Membership has its privileges for council members

Byram - Membership has its benefits. It’s been that way, and the Byram council wants to make sure it can stay that way. The council introduced a measure this week to make official the option members of the council have of receiving paid health insurance benefits. For years, the members of the council have had the opportunity to receive paid health insurance coverage from the township, but they want to put an ordinance on the books, which they say, is similar to other municipalities. “This is not something new,” said township manager Greg Poff. “This is not something that council members are extending to themselves - that is not the case. It is merely a requirement that codifies a practice that has been in place for 20 years.” Poff said the part-time council members currently receive the same benefits package, which includes major medical, prescription and dental coverage for themselves and their dependents, as full-time Byram municipal employees. He said part-time employees of the township are not afforded benefits. “It’s a housekeeping measure,” said Byram Mayor Eskil “Skip” Danielson. “This has been a practice, and the policy hasn’t changed. What has changed is that we have to put it in ordinance form.” Poff said that although council members receive a $3,000 annual stipend, they are often called upon to put in long hours beyond what is covered by their compensation. As examples, Poff said, each member prepares for and attends regular council meetings and all sit on one or more municipal committees or boards. The benefits package is estimated to cost township residents $18,000 annually per council member, said Councilwoman Donna Griff, who elects not to receive coverage because she said it’s too much to ask of taxpayers. “I don’t believe council members should get benefits,” said Griff. “We have a lot of volunteers in Byram who put in a lot of time and aren’t getting benefits. I do it for the benefit of the township. I don’t want a price tag put on it.” Council members Louis Esposito Jr. and James Oscovitch opt to receive the benefits package offered by the township. Earl Riley said the council has historically received health insurance benefits, but should make some level of contribution toward coverage. “I do feel that participants should pay their fair share,” he said. “What that fair share is, I don’t know.” Poff said the council will discuss a plan that would withdraw 30 percent from a member’s annual stipend to go toward the cost of health insurance coverage. “There are municipalities that extend health benefits to elected officials and those that do not,” said Poff. “This demonstrates the commitment of the council to do the right thing.”