Working Within the Budget

With the village budget nearing completion, employees and residents alike petitioned council to pare down cuts where it could.

People's tones were respectful but their requests were serious as village employees asked council members to revisit a budget, which is slated to terminate 27 workers.

"I'm hopeful we can do something, but the clock is running down," outgoing Mayor David Pfund said at Wednesday's meeting. 

The village received a 23.5 percent cut in state aid this year in addition to increases to health insurance and pension obligations. Last week, Village Manager Dr. Kenneth Gabbert announced the layoffs but didn't elaborated on a department-by-department breakdown. Last month, the village opted against a tax waiver, which could save jobs but would increase taxes. As is, the tax levy on an average home (assessed at about $800,000) is $3,588.

Ridgewood Police Benevolent Association representative Mark Butler spoke on behalf of the union members—many who were in attendance. 

"We'd like to extend the invitation to continue our talks and work toward reaching a resolution," Butler said.

Four officers have received Rice notices informing them of a potential termination. He pointed out two younger police offices—attending with their families—who were "worried sick" about their futures.

If the budget passes as is, Teresa Hooban will see her hours cut in half, as well. The deputy registrar for records in the Division of Health and Welfare, Hooban is worried that a record-request backlog would occur due to her decreased hours.

"We're one of the few departments that operates in the black, and 1.5 staffing cuts will create a loss of services," she said.

Cutting from her department, she said, would drive people elsewhere to procure birth certificates—as they already do with death certificates.

The layoffs made Deputy Mayor Keith Killion think twice on authorizing a new pickup truck for Ridgewood Water.

"I know [Director of Operations Frank Moritz] wouldn't put this in unless he needed it, but to lay off people and then spend $20,000 on a new truck—it doesn't click in my mind," he said.

Gabbert said he'd take "a harder look" at the request, but said the truck would be funded through the capital budget—separate from personnel.

Although Killion said he understood the technicalities, he emphasized how it could be perceived. "The appearance of it means a lot for a lot of people. And it means a lot to me."

Pfund agreed to revisit the request, but worried about an equipment-update backlog.

"If you don't look after your equipment, then when you have to replace it, you'll need more than you can afford," the mayor said. 

Outgoing Councilman Patrick Mancuso said it would be a good opportunity for the village to look at shared services.

Resident Sean McCooe said he was afraid of the unintended consequences drastic budget cuts would create in the village. With Gov. Christie proposing pension reforms, McCooe warned that several employees could abruptly retire.

 "All of a sudden, we'll be backfilling with newbies... I'm afraid of a large group of vacancies," he said.

No matter how the budget eventually shakes out, it seems layoff are inevitable. Gabbert said the village is committed to providing as much support for individuals as they desire. The village has set up four workshops with the Ridgewood Public Library, West Bergen Mental Health, the NJ Department of Labor and Bergen Community College in an effort "to assist affected people transition to new jobs."

The village will vote on the budget June 9.