Trenton Mercer Airport (KTTN), Trenton, New Jersey: Roof repair adds to hurricane's cost

TRENTON — County officials increased their estimate of how much Hurricane Sandy cost the county, adding the cost to repair a roof at Trenton-Mercer Airport to the costs of overtime and other damages.

The freeholder board approved the additional $45,000 and the estimated $1 million bill that was presented to them at a meeting earlier this week with no opposition.

David Miller, chief financial officer for the county, told the board that the airport roof sustained substantial damage and repairs are ongoing.

The total expenses associated with the storm that tore through in late October come in the form of unexpected costs and salaries and wages.

Salaries and wages, including regular pay and overtime totaling more than $40,000 were expended for the Sheriff’s Department and the Highway Department alone. In total $166,900 of the $1 million price tag went to payroll.

The remainder of the cost, estimated at $844,500, was incurred in storm-related repairs and supplies for county-owned properties and buildings.

Miller added that it is likely the county will receive funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to cover the expenses. It had not yet been determined how much will be given in public assistance to local governments in the state.

The total storm expenses will be spread out over the next three budgets, with approximately $337,000 added each year.

Also at their meeting, the final one of the year, the freeholders approved salary increases for themselves and top-ranking county officials.

The ordinance, which was passed unanimously, grants a 2 percent raise in their salaries, which would be retroactive for 2012.

County Executive Brian Hughes will see a raise of nearly $3,000 — increasing his pay to $151,652. County Administrator Andrew Mair’s salary will rise to $147,881 and Sheriff John Kilmer will make $136,966 this year. The raise increases the salary for County Surrogate Diane Gerofsky and County Clerk Paula Sollami-Covello to $121,014. Human services director Marygrace Billek and director of transportation and infrastructure Aaron T. Watson will make $128,535.

The freeholders voted to increase their own salaries to $27,507. Board chairwoman Lucylle Walter will make $28,609.

At the first meeting of the new year, scheduled to be held on Jan. 4, the board will choose a new chairman and vice chairman. Re-elected Freeholders Ann Cannon, Pasquale “Pat” Colavita and Sam Frisby will be sworn in at that meeting as well.

Source:   http://www.nj.com