Town Officials Rescind Layoff Notices For Now

Tensions were high at last night's town budget meeting, as Township employees who had recently received notices indicating impending furloughs packed the small meeting room. Though the Township Committee rescinded the notices halfway through the meeting, Mayor Mark Smith warned that budget-cutting measures were still on the horizon.

"Notices were sent out to employees that might mean (mandated) holidays and furloughs," said Smith. "The state took away $800,000 in aid, so we must balance the interests of the taxpayers and the municipal workers."

All around the perimeter of the conference room, DPW workers stood silently, listening. Out in the hallway, dozens more milled about, unable to find space to stand inside.

"We appreciate the work that you do and your dedication and professionalism.  We're doing what's necessary to be fair and equitable to all stakeholders," said Smith.

After this brief opening, the mayor was told that there were workers outside the room with a vested interest who were unable to hear the proceedings.  All were invited to enter, and within minutes, the room was filled to capacity.

Immediately following the entry of these additional workers, the mayor informed the public and press that they would need to step out for a portion of the meeting that was closed, eliciting annoyance from the crowd.

After resuming the meeting, with over 50 DPW workers in attendance, it was moved down the hall to a larger room to accommodate the overflow, and the floor was opened to public comment. Uniformed police and fire personnel lined the back of the meeting room.

"We had the same problems, the same issues last year, but we were able to discuss it. We gave up an increase last year. These are dedicated, long-tenured employees," said Michael Broderick, representing the DPW union, now aligned with the Teamsters union. He asked the council why there had been no discussion with the union prior to these notices being sent.

DPW has not hired any new employees during the past eight years, and Broderick noted that those who received notices are not highly-paid and would be adversely affected by furloughs.

"Why can't we sit across the table together and come up with an agreement that is equitable to town workers and taxpayers?" he said. Broderick told the council he was available to meet with them on June 9.

Two other members of the public spoke in support of the DPW workers, expressing appreciation for their service.

Midway through the meeting, the council rescinded the notices for all workers who had received them, for the time being. Smith said that "there will be no discussion of the terms or conditions of any individual's employment at this meeting."

As the DPW workers filed out of the meeting, their representative, Mr. Broderick, thanked the mayor.

CORRECTION: The last sentence in this article initially incorrectly stated that the Township Committee is considering increases for DMC employees. Patch apologizes for this error. According to DMC Director Kathleen Prunty, DMC employees are Township employees and would recieve the same increase or decrease as everyone else. Also, for the record the DMC did not request any increase in salaries.