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Council indecisive on Loizzi reinstatement
(by Michael Lamendola - August 06, 2008)
Following nearly 90 minutes in closed session last night, the Rutherford mayor and council took no formal action after discussing how they would proceed with handling the possible reinstatement of former police sergeant Nicholas Loizzi. Of a total of four officers that were fired in the wake of the 2005 bounty hunter incident, Loizzi is the only one that has yet to garner his old job back.
The council deliberations were in response to an administrative court judge's decision to hold off on the appeal trial of Loizzi to gain his job back in lieu of the borough and Loizzi trying to reach a settlement.
The mayor and council were mum on discussing any details of the over one hour-long executive session, but Mayor John Hipp said the governing body may take some type of action within the next couple days, prior to Loizzi's next scheduled court hearing in Newark on Aug. 12 when the judge could decide that the trial should move forward if a settlement has not been reached.
"The closed session dealt with settlement discussions," said Hipp, who was reluctant as were other members of the council to comment any further on the matter. "We'll probably have more information in the next couple days."
Loizzi did not attend the meeting. Also missing was Councilman Joseph Sommer, who was on vacation. Sommer voted in 2007 to terminate Loizzi from the force. For a settlement and reinstatement to be reached, the council needs a majority vote in which a 3-3 tie could be broken by Hipp. Hipp would not comment on whether the council wished to have Sommer present for a vote before moving for or against a settlement.
For more information, see the Aug. 13 edition of the South Bergenite.
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