Vernon council approves mayor's pay raise

VERNON — Vernon Mayor Victor Marotta's request for a 133 percent pay increase was approved at Monday night's Township Council meeting, but whether that salary sticks remains to be seen.

The ordinance granting Marotta a $70,000 yearly salary, an increase over his previous salary of $30,000 per year, passed by a 3-2 vote. Council President Brian Lynch, and councilmen Patrick Rizzuto and Dick Wetzel approved the raise, while Councilman Dan Kadish and newly elected Councilwoman Jean Murphy opposed it.

The outcome of the vote did not come as a surprise, as the council members did not sway from their original votes after the initial reading of the ordinance at the council's Jan. 13 meeting.

Residents remain divided on the matter, as well, and many took to the podium to express their concerns and opinions.

Newly retired Chief-of-Police Roy Wherry summarized the opinions of residents in favor by speaking of Marotta’s successes.

"From what I observed, this is, without question, the most efficient and effective mayor and council this town has ever seen,” he said.

Residents opposing the increase describe it as “outrageous” and question why Marotta would seek an increase after his former appeal, for a raise to $50,000 was rejected by the community.

However, a large number of Vernon residents took the middle ground, and suggested letting the public vote on the matter in the November election, and readjust the mayor’s salary in accordance to the will of the people and not a council of only five residents.

“If it is about the people, and you are the stewards of their money, let them decide in November," Great Gorge resident Len Coloccia said. "If they believe the mayor deserves a raise, then give it to him. I would start it next term, not midterm.”

Coloccia continued to warn Lynch of the repercussions of his vote.

"You are next up for election, and the voters will blame you," he said. "I would not take that lightly.”

Coloccia urged the council to amend its stance and think of the will of the people, who do not get to vote in the matter.

While Dick Wetzel labeled these statements as a threat, Coloccia explained he was simply using a popular phrase in order to shed light on the issue of re-election as well as problems that arise by not listening to the will of the people.

Resident and petitioner Lynn VanGorder recalled that Marotta said his salary was not “fair.” She then asked the council what can be defined as fair.

“Are election results fair?" she said. "I think so, but are they only fair in Vernon Township if certain people agree with them? Are campaign promises fair? Or are they just empty words used to get elected? The people voted this mayor into office, based on his promises, in 2011. He did state he would do the job for $500 a week. The people spoke through their votes. Their votes mattered then, didn’t they?”

VanGorder was a petitioner who gathered enough signatures to oppose and repeal Marotta's previous salary increase.

"As a petitioner, you cannot tell me that 9,136 votes, voices, and people do not matter,” she said.

She then held up an overflowing manila folder of petition sheets to emphasize her remarks.

Resident Mary Ellen Vichiconti said that she “had a petition ready” suggesting the aftermath of this ordinance will look quite similar to Marotta’s previous attempt to obtain a raise.

The ordinance will go into effect 20 days from Monday's date and is expected to be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2014.