Mayor: Township Could Face Layoffs

Despite $4.5 million in state aid, Parsippany Mayor James Barberio must grapple with potential layoffs this year because of the state's 2 percent property tax cap.

"I'm grateful they didn't reduce it further,'' said Barberio.

But he doubted it would be enough to stave off the possibility of layoffs in the police department. Jobs could also be cut among the township's  blue collar workers and supervisors in the Department of Public Works and the utilities, sewer and golf course  departments. The township's two golf courses function as a public utility.

The Township Council will discuss a preliminary budget at Tuesday night's meeting at 7:30 p.m.

Although Barberio had considered possibly laying off 14 or 15 police officers before receiving state aid figures last week, he said that now the figure might be closer to nine or less.

Barberio said he couldn't estimate how many blue collar workers might be laid off.  He is currently in the midst of negotiating contracts with the blue collar workers and supervisors unions.

If the unions makes concessions, the chance of layoffs would decrease, he said.

"I hope we can all come to an agreement,'' said Barberio.

Along with layoffs would come a reduction in township services, something Barberio is hoping to avoid.

The mayor said it was unfair of the state to impose such a restrictive property tax cap and not offer resources to help alleviate the burden. "When you have a cap and no state funding, the only thing that can happen is vital services will be reduced,'' he said.