated Mimi on Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
Thats what you Mom said to me after every visit
By The Sedated Mimi on Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
Boy putting in for 911 OT that just screams DeLane, LOL !
By H on Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
Well you are the third highest paid employee in the township, and make more then all the fire deputies. isnt that enough for you?
By Rosie B on Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
3 DCs will start the year off, watch how the next few months go …
By The Sedated Mimi on Aug 24, 2009 | Reply
Also heard this, Menza wants DeLane out !
By concerned resident on Aug 25, 2009 | Reply
Its very sad that people post lies and mail lies for there own agenda. Why woud you lie about hfd salaries? why would you try to trick taxpayers at the expense of the people that risk there lives trying to protect us?
By Interested on Aug 25, 2009 | Reply
Normally I do not get involved in these stupid squabbles but I have to make an exception here. During 9/11 many members volunteered at ground zero and were not compensated in any way for their services. There was some overtime issued for a request from an FDNY Borough Commander to the Union County Mutual Aid command center for mutual aid. This request required a response of apparatus and manpower to stand by in various stations throughout the five boroughs for approximately 3 days. Upon the declaration of NYC as a disaster area by President Bush allowed many costs incurred in the response to and support of NYC to be reimbursed to the agencies supplying that support. ALL OVERTIME MONIES FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONSE TO THAT MUTUAL AID REQUEST WAS RECOVERED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT!!!!! When are you idiots going to ask real questions of the people who know the truth instead of the crackpots who don’t?
By The Valuim Packed MiMi on Aug 25, 2009 | Reply
So if the OT fund wasn’t established, I guess the HFD staff would have still been at ground zero, correct ?
By Interested on Aug 25, 2009 | Reply
They were there BEFORE the OT had even begun, and Chief Caswell never denied any OT for Ground Zero because NONE was submitted. In addition there was never a grievance filed for the denial of Ground Zero OT. Nice to know the truth isn’t it?
By The Sedated Mimi on Aug 25, 2009 | Reply
Good to hear, don’t you have a meeting with Volturo at 8,
Now we need to trim the department’s top level so it matches the structural make-up for a town our size. Can’t and won’t continue with the salaries reported at the top level, 5 DCs should have never happened and now some can’t survive.
By boston on Aug 25, 2009 | Reply
i really hope menza isnt endorsing these lies. he needs to get away from you people. your dirty and should be ashamed of yourselves.
By Interested on Aug 25, 2009 | Reply
Nope, don’t have a meeting with Volturo at 8 but I’ll tell you what, I’ll try to explain how your tax dollar is broken down so even you could understand whether you’re sedated or not Mimi.
60% Board of Ed
12% County
28% Municipal, listed in order of largest to
least budget;
1) Police
2) Fire
3) Public Works
4) Town Hall Staff
So the department you are screaming so loudly about is third from the bottom regarding budget
expenditures. And I know you don’t know jack about proper FD staffing levels as evident by your remarks, but if you would like to know what they are you can go to the Hillside Library and look it up in the NFPA Handbook. That is if you can climb out of your “VALUIM” bottle. Or better yet why don’t you just shut up and go back to bed.
By Taxpayer on Long Ave on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Mr.”Interested”, thanks your helping those on the board, could you please compare and reconcile Hillside to the numbers noted in Elizabeth, Union and Springfield (not including ambulance service).
Union Eliz Hill Spring
Firehouses #
DCs #
Captains #
Firefighters #
Firefighters per Captain
Land area (size)
# of calls in 2008
Calls requiring out of town
support …
# of calls were Hillside
supported other towns in 2008 …
By Interested on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
How about you compare the call volume, and by the way the only department you mentioned other than Hillside that provides 24 hour EMS is Union. And land area is not the only criteria for determining staffing which includes command and control. You also should go to the library and look it up in the NFPA Handbook. The Hillside Fire Department has been severely understaffed for years. Nice Try though.
By Taxpayer on Long Ave on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
So I guess the feedback will cause too much stir , anyone else out there willing to provide such data ?,
Thanks
By Interested on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Why don’t you want to include EMS calls? Do you think those calls handle themselves? That info won’t cause a stir, it will clear up a lot of bull though. Just curious, do you have cable TV?
