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At the Town Board meeting, trustees unanimously agreed to abolish four civil service positions to save money in the 2013 budget. A senior clerk, data entry operator, police dispatcher and parks and buildings maintenance person each will lose their jobs under the budget approved by the board.
Eastchester Town Supervisor Anthony Colavita expressed his displeasure about the terminations, and said that those employees would be hired back quickly if the opportunity presented itself.
“We came in below the tax [levy] cap and we are reserving our high level services to the best of our ability,” he said. “We had to let several people go, but we hope the chance may present itself to get them back. We’re doing a lot of adjusting in a difficult period.”
Trustee Frederick Salanitro echoed the supervisor’s words, adding that if the board had decided to break the tax cap there would be a room full of angry taxpayers at the meeting.
“It’s very difficult. This year, four people had to be told that they have to lose their jobs. I think the board is committed to bringing those people back, and we hope to bring them back,” he said. “This was not an easy budget and it’s not an easy thing to do, but we do this on behalf of the taxpayers.”
The trustees agreed that it was a difficult, but necessary decision in the end.
“It’s heartbreaking when someone has to lose their [job], and none of us are taking the layoffs lightly,” Trustee Glenn Bellitto said. “Supervisor Colavita takes each potential layoff personally and with the utmost gravity.”
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