POLICE, FIRE DEPARTMENTS SEEK BUDGET INCREASES

PATCH reports:                       

Maplewood's police and fire chiefs made their 2012 budget requests to the Township Committee last Saturday. While Township Administrator Joseph Manning asked all department heads to keep there requests flat, both men asked for increases; however, the requests may or may not reflect final appropriations.

Fire Chief Joseph Richardella's request was up 5.48% overall — with salary and wages up $219,000 to $4.517 million in 2012 and "other expenses" up $23,950 to $162,284.

Police Chief Rober Cimino's request was up a modest 1.51% — beneath the state-mandated budget cap of 2% — with salaries and wages up $103,440 to $6.6 million in 2012 and "other expenses" down $880,000 to $298,618.


Next budget meetings set for Saturday, 9-1 at Town Hall.