Cedar Grove, PBA Agree to Deal

Cedar Grove and the local Police Benevolent Association have struck a deal on a three-year contract through 2015, township officials announced Monday.

After months of negotiations, the sides agreed to the contract that will give PBA members two-percent salary hikes in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

The increases are the maximum allowed by the state under the current cap rate.

"The meetings were productive and both sides understood where the other was coming from," said Patrolman Robert Hectus, PBA representative for Cedar Grove. "We think the 2 percent is a very fair agreement and we are happy with the length of the contract."

Negotiations always take place before the end of the contract for the following year, said Township Manager Thomas Tucci.

“It was a very cordial negotiation with the PBA and we were able to come to a meeting of the minds,” he said.