Budget Adopted – 5/14/2010

• 

  Eric0176 said,

  I know both police and fire are critical departments, but are they under staffed? I ask this because the disproportionate amount of budgeted overtime in comparison to the ‘regular’ budgeted wages.

  I believe Naugatuck could save tax dollars by reducing the overtime of each department by either hiring more employees, investing in volunteers for the fire department, and/or better hours management.

  Thank you.

• 

  Eric0176 said,

  Another item of small value that might save taxpayer dollars is postage.

  Is Naugatuck paying 44 cents postage? If we have not switched to a presort system there is a possibility of savings by doing so.

  The business I work for pays 33.5 cents by mailing presort.

• 

  Eric0176 said,

  It also seems that Sanitations’ overtime is disproportionate as well.

• 

  Bob said,

  Hi Eric:

  Sorry for the late posting of your comments and my reply. You make some good and logical points that I will address in order.

  Much of the staffing levels for public safety are the result of industry standards and/or language in collective bargaining agreements. From my understanding, Naugatuck’s fire and police departments are below recommended guidelines for a municipality of our size and population. The practice of the Joint Boards of Finance and Mayor and Burgesses (“Joint Boards”) for many years has been that it is cheaper to pay the overtime than hire additional employees. Contract language and safety standards restrict managements ability to reduce the overall cost of overtime. We will certainly continue to analyze options to reduce overtime moving forward.

  There has been no active volunteer firefighter force in Naugatuck for many years. In years past, volunteers supported professional firefighters. Changes in work patterns and obligations and increases in professional training and expertise resulted in the end of volunteer firefighters in Naugatuck years ago. I often wonder how other communities with significant development like Naugatuck are able to professionally protect their property using volunteers. Uncompensated mutual aide from professional departments like Naugatuck, Waterbury, New Haven and Bridgeport often assists towns without professional departments in the area. I believe the long-term solution to reducing costs of fire protection is a formal regional structure. Given Connecticut’s history, however, this is likely years away.

  I will research your question about postage as I do not know the answer. It certainly makes sense to presort and achieve the discounted cost if that is practical for the Borough.

  Sanitation overtime is often the result of the rigors of the job. The sanitation function of our public works operation is often the most rigorous and stressful to the human body. Time missed due to sickness and/or injury is high for the sanitation department, often resulting in an increase in overtime. Contractual obligations for holiday pay also increase this cost. The Borough will be beginning partial automated refuse and recycling collection in the fall of this year. Once the kinks in the new automated system are resolved, this should help to reduce overtime and workers compensation costs for sanitation.

  Thanks again for your thoughts and ideas. Please feel free to leave more on the site and I will address in a more timely fashion.

  Have a great day.

  Bob

Add A Comment