By CRAIG D. SCHENCK
Sentinel staff
SOMERS POINT — City Council on Thursday approved a slate of personnel moves, including two promotions in the Police Department and two retirement payouts, as well as the appointment of its poet laureate.
Detective Sgt. Jack Sementa, who has been with the department for 13 years, was promoted to lieutenant effective Jan. 1. According to Chief Robert Somers, Sementa will oversee the administrative duties of the patrol division.
Patrolman Richard Dill, who has been with the department for 18 years and is the city’s current K-9 officer, was promoted to patrol sergeant effective Jan. 1. Somers said Dill’s partner is reaching its patrol age limit and will retire and that he would appoint a new K-9 officer at some point next year.
“I’m pleased with their work habits and integrity and looking forward to them better leading the police department,” Somers said of Sementa and Dill.
Leon Somers, a Public Works Department employee, intends to retire after a “long and dedicated service” effective Jan. 1, according to a resolution.
Under Civil Service rules and an agreement with Teamsters Local 115, Somers, which the city negotiates, will be reimbursed for 108.1 days of unused sick time and three days of unused vacation leave. His last day of work will be Dec. 31 and he will receive lump-sum payments for remaining vacation leave at his 2020 pay rate and half of his remaining sick leave at his 2019 rate.
Based on Somers’ 2018 salary of $71,812 (City Clerk Lucy Samuelsen, usually quick to reply to records requests, did not respond to a request for Somers’ 2020 salary), divided by 250 days worked, he was earning $287.25 per day. That amounts to at least $15,525 in unused sick leave and $861.75 for unused vacation leave.
Ted Gogol, who is a sewer operator with the Sewer Utility, accrued 114 days of unused sick leave and 1 day of vacation leave. His last day will be Dec. 31. Based on his 2018 salary of $75,492 ($302 per day), he will receive lump-sum payments of at least $17,212 for unused sick leave and $302 for unused vacation time. Again, Samuelsen did not provide the most recent numbers before press time.
Erin Castaldi was approved as poet laureate by the Somers Point Arts Commission on Sept. 29. According to a resolution from City Council, she has been recognized as a published poet in the haiku form in several publications in the United States and Great Britain and has received awards in selected haiku contests.
“Erin Castaldi displays the enthusiasm, passion and creativity to promote poetry appreciation … through readings and presentations to the residents of Somers Point and through workshops, connecting with organizations within the city and at public events,” stated the resolution. She will serve for two years paid for by stipend, Jan. 1, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2022.
Amber Oliver was approved as a deputy municipal court administrator effective Oct. 9, 2020, at a salary of $39,512.
