Essex County plans 20 job cuts

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August 17, 2010

Early retirement would close fish hatchery

By LOHR McKINSTRY Staff Writer The Press Republican Tue Aug 17, 2010, 03:28 AM EDT

ELIZABETHTOWN — Essex County would eliminate 20 jobs under an early-retirement incentive the county plans to offer.

No one from the public spoke at public hearings Monday morning on the proposal, which would cut eight positions at Horace Nye Nursing Home, three at the County Fish Hatchery and two each in the Sheriff's Department and Department of Public Works.

The cuts at the Fish Hatchery in Crown Point would result in that facility closing.

The plan presented to the County Board of Supervisors by County Manager Daniel Palmer would also slice one position each from the Treasurer's Office, Planning Department, Youth Bureau, Transportation Department and Real Property Tax Services.

MILLIONS IN SAVINGS

Of the 39 Essex County workers who say they will take early retirements, 20 would not be replaced.

The plan would also reduce Planning Department and Public Health Department directors to part-time positions.

The early retirements are expected to save the county $2.6 million in salaries, minus incentive costs of $623,000.

In new figures presented Monday, Palmer estimated the plan would save the county $3.68 million over five years once incentive charges, retiree health insurance and other costs are deducted.

'LEAST PAINFUL WAY'

County Finance Committee Chairman Thomas Scozzafava (R-Moriah) said cutting jobs by attrition is preferable to layoffs.

"This is the least painful way to eliminate positions. Without this, the bottom line is we're going to be facing the prospect of layoffs."

He said that, next, the County Deficit Reduction Committee will go over statutory requirements and non-mandated services.

Scozzafava said they must decide "what programs and services are going to be eliminated" to try to pare down an estimated 30-percent tax increase in the 2011 budget.

"It's going to get difficult for this body and very painful. We're going to get calls from people we provide services for."

FISH HATCHERY

Supervisor Bethany Kosmider (D-Crown Point) said she believes the Fish Hatchery should remain open.

"I wish this wasn't on here. I think there are avenues we haven't looked at yet."

Those include privatization and looking for other sources of revenue for it.

"I'm giving you an opportunity to see what I think needs to occur," Palmer said.

"I don't want you guys to think I didn't tell you everything. The budget looks pretty lean the way it is."

Closing the hatchery would save $150,000, according to Palmer's report on the retirement incentives.

"It can be eliminated within this report and move forward without it," Supervisor Sharon Boisen (I-Essex) said.

Palmer said he wouldn't have time to immediately take it out.

"The issue is not these positions but the savings."

Scozzafava said the Board of Supervisors can keep the hatchery open if it wants to.

"If we adopt the local law, that does not mean the Fish Hatchery is closing."

E-mail Lohr McKinstry at: lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com