Nutley Mayor Seeks 'Compromise' in PBA Dispute

Mayor Alphonse Petracco didn’t think the giant inflatable rat outside of town hall was necessary.

“To put a rat outside this building, we’re going in the wrong direction,” Petracco said.

Nutley Local PBA No. 33 President Gerard Tuco said the police union didn’t bring but was glad it was there. A PBA supporter brought the rat, Tuco said, but as a symbol for labor strife, he thought it belonged.

Dozens of police and supporters turned out for the PBA rally outside the Tuesday Nutley Board of Commissioners meeting and packed into the Commission Chambers for a standing room only meeting where residents, Nutley and out-of-town cops and others blasted the mayor for not promoting Nutley Police Capt. Thomas Strumolo to chief.

In the last few months, officials and PBA members have clashed over promotions in the police department. Nutley Police Union President Gerard Tusa has accused Petracco of blocking the promotion of Strumolo to chief.

Petracco said he is trying to hire more officers and contain taxpayer cost by exploring options. In past statements, Petracco said police chiefs and deputy chiefs cost Nutley hundreds of thousands in salary and expenses spike when they retire because personal days and sick days are accumulated.

Tuco disputes the mayor’s plans would save money. He said a civilian public safety director—an option the mayor said he’s agreed to back down from‑would duplicate the functions of the mayor, who is director of public safety. He estimated the cost savings from the mayor’s plans at about $9,000.

“What’s going on has nothing to do with saving money,” Tuco said. “It has everything to do with [the mayor’s] friends and allies on the force.”

Strumolo has brought legal action against the township for being passed over for the role. In April, he filed a $2.5 million notice of a Tort Claim against Nutley. In the Tort, Strumolo claims Petracco retaliated against him because he told the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office about Petracco’s alleged union-busting activities.

Outside town hall and inside the meeting, supporters argued for Strumolo’s promotion saying he’s the department’s highest-ranking officer and that the current chief and former department heads have endorsed him. Tuco and other speakers said Strumolo performed the highest on the civil service exam and despite not having the title, he’s already been doing the job of deputy chief.

“If two former police chiefs are recommending him, that should tell you something,” a Nutley business owner said.

Petracco didn’t dispute Strumolo’s credentials, but he did argue against how his arguments had been characterized. He said that both he and his family were longtime, loyal supporters of the police. But he emphasized that he had a responsibility to the larger population of Nutley, not just the police. He denied being malicious or secretive. He said he believed that the chief’s retirement was an opportunity to save money that was especially needed with the loss of Hoffmann-La Roche.

He seemed to especially chafe against the accusations of favoritism. Tuco accused Petracco of manipulating the promotion process to favor his friends. Petracco pointedly asked Tuco to name the members of the force Petracco wanted for the role.

“Tell everybody here who is my friend,” Petracco said. “Who am I trying to promote?”

The crowd applauded Tuco’s response: “which one?”

In a statement at the close of the meeting, Petracco said he’d work to resolve the issue if people met him halfway.

“I’m willing to work with anybody but people have to be willing to compromise,” Petracco said.