HILLSDALE—A local councilman, who is also a police officer in another town and a member of the Police Benevolent Association (PBA), a police union, was found to have no conflict of interest in serving on the borough’s police negotiating committee to develop a new police officers’ contract, according to a state agency ruling.
Councilman John Ruocco had raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest regarding Councilman Justin Fox’s role on the borough police committee. However, Fox stated that he had sought and received a determination from the state Department of Community Affairs, which found that his PBA union membership did not constitute a conflict of interest.
Ruocco argued that, given Fox’s membership in the same union negotiating a new four-year contract with the borough, there may be a perception of a conflict of interest.
At the Aug. 13 council meeting, Ruocco said, “I really find it hard to believe that he [Fox] would negotiate for the borough, you know, against a union that he is part of.”
Fox responded that, although he belongs to the PBA, it is not the same local chapter as the Hillsdale PBA Local No. 107.
Ruocco pressed Fox to disclose the “outcome” of his request to the DCA’s Division of Local Government Services to determine whether he could serve on the committee despite being a PBA member.
Fox told Ruocco that the outcome was “confidential,” but added, “since you keep concentrating on fellow council members instead of the betterment of Hillsdale,” he would be “transparent” and asserted that the DCA’s Local Government Division found “no conflict or local government ethics law violations, no potential violations.”
“So let’s get back to the betterment of Hillsdale, please,” Fox said. When Ruocco began to reply, Mayor Michael Sheinfield interjected, “Let’s not go here, now,” adding, “I want to stop.”
Ruocco responded, “He’s making a point that I’m not for the betterment of Hillsdale.”
Fox replied that he did not say that, and Councilwoman Abby Lundy addressed Ruocco “There was a point of order called; you need to stop talking.”
Ruocco countered, “There was no point of order called unless you tell me that I don’t have the right to speak at all.”
Sheinfield said, “The stuff that goes back and forth here is not productive in either case.”
Ruocco pressed on, “And the only reason I bring it up again, because I brought it up in January, was I don’t want the Borough of Hillsdale to be perceived as doing something that is unethical.”
Sheinfield interjected, “Fortunately, DCA has ruled and we’re all good.” Council President John Escobar added, “You all can sleep at night now.”
Escobar, along with Fox and councilor Janetta Trochimiuk, serves on the police negotiations committee.
Pascack Press asked Fox if he would provide a copy of the DCA decision. He declined, saying the decision was confidential, though he said he would release it if the DCA consented.
The DCA Division of Local Government Services declined our subsequent records request, citing statute involving advisory opinions—adding that its Local Finance Board “neither confirms nor denies the existence of records responsive to your request.” We objected to this.
[Notwithstanding that exchange, the DCA does not bar Fox from releasing the material. — Ed.]
Generally, the largest portion of the municipal budget is allocated to police department funding, followed by public works and municipal employee expenses. Locally, school funding comprises about 65% of local property tax bills, with municipal costs at approximately 25% and Bergen County taxes at about 10%.
At the Aug. 13 meeting, Escobar said the Police Negotiating Committee would meet that week to discuss setting a meeting date with local PBA officials for talks on the upcoming new police contract.
The current five-year police contract, which includes police officers and sergeants, runs through Dec. 31, 2024. It has been effective since Jan. 1, 2020.
The contract includes three pages of salary guides with step increases for officers hired before Aug. 1, 2013; after Aug. 1, 2013; and on or after Jan. 1, 2016.
The most recent guide shows a patrolman starting at $40,050 effective Jan. 1, 2024, increasing to $72,238 after five years, and $119,063 after 10 years. Sergeants start at $152,853 effective Jan. 1, 2024.
According to the DCA on its website, “The Division of Local Government Services serves as an advocate for local government interests. We provide technical and financial assistance in budgeting, financial reporting, joint services, purchasing, and management issues.”
It adds, “Most importantly, however, we are responsible for the financial integrity of all local government units. We review and approve all municipal, county, and fire district budgets and review many local government financial actions, as well as govern and guide the conduct of local government officials.”