Middletown OK's $250K Payout to Retiring Police Chief

The Middletown Township Committee authorized Monday a $249,338.88 payment to Police Chief Robert Oches that reflects 40 years worth of unused sick days, personal days, vacation pay and other contractual benefits.

The chief was owed this money through collective bargaining agreements that date back to 1974. Most of the benefits were accumulated prior to the township's 1996 imposition of a 150 day cap. 

His retirement is effective August 1, and once official paperwork is filed with Trenton, the township will begin the process of selecting a new police chief from among the township's three deputy chiefs. 

In a resolution, the members of the Township Committee registered their displeasure with the current system by putting forth a resolution decrying a system that puts "great hardship" on municipal officials who must craft budgets under the 2 percent cap, but also be prepared to disburse or borrow to satisfy "lavish" payouts to retiring employees. They called for passing a resolution calling upon the state legislature to eliminate or cap payment for unused sick and vacation time.  

They also pointed out that although unused sick and vacation time may be accumulated over many years at lower wages, payments are required to be made at rates established at the time of a public employee’s retirement, which is usually when they achieve their highest annual salary. 

"This isn't anything that reflects on the chief and his 40 years of service, the money is owed and the law requires us to vote," Mayor Stephanie Murray was quoted as saying in the Asbury Park Press. "It's wrong because it's accruing at present rates for time banked before many of us were born. It's an unsustainable, broken system."

Middletown was prepared for the chief's retirement with money put aside in the budget, said Township Administrator Tony Mercantante. 

The chief's unusually long career in Middletown "is impressive" said Mercantante. "There are not a lot of people who put 40 years of their lives into one place," he said.  

But it is also an anomaly these days, and there are no more longtime Middletown employees who will be owed a similar payout of accumulated benefits, he said.