March 31, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Ridgewood ‘Rice’ letters touch off employee consternation by John Koster Thirty-four “Rice” letters sent to Village of Ridgewood employees warning them that they face probable layoffs from their municipal jobs touched off consternation and brought union members and other municipal workers to a packed meeting council meeting last week. Most people said they left the session more confused than when they arrived. The municipal government sent out the mandatory letters a few days before, warning the first round of municipal employees they could expect layoffs in April. “Looks like I got through this cut. We’ll see what happens next time,” one long-term office worker said after the meeting. The meeting drew so many people that only those who were issued ID bracelets were allowed into the fourth floor courtroom. Many more watched the session on large-screen TV on the first floor. Ridgewood Village Manager Ken Gabbert explained that Rice letters – named for the legislator who made them mandatory – inform public officials that they are facing dismissal, generally for purely economic reasons, and allow them the option of either a public or a private hearing to defend their jobs. Formal layoff action has been scheduled for April 14, according to a packet distributed at last week’s meeting. Mayor David Pfund and council members explained that the job cuts had been indicated by a $1.9 million deficit in the projected municipal budget. “This is not pleasant for anyone,” Mayor Pfund said. “We are faced with a very difficult time.” Councilwoman Anne Zusy blamed the projected job cuts on “ridiculously dark economic times,” and Councilman Patrick Mancuso urged employees to meet with municipal officials to see what sort of agreements could be worked out. Zusy asked Gabbert if the terms previously offered to Ridgewood employees – apparently reduced hours and salaries in return for retention of employment – were still available. “The numbers have changed; that’s off the table,” Gabbert said. When the financial crunch first hit, then-administrator James Ten Hoeve worked out a plan in which every municipal employee would take one unpaid day off per month. The recommendation was unpopular among municipal workers. Ten Hoeve subsequently resigned his post, opting to work a consultant. The state tax picture has since worsened, and the projected salary shortfall increased from $1 million to $1.9 million, removing the option to save jobs at the cost of hours and a partial salary cut. Gabbert said many of the 34 Ridgewood employees who received Rice letters had been scheduled for retirement or had already agreed to terms of departure. Workers who gathered outside the meeting last week said they believed most people who received the Rice letters were astounded, and many said they were confused by the process. The municipal budget now being prepared would lead to a cap levy exception, an increase of 8.52 percent in the tax rate for municipal purposes, and an increase of $305 in taxes on the average Ridgewood home. ��������� Spacious 1BR Call for details ������������������ ������������ NOW RENTING ����������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������� ������������������������� 201-488-5085 Medical / Emergency Alert System and Monitoring Get Help at the Push of a Button CALL TODAY! A Connect America.com, LLC Company ������������������������� George James Wyckoff, NJ Toll Free: 866-273-7237 Direct: 201-669-0473 george@homealert911.com www.homealert911.com CALL NOW! 201-652-4447 1973 - 2010 ~ 37 Years of Excellence LOSE 10-20-30 POUNDS or MORE! MIDLAND PARK 24 Godwin Avenue �������������������� ���������������������� Beautiful Unique Perfect and We are OPE N SUN DAYS 12-5 ! Now offering pieces... for Easter and Communion gifts! (Prices starting at $15) *Joaillier A New & Different Boutique in Ridgewood 196 E. Ridgewood Avenue • Ridgewood, NJ 07450 next to Warner Theater Tel: 201-857-3585 | Fax: 201-443-1345 info@Joaillierllc.com | www.Joaillierllc.com