Committee Makes $123,000 In Retirement Payouts

The Township Committee paid out nearly $123,000 to four retiring employees, including the outgoing Police Chief, in a unanimous vote at Wednesday’s meeting.

Former Wall Township Police Chief David Morris received the highest payment for unused time at nearly $80,000. But including payouts to two public works employees and another police officer, the committee paid out $122,942.75, mainly in unused sick and vacation time.

Morris, , ended his 27-year career as a Wall Township police officer on Jan. 31. He was given an engraved watch by the Township Committee as a gesture of appreciation during a short ceremony at the beginning of the meeting.

Later, in a unanimous vote of the committee, Morris was awarded $79,995.23 as a payout of unused sick time, vacation and compensation time, according to the resolution approving the money.

Morris, in accordance with his police contract, received payment for 30 unused vacation days, totaling $19,293.60; 551.87 unused sick time hours, totaling $22,185.17 and 479.12 unused compensation hours totaling $38,849.35, the resolution says.

Also receiving payout money was Patrolman Patrick Scannell, who received $12,472.32 for 232 unused vacation hours, according to the resolution.

Department of Public Works employee Kenneth Bennett received payment 240 unused vacation hours totaling $7,737.60 and 716 hours in unused sick pay, capped at $7,500, according to the resolution.

William Crosby, another retiring DPW employee, received payment for 240 hours of unused vacation time totaling $7,737.60 and 733.5 hours of unused sick time, capped at $7,500.

Morris, who began as a patrolman in 1984 at the Wall Township Police Department and rose through the ranks, became chief during a turbulent time in the department’s history in 2007.

Morris, who was paid a $161,128 salary, oversaw the accreditation of the Police Department under the New Jersey State Chief's Association.  The department's accreditation is also recognized under the national Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. 

“It has been enormously gratifying for me to have worked with the members of the Wall Township Police Department who are so committed to doing all they can for the safety and betterment of this community,’’ Morris said in a short speech Wednesday. “I have been blessed to have worked with so many fine people in such a wonderful community.’’