Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, July 9, 2009 OUR 119th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 28-2009 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com
[email protected] SIXTY CENTS Westfield Receives AAA Rating; Candidate Prods Mayor, Council By MICHAEL J. POLLACK quest to forego pay for two vacation Secondly, Mr. Brennan said that Specially Written for The Westfield Leader days in order to control expenses, Mr. with municipal job cuts looming, “be- WESTFIELD – The Westfield Brennan asked if the mayor and coun- fore we start laying off people, it’s Town Council announced Tuesday cil would require non-unionized de- important that taxpayers have the right night at its meeting that the town has partment heads to give back the to go to [finance policy committee] received a AAA creditworthiness rat- equivalent of two days’ pay. budget meetings.” He said he under- ing; during the public comment ses- Mr. Brennan referenced an ordi- stands that when personnel discus- sion, though, Democratic Mayoral nance setting salary ranges for non- sions begin to center on “specific candidate William Brennan criticized union positions and department heads, individuals,” the public, by law, can- the closed nature of the town’s bud- noting that 10 positions see salaries not be privy to those talks. getary meetings. of more than $100,000 – town admin- However, he asked if the mayor Mr. Brennan, a Birch Avenue resi- istrator, $142,143; chief financial of- will “open up” the budget sessions to dent, directed three questions to ficer, $101,515; police chief, townspeople.