Moorestown Sun

The 2009 municipal budget has yet to be introduced, but it appears that Council will migrate to the County’s police dispatch system.
Before a special council meeting held on Thursday, the fate of the township dispatch system and the jobs of its four dispatchers remained up in the air. However, further discussion resulted in Council’s decision to eliminate the township function and switch to County’s central dispatch.
Township Manger Chris Shultz said that the switch would realize a savings of about $123,000 for the 2009 budget and in future years would result in  savings of about $393,000 per year.
Schultz also pointed out several other budget cuts during the meeting, all of which Council accepted. Cuts include the decision to cut three full time positions down to part-time positions, which will realize about $31,000 in savings.
Council also decided to factor a 10-day furlough program into the 2009 budget. The program would close all municipal offices, except for essential services including the police department and public works, for two Fridays each month beginning August 1. Township offices would be closed and employees would not be paid on those days. The library would remain open during those days because the township does not have the power to close it, Schultz said. If the township goes through with this furlough plan, they would realize about $89,000 in savings.
Council plans to introduce the budget, with the amendments discussed on Thursday, at its next meeting on June 8.
Check a future print edition of The Sun for full coverage of this week’s special council meeting.

Related items

• How to fix up Fullerton?
• Construction to interrupt traffic starting Monday
• Skatepark to remain intact
• Moorestown a ‘Classic Town’
• County needs more time to repair Centerton Bridge