Council Eyes Tweaks to Recycling Center Hours

The East Brunswick Township Council wants to take a look at closing the township’s recycling enter one weekday a week as a way to save money.

The council discussed the recycling portion of the 2011 municipal budget Monday. The budget includes $1.290 million for the department , down from last year’s $1.300 million budget. The proposal includes $273,300 for permanent full time employees, up from last year’s $264,000; $10,000 for over time, down from $14,000; $2,600 for uniforms and clothing and $869,222 for professional services and consulting, up from $859,222 last year.

Thomas Williams, head of the Department of Public Works, said closing one day would result in a minimal savings, because the same number of staff would still be needed. However, he, Township Administrator James White and Mayor David Stahl agreed to look into the idea and present a report on possible savings.

"We thought about (closing) in discussions with Mr. White and the mayor as part of the budget process,” said Williams. “There might be some savings there, but we’re not seeing a drastic savings. We still need people whether the site is open or closed – we have a leaf site we’re maintaining. It would be a minimal amount of savings I think."

Councilwoman Camille Ferraro, who introduced the idea, said that even a small savings would be helpful.

“Now I’m from the old school - watch the pennies and the dollars will follow . I know we don’t have any big items we can look at and say 'we can really shrink this up.' But if you go through and you incrementally just work on a little at a time and if this is an area where we can get rid of overtime costs, you know, instead of anyone working a six day week, five days, maybe if we were going to close it one full week day we may look to extend hours on Saturday.”

"I realize that for the workers that’s a quality of life issue, but we have to look out for the welfare of the entire town," she continued.

She also said that since Saturday is the center’s busiest day, closing it on a weekday makes the most sense.

“Saturday is one of your busiest days because we have quite a few people that work during the week … and I’m just thinking if f we can do that without an impact on the residents that would be a savings that would to a degree be a no brainer.”