Town makes layoffs official


BY BRIAN HARMON |EDITOR

The Town Board unanimously voted to eliminate 17 town positions, and to abolish 30 vacant positions, during an abruptly called meeting on Friday.

Fourteen full-time employees -- about 7 percent of the town's workforce -- are expected to be notified early this week that they will be laid off by the town, effective Aug. 1. Three part-time workers will also be laid off.

Supervisor Scott Russell, who announced last month that the layoffs were imminent, said the move will eliminate $600,000 from payroll. The town is trying to close a $1 million budget gap. Additional layoffs are possible, Mr. Russell said.

"I have a child in college and a child in [grade] school. This job is important to me," said Leslie Tasca, 45, a part-time clerk typist in the town assessor's office who is bracing for bad news.

bharmon@timesreview.com