Changes in the training and responsibilities of some Manchester Township employees has led to Council members increasing the minimum and maximum salary caps for those employees.

Monday evening at their regular meeting, the council members in attendance approved an ordinance that increases the pay ceiling for more than 30 positions. The caps increased for several employees, including Chief Engineer, Chief of Police, Township Clerk and dispatchers, according to a draft of the meeting agenda posted to the township website.

The biggest salary cap increases fell within the township's data processing and communication areas. The cap for the township's director of data processing went up about $15,000, and the cap for the town's management information systems specialist went up about $10,000. 

Business Administrator Elena Zsoldos said the changes in these caps were most prominent, since "we used to have a separation between the administrative side and police department side, with technicians on either side. Now we've lumped those responsiblities together, and there is cross training for both so that both sides can handle both operations."

Under the terms of the ordinance, one township job title and description was changed, from chief dispatcher to communication supervisor, because, she said, the chief dispatcher resigned, and the town is now seeking a communications supervisor as a replacement. That hire, along with any indvidual salary increases that could now be authorized with the increased caps, would all have to be approved under seperate actions in future meetings, Zsoldos said.

She noted that in addition to the salary cap changes, the ordinance shifts the township to a calendar year cycle, instead of a fiscal year, which, several towns across New Jersey have been asked to do in recent years.

Township officials also introduced an ordinance that would require criminal history background checks for those applying to work in emergency service and public safety positions.