NORTH TONAWANDA
Hiring freeze imposed in N. Tonawanda
Published: November 18, 2009, 12:30 am
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NORTH TONAWANDA — City lawmakers Tuesday imposed a hiring freeze for the remainder of the year.
By a 5-0 vote during a meeting in City Hall, the Common Council enacted a measure to block any new full-time employees from being hired by the city through Dec. 31.
The measure was initially discussed by the Council during a work session last week, one in which the possibility of layoffs also was discussed.
The city faces a potential shortfall in its water and sewer budgets totaling $250,000; the city budgeted for cost savings in utilities through a deal still being negotiated with the New York Power Authority.
An additional $174,000 in expected revenue also is on hold as the Council has failed to implement a $6 increase in base charges for water and sewer services for apartment units, part of the city’s 2010 budget that was enacted in September.
There was little discussion or debate about the hiring freeze during Tuesday’s meeting. “This action would allow the new Common Council the opportunity to evaluate the effect of the retirement incentive,” City Accountant David R. Jakubaszek said in a Nov. 12 memo to Mayor Lawrence V. Soos and the Council.
As part of the 2010 budget, the city has offered a retirement incentive to some employees. Eight workers have signed up to take the buyout so far, though employees have through Friday to withdraw their names.
To trim personnel costs, city officials did not fund five currently filled positions in next year’s budget.
In other matters Tuesday, the Council:
• Approved changing the name of William Street, the site of a proposed 30- home development between Homestead Drive and Witmer Road, to Walter Drive.
• Approved a $48,696 contract with the Niagara County SPCA for next year to handle animal control duties.
• Approved a change order request from Northeast Diversification of Lancaster for $16,839 for the Marcia Drive reconstruction project.
abesecker@buffnews.com
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