COLTS NECK – Nine employees were laid off from the Colts Neck Department of Public Works on Jan. 10 in a move municipal officials said was aimed at saving money.
During the Township Committee’s Jan. 9 meeting, members of the governing body approved a reorganization plan for the DPW.
The plan called for laying off the employees and creating shared services agreements with Monmouth County, neighboring municipalities and the Colts Neck K-8 School District Board of Education, and hiring private contractors, all of whom will provide the services formerly completed by municipal employees.
Municipal officials said the layoffs would result in an annual savings of $450,000 to the township. The nine employees will receive pay and benefits through the end of January, in addition to a severance package, according to Colts Neck officials.
“While this was a very difficult decision to make, the governing body agreed it was the best course of action in the ongoing effort to control costs for Colts Neck taxpayers while continuing to provide quality services to residents and businesses,” committee members said in a statement.
“Colts Neck residents and businesses should rest assured that the services traditionally provided by the Department of Public Works, including snow and ice control, leaf and brush collection, road maintenance and repair, and the maintenance of buildings and grounds will continue as always.
“With the ever-increasing burden on taxpayers, the governing body is committed to continually evaluating and exploring the various methods and means of delivering quality services to its residents and businesses in the most cost-effective and fiscally prudent manner possible,” committee members said.
A representative of the employees who were laid off could not be reached for comment.