JACKSON – Council members moved to cut Mayor Michael Reina’s salary in half during their latest council meeting. The part-time mayor was picking up $65,000 a year but will now be earning $32,000 following a 3-1 vote.
When Reina was re-elected three years ago, he ran with council candidates Jennifer Kuhn and Scott Sargent. The mayor was also aligned with Vice Council President Mordechai Burnstein. Things have since changed between the administration and the council.
Giuseppe Palmeri joined the council in January backed by the Jackson GOP. Palmeri won the spot that was vacated by incumbent Steven Chisholm who decided not to run for re-election when he was not endorsed by the township’s Republican organization.
Kuhn, Burnstein, and Palmeri voted for the mayoral pay cut. Councilman Nino Borrelli was the lone dissenting vote on this measure. Reina was not present at this session.
The council itself got a salary increase last year. In a three to two vote back then, they raised their salaries from $8,668 to $32,000, a pay raise of around 370%. The council president pay was raised to $35,000 last year. However, through the same resolution that cut the mayor’s salary recently, the council president will now make $32,000 – the same as Reina. Council salaries will remain at $32,000.
The council raise happened in February 2024. Borrelli and Chisholm voted against the salary increases while Kuhn, Sargent and Burnstein voted for their passage.
In February of this year, Council President Kuhn called for a DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) type review of key departments such as the building department, Department of Public Works, Code Enforcement and police department stating her belief that modification of staffing appears to be required and there might be areas where financial cuts can be made.
Kuhn is calling the council’s version of DOGE, Diligence of Jackson Efficiency (DOJE) which “represents our new focus on careful oversight and getting the most value for every tax dollar we spend. It is a reminder that we work for you the residents and that every decision should benefit this community.”
She added that in looking at this year’s budget preparation, “some cuts will need to be made. We want to hear from you. Your feedback is essential. We are addressing long standing issues that have been overlooked for far too long.”
The mayor’s salary reduction came as part of Resolution R140-2025 which established salaries of elected officials. Referencing that resolution, Kuhn said, “I made a promise to residents when I was sworn in to council that we would review every dollar of spending and cut costs where possible. That is exactly what we are doing tonight.”
She noted that the mayor and council were all part-time positions. “It simply makes sense for these roles to receive a part time salary.”
She noted increase in township costs including a 20% increase this summer in utility bill expenses. “If we have the opportunity to save taxpayers $30,000 with one vote then we have the responsibility to act.”
Borrelli voted no to that resolution explaining, “I’m not taking away from the hours of work that my fellow council members and I put in to serve our town. However, our council positions continue to be on a part-time basis and I feel strongly that they should be tied to the cost of living. I haven’t received any reasons or justifications to reduce the mayor salary who has at this time taken on the additional duties of the township business administrator for a couple of months now.”
Reina’s term expires next year as mayor. Kuhn and Sargent’s spots on council will also come up for re-election in 2026. The Jackon Times contacted Mayor Reina concerning Resolution R140-2025. He said as mayor and acting business administrator, “I wasn’t given a courtesy call about it beforehand but it is within their authority to do this. They (Council) kept their raise from last year and mine was cut.” He noted that Kuhn’s council president salary was reduced by $3,000.
The mayor said he didn’t agree with the manner the Council was approaching its DOJE review of internal department reviews and noted that he would not engage in pointless arguments with the council.
He added that he did not believe that there were any widespread misconduct or inappropriate actions by township workers and that if any township employee was doing anything illegal, “then the authorities should be contacted. That is what the authorities and law enforcement are there for.”
The mayor said he is working on this year’s budget and that council had voted down two potential replacements for business administrator. He has been serving in both capacities for seven weeks now.
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