An ordinance setting the salary range for the animal control officer is on tomorrow night’s agenda.
The minimum salary is $5,000 with the ceiling being $20,000. The borough recently had a workshop discussion in which the hiring of Alex Balaban to be the borough’s animal control officer was discussed. Part of the issue dealt with continuing to use Woodbridge for all animal control issues or provide the majority of those services locally.
Former resident Alex Balaban has been involved with addressing animal issues in the borough from feral cats to stray dogs to pet food donations in an unofficial capacity.
Last year, the one-year contract with Woodbridge to provide Animal Control Services was for a flat annual fee of $20,099.00 with a termination date of April 30, 2018.
Tomorrow night, after the vote and anticipated approval of the ordinance, the governing body will vote to hire Mr. Balaban for an annual salary of $7,500 through Resolution 117-18.
Last month, council voted to approve renewing the annual contract with Woodbridge but only to provide animal boarding and kenneling services only. The rates in that contract are:
- $175 per animal brought to the Shelter (without regard to duration of stay)
- $200 per animal for 10-day quarantine
- $25 per day per animal for court cases, evictions, and cruelty cases.
Unless the number of instances mentioned above total more than $14,700 this year, there will be cost-savings to the borough. Although Mr. Balaban’s annual salary will be $7,500 it will pro-rated for this year.
The animal control officer will have the authority to enforce the provisions of Roselle Park Borough Code Book Chapter 8 (Animal Control).
The public hearing and vote by council will be during tomorrow night’s Mayor & Council meeting which is set to start at 7 p.m. at 110 East Westfield Avenue in the council chambers of borough hall.
A copy of Ordinance 2520 is available below:
Download RP Ordinance 2520