Hightstown Borough Council Approves Police Director Salary Range

A salary range was established for the new Hightstown Borough Police Director position, which is expected to be filled in early 2012, according to Mayor Steven Kirson.

The Borough Council approved a $50,000 to $85,000 salary range for the new police director in an ordinance passed unanimously at Monday's council meeting.

“From my understanding and reviewing the three applicant’s resumes, I don’t think we can make a bad decision,” Kirson said.

The search committee for the new director, which is made up of Borough Administrator Michael Theokas, council members Selena Bibens and Larry Quattrone, and former Cranbury Police Chief Harry Kleinkauf, received 56 applications, and interviewed 12 of those candidates.

The council will interview three of the 12 on Jan. 3 and Jan. 5 and will hopefully have a decision on Jan. 5, Kirson said.

“I don’t think civilians, myself, council members, have all the expertise and we need to have that professional come in and give us that guidance,” Kirson said.

Quattrone said he has “big hopes” for the new police director, and said Sgt. Frank Gendron .

“He [Gendron] stepped into a very, very difficult situation right after the storm,” Kirson said. “He’s really represented the police department in a very, very professional manner. He’s done a great job.”

The Borough Council , after the former chief announced his retirement in June.

Starting base salary for a Hightstown police officer is around $55,000, excluding benefits, according to Theokas.