The BFD & BPD “Matrix Reports”
Laura DePinto, a regular Bayonne Public Advocate contributor, was able to obtain a copy of the so-called “Matrix Reports” via Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request.
The Matrix Consulting Group was hired in November 2006 to do an efficiency study of the city Police and Fire departments. The reports were provided in draft form to the city sometime in November 2007, and then in full sometime in December of 2007. The report has been redacted, the city claims this is done for “security purposes.” However, the summary of the reports are still rather illuminating. Some recommendations have still yet to be followed due to union opposition, such as changing the Fire Department’s Schedule from 24 hours on/72 hours off to a schedule in which firefighters would work two 10-hour days, have 48 hours off, then work two 14-hour nights.
Below the reports I have included the results of my Jersey Journal news archive search. I weeded out irrelevant articled and left only the newspaper article that made mention the “Matrix Reports” in question. Unfortunately these articles can only be provided in fullf ro a fee.
2.) Labor dispute between Bayonne, fire union
Author: RONALD LEIR
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Publication: Jersey Journal, The (Jersey City, NJ)
Publish Date: July 7, 2008
Word Count: 128
Document ID: 121C70D52E4D4D50
Bayonne has hit a snag in negotiations with its Bravest over a new labor contract.
Acting on a recommendation of the Matrix Consulting Group, the city wants to change the fire department’s work schedule from the current 24 hours on/72 hours off to a schedule in which firefighters would work two 10-hour days, have 48 hours off, then work two 14-hour nights, officials said.
Both schedules average out to a 42-hour work week.
Fire Capt. Brian McMonagle, head of the
7.) Bayonne fire chief appointment is in works
Author: PAUL KOEPP
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Publication: Jersey Journal, The (Jersey City, NJ)
Publish Date: March 20, 2008
Word Count: 334
Document ID: 11F881F58F3BFE70
Bayonne is on the verge of naming a new fire chief, but city officials say the position of fire director may be eliminated.
Four of the city’s top fire brass took a state Department of Personnel qualifying test in January, and the results are in, with three still in the running for the top job.
Deputy Chief Gregory Rogers had the best score on the oral exam, followed by Deputy Chief Joseph Hurley and acting Fire Chief Patrick Boyle, who has also served as the
10.) Police, fire report: Streamline
Author: RONALD LEIR
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Publication: Jersey Journal, The (Jersey City, NJ)
Publish Date: December 19, 2007
Word Count: 382
Document ID: 11DA33089B688290
A long-awaited efficiency consultant’s report recommends that Bayonne eliminate its civilian police director’s job and “consider the appointment of a single public safety director.” The city also has a police chief and an acting fire chief.
The report by the Matrix Consulting Group, of Waltham, Mass., also says the city should negotiate work schedule changes with the police and firefighters unions and reduce the size of each department to
11.) Cop, fire study may not be for all to see
Author: N. CLARK JUDD
Publication: Jersey Journal, The (Jersey City, NJ)
Publish Date: December 14, 2007
Word Count: 167
Document ID: 11D88D46379AD530
At Bayonne’s brief City Council caucus Wednesday night, councilmen and city attorneys debated how much of the recently finished report on the Police and Fire departments should be made public.
Assistant City Attorney Peter Cresci advised the city to limit how much is released about the Matrix Consulting Group’s long-awaited study of management and efficiency in the two departments.
He said the report includes “operational functions,” such
12.) Draft of Police Dept. study given to Bayonne
Author: RONALD LEIR
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Publication: Jersey Journal, The (Jersey City, NJ)
Publish Date: November 13, 2007
Word Count: 205
Document ID: 11CE5548163C5648
Last month, just about a year after Bayonne commissioned an efficiency study of its public safety operations, the city received part of what it ordered.
Matrix Consulting Group, of Waltham, Mass., sent a “draft” report that analyzed the city Police Department’s operations, said Interim Mayor Terrence Malloy.
