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16 LAYOFFS LOOM FOR JACKSON BUILDING DEPARTMENT
By Lauren Puglisi
Jackson's Building Department is currently made up of 23 employees, but after Mayor Mark Seda's recent layoff proposal, 16 of those positions may be eliminated, and one would be changed to part-time.
The reason for the proposal is due to the department's recent drop in revenue, which officials say has left inspectors with not enough work.
According to Seda, the department received $1.3 million in fees from building permits and other construction related revenue, but spent $1.8 million in salaries, wages and operating expenses last year.
"The layoff date specified in the proposal would not come into effect until August 1, which means we have up until that date to create and discuss an alternate plan for these employees," Seda said. "I am putting a budget together and with the numbers so out of whack right now, I needed to send out the proposal in order for the budget to be balanced."
During last Tuesday's council meeting, members of the council joined Seda in saying the letter Building Department employees received last week was meant to serve as a cautionary warning.
Council President Ann Updegrave said under the current layoff plan, it is possible to look into calls for some of the employees to be transferred to other township departments.
"No formal decision has been made. No one likes to see any employee laid off," Updegrave said. "We are willing to look at all options before any action takes place."
Rich Wilton, a township resident and seven-year employee of the department, stood before the mayor and council urging them to withdraw the layoff plan.
Wilton said when he received his layoff notice last week and saw the word "Vacate" clearly written beside his name, he knew he had to take action.
"I have received various petitions from members of the community that support the department and I will continue to gather more," Wilton said. "You started your movement and now we are starting ours."
Seda informed the public that he would be meeting with Barry Olejarz, the construction code official, during the upcoming week to discuss other options.
"I plan to discuss this issue from now until the proposed layoff date on August 1," Seda said.
Olejarz, could not be reached for comment.
If the layoff proposal comes to fruition, it will be the third since 2006, when Jackson first eliminated seven positions in the department. Last July, the township laid off another six inspectors and clerical workers.
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