What do you pay per month? I’ll bet you pay more for that then you do for Fire and EMS services.
By joe on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
well im glad you dont write the book on public safety, actually there are national standards and guidlines…you cannot use land mass when determining public saftey needs..
for example you mentioned springfield which has 5.2 sq mile. Hillside is HALF that size yet hillside police dept is almost 3 times the size of springfield police dept.
Its all relative to population, surrounding areas, urban and non urban, multi families, commercial industrial, highways and also the amount of manpower to begin handling a emergency…not land mass. and that goes for any public safety service including fire.
some more useful data of your example cities…
1. springfield = about 5.5 square miles at about 2500 people per square mile
2. union = about 10 square miles = about 5000 people per square mile
3. Elizabeth = about 14 sq miles = about 8500 people per square mile
4. Hillside = about 2.8 square miles = almost 8000 people per square mile (pretty close to the density of elizabeth!!!!) not to mention the highways (parkway, rt78, rt22, county parks, and commercial industry and multi families and illegal apartments, over crowded apartments and buildings. oh and lets not forget thet HILLSIDE FD provides EMS when the others dont.
theres alot more that goes into public safety then land mass. dont be silly. i wish i could get you more data but i dont know its not public record. i can only rationalize with what i know and data i have access to. i dont go by word of mouth like you do.
By Taxpayer on Long Ave on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for your input, I know the Major’s Auditing Firm is compiling such data as we speak, findings and related recommendations should be released during late Q4.
By Interested on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Hope the “Major” is auditing all departments instead of concentrating on only the Fire Department.
By Taxpayer on Long Ave on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Understand your popular outspoken membership begs for attention, LOL !!
By Interested on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
So I guess all the big mouths on this blog really don’t give a damn about correcting the financial woes of Hillside. They only want to rant and rave about a bad situation and do nothing constructive about correcting the problem, and by the way if you really think that the Deputy Chiefs are the reason for Hillside’s situation then you and everyone who thinks like you are extremely naive. Some of the members of the FD are not the only township employees who donate to the Dems. Do you as a taxpayer have a right to be upset about escalating taxes? You bet you do, but to blame one agency totally without THE FACTS IS IDIOTIC! Get your head out of your butt taxpayer on Long Ave.
By Taxpayer on Long Ave on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Facts couldn’t be more staight & clear, the FD will face reform first,
By Jack May on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
And after them it will be that gross hotdog guy that parks his cart on sidewalk all the time.
By Interested on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Whose facts? Yours or the real ones? Or do you even really care so long as you get your pound of flesh.
By Leo on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Wow, good for you Interested. An intelligent arguement. Nothing like completely shutting down the opposition with facts. I applaud you in giving the opposition just what they asked for…the real numbers. So Springfield is larger than Hillside but Hillside has more cops… hmm, how many cops does it take to fight crime in Hillside? Hmm…tell us… Maybe the Mayor’s audit will reveal that it’s time to cut the bacon. Maybe you are creating this attack against the FD because you are afraid that the real truth will be uncovered… Very interesting…I can’t wait untill the facts come out!
By Taxpayer on Long Ave on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
If your a true tax paying resident, you’ll be dam happy with reform. If your an out of towner on the train, the trip is over dude. were not paying anymore, I repeat my words the FD will be first to fall !!
By Dillon on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
To Leo and Interested. Here’s the only facts you really need to know. Look around you. You have the Dayton Street Projects, Bergen St.( and all that entails) on the Newark side. Irvington to the left, Elizabeth to the right. That’s right, Crips, Bloods and Latin Kings.While I have a multitude of problems with the current administration of the Police Department, lets not include them in the “thin blue line” of the Hillside Street Cops. In all honesty they are ALL that seperates the citizens of Hillside from the extremely dangerous environment that surrounds them.The people of Hillside must keep this in mind. Without a safe and secure environment in which to raise, and educate your children, without the feeling of security that you can go shopping or take your kids to the park free of being victimized ,the town will never survive. This is what the “street cops “of Hillside provide. You cannot put a dollar value on that. Fires are random instances. Crime is ever present. If you feel the need to compare the Hillside “street cops” compare them to Newark, Elizabeth and Irvington. Not the suburbs.It may sound harsh but without a safe and secure environment to live your lives in, nothing else will really matter. You have nothing.So good people of Hillside remember this. When you see a Hillside Police car drive by remember that’s all that stands between you and the anarchy of the inner city.
