Two days after he announced his intent to retire, Galloway Township officials are investigating claims that Manager Steve Bonanni approved comp time for Township Clerk Kimberley Hodsdon, Deputy Clerk Carol Hackney and Chief Financial Officer Marilyn Dolcy.

As department heads, the township clerk and the chief financial officer are not entitled to overtime or comp time under township code.

Dolcy and Hodsdon both became employees of the township on Oct. 4. Hodsdon replaced former clerk Lisa Tilton, and Dolcy took over for Jill Gougher, who left the township for a job in Stone Harbor.

Hodsdon, who makes $64,429 a year, put in for 39.5 hours of comp time from her date of hire through the end of last year, according to payroll records. Hackney makes $40,500 a year.

Dolcy, who makes $105,000 a year, put in for nearly 60 hours through Dec. 16, according to the records.

All three were seeking compensation for not taking lunch, or taking a shortened lunch. Hodsdon and Dolcy sought compensation for staying at work late and working council meetings.

According to township code 73-5, “all employees, other than department or office heads, are entitled to overtime compensation within budget limitations and as approved by the Township Manager,” and “compensatory time off for all employees, including department and/or office heads, may be given at 1 1/2 hours for each hour worked as overtime, at the discretion of the Township Manager, upon recommendation of the department head. Said compensatory time off should not exceed 35 hours for white-collar employees and 40 hours for blue-collar employees, nor be carried into another year, unless recommended by the department head and authorized by the Township Manager.”

The records were uncovered by Harry Scheeler, who stated on his website, GallowayTwpNews.com, that he was seeking hourly wages after the township called a meeting to discuss the impact of OPRA requests on township operations last month.

He then forwarded his findings to members of council.

Members of council on Thursday said they didn’t have enough information to make judgment, but they weren’t taking the matter lightly.

“We’ve gotten the emails and we’re taking it seriously,” Deputy Mayor Tony Coppola said. “We asked (Township Solicitor) Mike Blee to look into it.”

“We’re looking into it,” Mayor Don Purdy said. “We’re not just sitting on it.”

Bonanni didn’t return a message seeking comment on Thursday.

Bonanni announced earlier this week he intends to retire at the beginning of February.