Montgomery PBA President Calls for Action on Police Contract During Township Meeting

Nicholas Mistretta

Montgomery Township, May 15, 2025 — A frank exchange marked the public comment portion of the May 15 Township Committee meeting, as Montgomery Township PBA Local 355 President Officer Salvatore Intili addressed the ongoing police contract negotiations and challenged recent comments made by Deputy Mayor Vincent Barragan.

Speaking candidly, Officer Intili expressed frustration with the pace and tone of negotiations, citing significant challenges faced by Montgomery’s police department in recruitment and retention. “Since 2019, we have lost nine highly trained, highly qualified officers to departments that offer more competitive pay,” Intili said. “The cost of those departures is well over $1 million.”

The core of Intili’s message was a call for fairness, not excess. “We’re not asking to break the bank. We’re not asking to be millionaires. We’re asking for a fair and competitive wage so we can attract and keep good officers,” he told the committee.

Officer Intili also addressed previous efforts to engage directly with Deputy Mayor Barragan months ago about the difficult state of negotiations. According to Intili, Barragan’s response was that contract matters should be handled through legal counsel. While acknowledging the legal process, Intili countered, “At the end of the day, the agreement is made between the PBA and the Township Committee—the appropriate authority. Not the CFO. Not the Business Administrator. Not the attorneys.”

He criticized the overall negotiation process as “pitiful”. Montgomery’s officers, he noted, have been without a contract for 5 months now.

In closing, Intili directed his remarks squarely at Barragan: “You’ve made public statements in support of this department. I’m asking you to stand behind them. It’s time to settle a fair contract for the officers you say you support.”

The Township Committee did not respond during the public comment portion, in keeping with meeting protocol.

Photo Credit: Nicholas Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com