NAUGATUCK — The second in command of the Naugatuck Police Department has signed a contract extension that will keep him in his position until June 30, 2018.
Deputy Chief Joshua Bernegger’s new contract states he will be paid a base salary of $98,940 this fiscal year, or 2 percent more than he earned last year. The pay goes up 2 percent each fiscal year until the end of the contract, at which point Bernegger will earn $104,994.
Bernegger, a Naugatuck native, has served in the Naugatuck Police Department since September 1997. His previous contract expired in August, and officials put off new contract negotiations because of a delay in the municipal budgeting process. The Board of Mayor and Burgesses voted unanimously to approve the pact last week.
“I have very much enjoyed my time here, and I look forward to another four years of working to move the department forward,” he said.
The contract, which is comparable to other department heads in the borough and in line with what like-sized communities are paying deputy police chiefs, states that Bernegger will get the 2 percent raises every year unless a higher percentage is awarded to the captain in the department, who is in the police union. If that happens, Bernegger will get the same percentage of increase as the captain.
According to the contract, Bernegger will also get five weeks of paid vacation each year, of which he can carry over five days to the next fiscal year. He also gets 15 sick days annually and can accumulate up to 90, which can be paid out upon retirement. His term life insurance is equal to two times his annual base salary, he gets the same medical and dental vision plans offered to other administrators in the borough and he gets a vehicle for unrestricted business and personal use. He can’t take the vehicle out of state for personal reasons unless the police chief gives him permission.
The borough will replace his equipment and uniforms when necessary. He also gets 13 paid holidays a year, reimbursement for professional development conferences, continued participation in the borough’s police pension fund and reimbursement for classes to work toward a master’s degree. He is also eligible for private duty police jobs if all other eligible department members have refused the work.
He will be evaluated on human resources management, fiscal management, day-to-day operations, public relations, community initiatives and staff development.
Bernegger’s only superior in the Naugatuck Police Department is Chief Christopher Edson. The department is allowed to have up to 59 sworn officers, but currently has 57.
The board also extended Assessor George Hlavacek’s contract for another year.
The contract retroactively takes effect on Nov. 4 and runs through Nov. 3, 2015.
According to the contract both the borough and Hlavacek, who has worked for Naugatuck for four years, have agreed to not extend the contract any further. Hlavacek will end his career with the borough at the end of the deal.
According to the contract, Hlavacek will be paid $56,100 for the life of the contract. He will also receive 15 vacation days and 15 sick days.
Hlavacek is also eligible to take part in the borough’s defined contribution pension program and will go through an evaluation by the controller on or before July 1, 2015.
Luke Marshall contributed to this article.
