The union the represents Maplewood Police superior officers reached agreement on a new five-year deal that includes a 16.5% raise, but also an increase in health premiums of $500 per year. Rank-and-file cops, meanwhile, are still negotiating after they rejected a new deal weeks ago. The union will meet with township officials Tuesday and may bring a new contract to the TC meeting that night.

The superior officers health premium agreement is the same one the firefighters union accepted earlier this year to avoid three layoffs, and the same that the rank-and-file police officers rejected.

Mayor Vic De Luca said the superior officers, PBA Local 44A, approved the deal, which now goes to the Township Committee for approval on Tuesday.

The rank-and-file police, PBA Local 44 -- which recently lost three members to layoffs on June 30 after rejecting their deal --have yet to reach any new agreement. But talks are apparently continuing.

The police layoffs were first announced earlier this year along with the layoffs of three firefighters. Those were then rescinded after the firefighters union agreed to concessions that included a $500 health benefit premium increase and township officials announced federal grants could be obtained to keep the police officers on the payroll.

But in May, the police layoffs were again put back after the federal funding was delayed. That funding still may come through this fall. But without it, township officials had to plan for the June 30 layoff.

Earlier this year, other layoffs that included some 20 other township employees were made, along with a summer Friday furlough plan for all township employees that remains in effect through the end of August.