Planet Princeton Seeking Details on Severance Agreements for Police Chief, Administrator (Updated)

Princeton Township Mayor Chad Goerner confirmed Friday morning that both the the police chief and the business administrator will be paid until the end of the year even though they are retiring at the end of next week. The majority of the time is accumulated leave they have earned, Goerner said.

Planet Princeton has filed a request under the state’s Open Public Records Act (OPRA) seeking the details of any severance or retirement agreements with the chief and administrator. Any compensation, employment contracts or severance agreements made with public employees are public information under OPRA.

Chief Robert Buchanan and Business Administrator Jim Pascale announced their retirements this week. Officials have characterized the announcements, which came on the same day, as a coincidence. Buchanan has worked in the police department for 33 years and Pascale has worked for the Township for almost three decades.

According to public records, Pascale was paid $180, 508 in 2010 and Buchanan was paid $153,312.

Editor’s Note: Planet Princeton’s OPRA request was filled Friday and we will be running a follow up story Monday.