By onlyhillside on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Go Mayor….seems that everybpdy feels there is FAT. Find It, eliminate it and end it. Go to court and do what you need to do for the taxpayer..thats why we elected you.
By Bloy here on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Right on Dillon, with the right brass you could re-construct the HFD as volunteers, like in Clark. They like to confirm their worth with the message of fear, but truthfully, we could even get their service from another town, think of the savings !!
By retired2 on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Hey Dillon you were always an a-hole and your a bigger one now. Dayton st projects were torn down years ago. And from what I hear you hated anyone that didn’t kiss up to tou freakin egomaniac. Go play shuffleboard idiot
By Jack May on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Who is going to volunteer Hot Dog guy, Fat John please give it a rest it does’nt work in towns that have had it forever it’s not going to work here
By Joe Wright on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Hey retired dude, Dillon’s point is well taken, the police are far more vital to public safety than a FD that needs support from Eliz or Union every time a call comes in. And did you see what these good for nothings are getting paid !!
By Interested on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Look Dillon, no one is criticizing the beat cop in Hillside and crime may be ongoing but there is also some downtime. And fires may be random but they take a serious amount of manpower and effort to combat, throw in all the EMS responses and it makes for a pretty busy scenario. This doesn’t include all the necessary time preparing, training, inspecting and familiarization necessary to provide proper fire protection. With the call volume nearly quadrupled and the staffing reduced by 27% over the years the department struggles to provide fire protection and full time EMS and does it quite well. As a matter of fact I or any other knowledgeable person supporting the FD only mentioned the PD as a whole not by any particular rank. And those who want to go volunteer, in this day when people are struggling with two or more jobs the necessary time cannot be devoted to training never mind the actual fire responses themselves without including EMS. The job is technical, demanding, stressful and dangerous as all public safety endeavors are and to place an untrained, inexperienced person in an emergency often life threatening situation is just plain criminal.
By Joe Wright on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
Well said, hold on to your wallet, sounds like a increase is due
By Lance on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
The town people can no longer afford a bloated police department. UEZ, Detectives, street cops, bosses. Enough. Every year more and more cops are hired. Salaries increase, benefits need to be payed. Hillside is smaller than most neighboring towns and has twice as many cops to resident ratio. The FD has gotten smaller while the PD has grown out of control. The scare tactic being use is disgracefull. You are using fear to hire, gain seniority, and promote.
By g on Aug 26, 2009 | Reply
i agree the police have 1 supervisor for every 2 patrolmen
By kookfest on Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
The FD and PD both should have less supervisors. There is a greater need for patrolmen and firefighters. Everyone can not be making $100k plus. There is no reason to promote supervisors when they have no subordinates to direct.First line supervision is essential but both departments have too many high ranking salaries for a town this size. The table of organization has changed significantly from the eighties until now.
By Rosie Benson on Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
Imagine, DCs supervising Captains whoc supervise less than 3 actual working Firefighters, come on people we need to change this ratio, no where in any “for-profit” organization would this structure exist !!
Question, one DC equals how many actual working Firefighters in terms of salary (bet the answers is 4!!)
By GolfPro on Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
What is your salary officer kookfest? With pppercs stipends and bennies? Maybe you could set an example + save the town some money by retiring? Can your position be eliminated? Or are you one who thinks the place will fall apart without you?
By Ted Bundy on Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
What a bunch of losers here . This crapfest is a joke The 1/2 retard hot dog swallower couldn’t pass the PD or FD tests so now he hates them too. Only a bunch of whimps would say the things they do here and not in public. Chicken s…s. Your life is here? doesen’t say much about your low life. And why would you use some ones mothers name to make a post? Thats lower than whale excrement on the bottom of the ocean. You just make mayor Joe look worse by showing his supporters are the biggest whimps of all time. Come and talk about MY mother face to face and see if you have one when it’s over. I’ll be more than happy to spend a PTI on ya. You know what that is as 1/2 of ya been there already
PS hey girls flush any birds for your master this week? Or did you just give him the peanut butter trick.
