Cherry Hill firefighters earned more than those in Philadelphia and New York City in recent years, and the approval of a nearly $25 million budget in 2012 went unnoticed by most residents because of a dismal election turnout, according to an audit released Wednesday by the state comptroller’s office, reports The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The audit, which scrutinized the years 2010 and 2011,also criticizes the Cherry Hill fire district for giving firefighters hefty longevity payments – essentially bonuses for each year of employment – and for failing to use volunteers. The fire district covers 71,000 people and has about 130 salaried employees.
The audit also examined the finances of fire districts in Brick and Woodbridge, and raised similar concerns.
Cherry Hill Mayor Chuck Cahn, in a statement released Wednesday, called the audit’s findings “troubling.”
“It shows a trend of growth in spending that is simply not sustainable, and unnecessary,” he said. “I have shared my concerns with the Board of Fire Commissioners and department leadership, and while I know they are taking steps to better control costs, I believe more can and should be done.”
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