by Davy James, Staff Writer
The Township Council moved closer to adopting the municipal budget Tuesday night after it announced that eight township employees will be laid off.
Township officials confirmed the layoffs, but would not name the departments or positions affected. The employees have been informed of the pending layoffs, but township officials would not release the effective date of the layoffs to the media.
”Unfortunately, we’re forced to make cuts that affect people’s lives, and that is a very painful thing to do,” said Mayor Frank Gambatese. “It’s been difficult to determine what department would be least affected by layoffs. Every township is faced with the same thing, but it’s been something we’ve been able to keep at a minimum based on our surplus.”
The proposed budget cuts spending by $1.5 million from last year’s $49.5 million spending plan. Overall, the proposed budget would be 3.4 percent less than last year, but there would a 4-cent tax increase. That means the owner of the average township home could see an $87 increase in municipal taxes this year under the proposed budget.
Last year, the owner of a home valued at the township average of $194,400 paid $1,215 in municipal taxes.
The eight layoffs save the township approximately $159,000, according to Finance Officer Joseph Monzo.
”We already assumed the majority of these layoffs when the budget was initially introduced,” Mr. Monzo said.
Mr. Monzo also said the township has been approved by the Local Finance Board for a deferral of pension payments for retired police, fire and public employees. The deferral is 50 percent of this year’s pension contribution, about $1.3 million. The township will have to pay that figure off over a 15-year span beginning in 2012.
The interest on the deferred pension will be about 8.5 percent and will add an estimated $90,000 per year.
At the council meeting two weeks ago, several residents spoke about their concerns for a possible reduction in hours of the secretary in the social services department. Residents said the variety of duties the position is responsible for is invaluable, and the backup that would be caused by reducing those hours would cause necessary aid to not reach those in need.
”There are so many people in need right now, and to cut a position like that is kind of shameful,” said Donald DeMaio, of Kendall Park, two weeks ago. “I volunteer there and see the work they do. When I started, I noted how many people are in need. By the level of donations from this community to the food pantry they know people are in need. The money that would be saved is not justified by the benefit.”
Township officials would not confirm any of the positions that have been cut until the layoffs have taken effect. Mayor Gambatese said he expects the budget to be adopted after a public budget hearing June 9.