Bristol Twp. Council Approves Pay Raises For Public Works, Fire Crews & Crossing Guards

The Bristol Township Council has ratified new contracts with pay hikes for public service employees, including public works crews, fire personnel, and crossing guards.

At its December meeting, the council reached an agreement with Transport Workers Union Local 282, which has three distinct employee groups: Roads and Public Property Employees, Municipal Employees, and Crossing Guards.

Township Manager Randee Elton highlighted the specifics of the new contracts.

The Transport Workers Union Local 282 – Roads and Public Property Employees, which is the public works crews, will receive a $5 hourly increase in the first year followed by 2 percent increases for the next two years of the three-year contract.

Elton noted that the township had previously been unable to fund such pay increases. However, with improved financial conditions, the council aims to align Bristol Township’s pay rates with those of neighboring towns. The strategy is part of an effort to retain current staff.

Elton praised the public works teams for their handling in-house projects, including curb and ramp installations at township properties and new responsibilities like collecting trash cans at parks.

“They do a lot of the in-house projects. What we’re paying for them to do in-house pays for their contract,” Elton said.

The township manager commended the public works crews and Charlie Dearnley, Bristol Township’s public works director, on their operation.

“We have a great staff that has turned this department around,” Elton said.

Council President Craig Bowen stated that the public works employees deserve the pay raise due to the challenging nature of their work.

The department has 19 full-time employees, one part-time employee, and three to four seasonal workers during busy months.

For the Transport Workers Union Local 282 – Municipal Employees, covering the township’s paid fire crew, Elton said they will get yearly five percent pay increases for the next four years.

Bristol Township Fire Rescue is led by the chief who is Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Director Kevin Dippolito, and has a staff of eight full-time firefighters and a full-time administrative assistant, who is also a certified fire inspector.

The new four-year contract with Transport Workers Union Local 282 – Crossing Guards includes five percent pay raises and an increased longevity bonus, raising it from $15 to $20 for each year of service, Elton said.

The township employs 20 part-time crossing guards.

In an effort to standardize benefits among township employees, Elton mentioned that staff unions would be put on similar dental plans, which would incur minimal additional costs.

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