By Union PD on Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
I’ve been to thrillside to help the HPD many times. Thats what brothers do. You wouldn’t know that as joe Wright as we know what a class act your family is LOL Get your face outa Rikers lap
By Rosie Benson on Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
What about the F/F thats been in the Mafia for decades. How’s that for a cover up.
By Frank Riker on Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
I waste more of your tax dollars than Corzine.
Can I get some change?
By Joe Wright on Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
I wasn’t doing the nasty - I was passed out
By Joe on Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
I wish I was smart enough to pass the PD or FD test. Thanks Hillside school system.
By Frank Riker on Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
No you weren’t - I had peanut butter I took from shop rite, now your name is Bob
By onlyhillside on Aug 27, 2009 | Reply
I love the argument on “standards” that the HFD lives by. What about volunteer fire depts? do they have to live by the same rules? a deputy chief on each shift? really? how about those depts. that are volunteer and paid????? you guys are FOS!!!!! you live by different rules! why, because you hide behind standards that are created by FIRE PERSONNEL! the real deal is you’ll throw all those deputy chiefs under the bus if you can keep YOUR JOB! ELIMINATE TITLES, MAYOR MENZA!
By Rosie Benson on Aug 28, 2009 | Reply
These titles were created to justify salaries which don’t match the job scope presented in a towm the size of Hllside. The Mayor’s Audit finding will propose a complete breakdown and re-organizaion.
By Bromo on Aug 28, 2009 | Reply
Take them down Mayor Joe, remember during the last election, the guys in full HFD uniform (one guy became a DC as a result) handing out political flyers ( pro Charlotte / Democratic) on the Rt24 ramp, the same guy contributed heavily and later was named a DC. This is the one that needs to go down
By Interested on Aug 28, 2009 | Reply
For Your Information ALL FIRE DEPARTMENTS RELY ON STANDARDS!!!!!!!!!! DO you honestly think they just go around without any guiding criteria?????????
1) Yes, Volunteer Fire Departments are held to the same Command Structure that Professional departments are. These standards were developed through the National Fire Protection Association which is made up of research and development personnel and scientists whom are predominantly civilian.
2) The Officer’s positions were not “created” to justify the salaries but have been incorporated in the Table of Organization since the 1950’s. A desk audit was performed by the NJ Dept. of Personnel back in 1994 or ‘95 which justified the rank of Deputy Chief because of the responsibilities and extra managerial duties performed in the position by members of the Hillside Fire Department.
Volunteer Fire Companies, of which there may be multiple ones covering a single district, each have a “CHIEF” elected to cover their respective company. They oversee the firefighting operations of that respective company and each company (Engine or Truck) has a company officer in command of it in addition to that Chief.
Here is a breakdown of the shift staffing of the Hillside Fire Dept.;
FULL STRENGTH
1) Deputy Chief
Firefighters 3 on Engine-2
2) Captains 1 on each company
(2 Stations)
3 on Quint -1
2 on Rescue-1
Minimum staffing is a total of 8 to allow for time off (only 2 at a time) with 1 additional for sick or injury time without incurring any OT.
MINIMUM STRENGTH
1) Deputy Chief
1) Captain assigned to Engine-2
6) Firefighters 2 on Engine-2
2 on Quint-1
(1 FF is the Acting Captain for no pay)
Acting Captains receive no additional
pay unless they are in that capacity
for more than 8 consecutive working
days. This same rule applies to
Captains when a Deputy Chief is off
and they are acting Deputy Chiefs
2 on Rescue-1
3) There was a law enacted around 1998 known as “THE TWO IN - TWO OUT LAW” by the Federal Government which is a NATIONAL Law covering both VOLUNTEER and PROFESSIONAL Departments. This law requires a minimum amount of staffing filling delineated positions on the fire ground before interior firefighting operations may begin. In Hillside about 98% of the firefighting operations are “INTERIOR ATTACKS”. The ONLY time this law may be overridden is in the instance when a life is in jeopardy.
4) There are 4 shifts utilized by the HFD which accounts for 1 Deputy Chief each for a total of 4. The 5th Deputy works days as the Fire Subcode Official, Head of the Fire Prevention Bureau and the Administrative Assistant to the Chief of the Department.
