Acting New Jersey Comptroller Kevin Walsh today outlined why nine municipalities are not in compliance with the 2010 sick leave law, including the Town of West New York.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Two of West New York’s union contracts are phrased so as to limit payment for accrued sick leave to the statutory maximum. Another union contract allows payment of up to $18,000 for any accrued sick leave at resignation, death, or retirement,” the New Jersey Office of the State Comptroller released publicly today.
“OSC found that the terms of one of West New York’s union contracts do not comply with the 2010 law with regard to payment of accrued sick leave by allowing payment at a time other than at retirement and more than $15,000 for employees hired after May 21, 2010.”
By state law, all employees hired after May 2010 cannot receive more than $15,000 for unused sick leave. Employees can only receive that $15,000 at retirement – not when they resign, change jobs, or as an annual payout.
In July 2022, Walsh released a report that surveyed 60 municipalities and their sick leave practices, and a whopping 57 were out of compliance with state law, including Hoboken, Union City, and West New York.
In a follow up report released last week, the OSC revealed that nine municipalities, with West New York being the only one in Hudson County, still not in compliance. At the time, they did not disclose any particulars, but that ended up happening today.
The OSC indicates that West New York was made aware of their findings on July 26th, 2022 and detailed the requirements for a corrective action plan (CAP) which came with a September 30th deadline.
The town was allegedly told on October 7th that their CAP was overdue and gave them a courtesy of an additional two weeks, October 21st. On October 18th, West New York provided the OSC with a copy of their employee manual.
“Because West New York had responded to a draft of OSC’s original report outlining certain changes it intended to make, OSC considered that to be West New York’s CAP,” the OSC wrote.
“OSC’s response on April 27, 2023 noted that West New York’s CAP did not address whether it had conducted or planned to conduct an independent fiscal assessment to identify possible improper payments. OSC also noted that the CAP needed to be approved by the governing body. OSC requested an updated CAP to address these concerns by May 26, 2023. To date, West New York has not responded to the April correspondence.”
West New York was also one of seven municipalities identified as missing an independent fiscal assessment.
In last week’s follow up report, Walsh included a letter to state leaders where he recommended withholding state funding for municipalities that do not adopt the CAP within 30 days.
A West New York spokesman did not respond to an inquiry seeking comment.
Crooked Mayor , why don’t you ask Albio to get a loan from Menendez since they were friends at the hip . Albio got paid from Wny when he left the first time you taking money from him , of course not! When Menendez starts flipping Albio better start worrying because Menendez got shit on all the crooked politicians in Hudson county. I wouldn’t be surprised if Albio has a couple of gold plates in his house in Florida, he lives in Florida people Wake up!!!! All past Mayors , Commissioners got free medical, pensions for life Investigate them !!!’ Corrupt All