Furloughs UPDATE

By The Franklin Lakes Journal

Published: April 28, 2009

In response to arguments over the perceived targeting of lower paid employees in the town council’s original employee furlough program, the governing body of Franklin Lakes will be introducing a new plan that spares no one except the police. The proposed resolution will implement furloughs for all departments two days a month, effectively shutting down the borough for what is expected to be two Fridays a month.

While the salaries of police officers collectively dominate the municipal budget, complexities in union negotiations, contracts, and increased criminal activity due to the worsening economic climate have spared the police department from the furlough program. All other departments will be impacted with the regularly scheduled days to be defined upon passage of the municipal resolution.

The borough is expected to implement the plan in mid-May.