Now if you really are hungry for information about your fire dept. than I suggest you give Chief Naples a call and make an appointment for a visit and ask him directly what you want to know or are you all afraid of the truth. That way you will see first hand what is and what isn’t true.
By Jack May on Aug 28, 2009 | Reply
Hey Rosie who is doing this audit? Hot dog guy or fat john?
By Disgusted w/clowns on Aug 28, 2009 | Reply
Amazing Interested is the only one here w/the straight dope. The other liars are sorry excuses for humans.
By The Valuim Packed Mimi on Aug 28, 2009 | Reply
Horrible association with one’s relative !!
By Crack smoker[the other crack] on Aug 28, 2009 | Reply
Any one wanna bite my hotdog.
By onlyhillside on Aug 28, 2009 | Reply
I can’t go get the true facts at the FD chief’s office because then you would know who’s the trailer trash spewing lies. Gotta hide my sorry face like like the little girl
I’m. Im such a loser.
By Perazim on Aug 28, 2009 | Reply
Thanks Interested for finally clarifying the whole Fire Dept ranks structure thing. Seems like the guys already are spread pretty thin. I didn’t know thats how it was. Maybe its time to leave the fire and police depts alone and concentrate on helping fix hillsides problems instead of adding to them with this nonsensical bickering.
By Interested on Aug 29, 2009 | Reply
That is exactly what I have been trying to explain to you all. Please just become informed as to what the real situation is and then you will be able to confront the problems realistically. You can then make informed decisions that won’t come back to bite you later on.
By Bromo on Aug 29, 2009 | Reply
So Mr. interested if you agree taxes in Hillside are high, what advise would you give Mr Menza in attacking this problem, if you think the taxes are fair then you don’t live in Hillside.
By Robin, Jackie & Tammie Hughes on Aug 29, 2009 | Reply
Easy cut costs, go after the easy stuff 1st, like high salaries for position clearly out of scope give a town the size of hillside !!
By Interested on Aug 30, 2009 | Reply
Taxes are crazy EVERYWHERE, what you have to look at is what you are exactly paying for what service and what the realized gain would be as a result of the decision you make. The gain cutting 4 or 5 positions that would have to be replaced with a similar rank structure position will not be very cost affective. It had been tried before. The savings realized were MINIMAL at best. And once you cut those positions and found that action not able to provide the relief you seek what then? Just get the real facts regarding the financial situation, find out what your various services cost you and compare it to what you are paying in yearly tax levies. I think, with regards to the Fire Dept., you will be surprised at the actual cost. To put it in perspective compare it to your monthly phone or cable or car insurance bills. Not collectively mind you but individually. Fire and EMS service cost the homeowner about $75 a month. Take the Fire Dept. budget divide it by the number of taxable parcels and the result is your cost. Remember the homeowners actual cost may be less due to Commercial properties paying a much higher tax rate. Remember that $75 per month per HOUSEHOLD goes to a service that could save your life, your property and your home. Just get the facts and then make an educated decision as to where money can and should be saved and more importantly where it is being SPENT!!!!!!!! And you people who think the DC positions are out of scope for a Township like Hillside are experts in Fire Protection?, have how much experience in the provision of Fire Protection anywhere?, Understand the requirements for the provision of Fire and EMS service for Hillside? I think not. If you wish to be informed call Chief Naples and make an appointment to get the facts. Then make up your mind as to an informed course of action. Let’s see how many of you “EXPERTS” follow through on this.
By Jack May on Sep 3, 2009 | Reply
Now this site has shown it’s true colors where is the story about the Mayor’s loss in court? If he had won it would have been headlines what a joke.
By Kulish by injection ask Betty on Sep 10, 2009 | Reply
I agree, Betty did you put the kids to bed ?
By Joey Porkchop on Sep 11, 2009 | Reply
You a friggin ice hole you some a beach.
By Betty on Sep 12, 2009 | Reply
Yes and I told them to stay away from pedophiles like you again. I see you have your own page on the NJSP pedophile list.
By Retired JDL member on Sep 14, 2009 | Reply
Why did they turn down my brothers on Maple Ave
They would be a great addition to the town. I smell anti-semitisim. NEVER AGAIN!!!!