I do not think that Mr. Dunne fully understands what is being proposed here, nor did I at first. The Committee is now at the point where the ordinance is perfected, presented on first reading and now ready for final adoption hearing.

 

After numerous conversations with Deputy Mayor Schleifer and Committeeman Ferramosca, who, along with department heads, studied and contributed to this strategic reorganization plan, this is my understanding.

 

First, no cuts in programs and services by Parks and Recreation or DPW.

 

Second, tax payer savings comes in two parts - Half the cost savings will be realized by not filling budgeted positions for two employees who left - that\'s two salaries with benefits. The additional, anticipated savings comes from not only refusing to replace these same two employees, but denying the request to add two additional employees for a total of 4 salaries and benefits.

 

The reasoning by DPW management for this request of hiring 2 additional employees is based upon their assessment of anticipated work load demands. Plainly, we will be 4 men down from what was the complement of employees.

 

Just as importantly, the plan reflects input from constituencies such as Sports leagues, Recreation commission, Senior Club and Department Heads. The plan maintains the Parks and Recreation department and DPW while consolidating the both labor forces. This ordinance, in reality, formalizes what should have been going on all along - blending public works and recreation labor forces into a common labor pool, directed by only one superintendent. This allows the township to maintain uninterrupted services, and realize direct cost savings from a now reduced labor force.

 

Recreation and public works has cooperated along these lines for as long as I know, so this ‘blending’ into a labor pool is nothing new, it just streamlines the management of a combined labor force, especially during peak seasonal periods such as Spring grass mowing, Fall Leaf removal and Winter snow plowing.

 

The issue here is not just the deployment of our work force, or the quality of their work, but the ability to supply the same municipal services with less employees, salaries and benefit costs , while hopefully not overburdening our work force. To my knowledge, no Parks and Recreation programs or services will be compromised as a result.

 

Ron Francioli