Matrix has yet to send a similar draft report evaluating the Fire Department, Malloy said, noting that so far, the city has paid Matrix $102,322
13.) Cops spared, but Bayonne layoffs loom
Author: RONALD LEIR
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Publication: Jersey Journal, The (Jersey City, NJ)
Publish Date: September 26, 2007
Word Count: 381
Document ID: 11BE80404BFB6DB8
Bayonne yesterday put into motion a municipal layoff plan, targeting 54 permanent employees - including 25 cops - and four provisionals for dismissal, effective Nov. 9, “for reasons of economy and efficiency.”
But later in the day, city Business Administrator Terrence Malloy said the city was putting a hold on the 25 police officer slots listed among the targeted. Firefighters were spared the ax from the get-go.
The bad news? Malloy said the city plans to lay off
14.) Consultant report may spare jobs
Author: RONALD LEIR
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Publication: Bayonne Journal, The (NJ)
Publish Date: July 5, 2007
Word Count: 272
Document ID: 11A325A545080278
Fifteen firefighters and 25 cops are on Bayonne’s municipal layoff list, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll get the heave-ho, city officials say.
Before the city takes any action, City Finance Director Terrence Malloy said he first wants to hear the findings of the Matrix Consulting Group, which was hired in November 2006 to do an efficiency study of the city Police and Fire departments.
In the meantime, Malloy said, the 40 public safety
15.) Consultant report coming, may spare fire, police jobs
Author: RONALD LEIR
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Publication: Jersey Journal, The (Jersey City, NJ)
Publish Date: June 27, 2007
Word Count: 257
Document ID: 11A081FB76EF5AC0
Fifteen firefighters and 25 cops are on Bayonne’s municipal layoff list, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll get the heave-ho, city officials say.
Before the city takes any action, City Finance Director Terrence Malloy said he first wants to hear the findings of the Matrix Consulting Group, which was hired in November 2006 to do an efficiency study of the city Police and Fire departments.
In the meantime, Malloy said, the 40 public safety
17.) Budget shortfall has city talking about FD revamp
Author: RONALD LEIR
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Publication: Jersey Journal, The (Jersey City, NJ)
Publish Date: April 9, 2007
Word Count: 497
Document ID: 118678B231BD3EF0
Should Bayonne consider changing from an all-paid fire department to a combination paid/volunteer setup?
Councilman-at-large Anthony Chiappone urged the city administration to explore the possibility as a way of reducing municipal expenditures in light of the city’s $25 million budget gap.
But the proposal drew resounding criticism from both management and firefighter union leaders.
In January, Chiappone and Third Ward Councilman Gary LaPelusa voted against using $461,050
18.) Council approves UEZ-funded plan to hire 12 new firefighters
Author: RONALD LEIR
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Publication: Bayonne Journal, The (NJ)
Publish Date: February 1, 2007
Word Count: 231
Document ID: 1170670E8D250D20
Over the objections of its two maverick members, the Bayonne City Council voted Wednesday night to put $461,050 in Urban Enterprise Zone sales tax proceeds toward hiring 12 new firefighters to assign to the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor firehouse, which is in the UEZ.
Bayonne will use $153,684 in city funds to supplement the UEZ contribution to pay salaries and benefits. A city budget crunch triggered the administration’s pitch to dip into the UEZ pot.
Bayonne’s UEZ
19.) UEZ-funded police plan approved
Author: RONALD LEIR
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Publication: Jersey Journal, The (Jersey City, NJ)
Publish Date: January 27, 2007
Word Count: 355
Document ID: 116EC100E96F1610
Over the objections of its two maverick members, the Bayonne City Council voted Wednesday night to put $461,050 in Urban Enterprise Zone sales tax proceeds toward hiring 12 new firefighters to assign to the Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor firehouse, which is in the UEZ.
Bayonne will use $153,684 in city funds to supplement the UEZ contribution to pay salaries and benefits. A city budget crunch triggered the administration’s pitch to dip into the UEZ pot.
Bayonne’s UEZ
Newark, NJ