WHO GETS A 17% SALARY INCREASE?
Hint: Municipal White and Blue Collar Workers Get 2%.
Mount Holly employees salary increases are posted in public. The link below is the Mount Holly workers contract:
And so the Mount Holly Reporter requested the new contract of suspended Fire Director Jason Carty. But Jules Thiessen, the newly elected Chair of the Mount Holly Fire District said that contract could not be released immediately because it might violate Carty’s “employee rights”. Thiessen said after legal counsel made a ruling on “confidentiality”, it might be released and he admitted the Fire District would suffer “additional cost” for the legal review. Notably, Mr. Thiessen was a Mount Holly Council member for decades and knew, or should have known, that the municipal worker contracts are public.
And so, after a month and expensive legal costs, the Fire District finally provided Carty’s new contact.
Some might ask what could be so sensitive in the employment contract for fire official that the Chair of the Fire Commissioners would seek legal advice before releasing it?
Recall that Carty’s first contract [March 2025] and employment and were nullified by Superior Court Judge Cook in September due to Commissioner June Gaskill’s illegal conflict of interest vote for Carty. But by November 25, 2025, a new contract was in place which gave Carty significant enhancements compared to his old contract.
SEPARATION CLAUSE
The old contract had a probationary period and no severance for being discharged prior to end of contract.
The new contract has no probationary period and a 3 month severance payment for discharge prior to the end of the contract.
Mr. Carty is still on administrative leave, but The Reporter understands that the court proceeding flowing from the personnel complaint against him is concluded. The internal Fire District administrative investigation by Parker McKay may also be near its end.
The content of those proceedings are not public. But it is possible they will be considered by the Commissioners at Executive Session at the Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Fire District Meeting at 7pm, 17 Pine Street.
A lively meeting is probable and residents are encouraged to attend. The Reporter will attempt to stay abreast of any weather related cancellation notice and inform readers.