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ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS HERALD |
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The Atlantic Highlands Municipal Borough tax rate will stay the same this year as last year - which is good. But the cost will be bourn by at least one Borough non-union employee. The employee, an 18 year employee of the Borough, will have her work-week reduced from 40 hours to 20 hours. Her pay will be cut in half, her pension benefits whittled, and she will lose her medical benefits. All employees less than 30 hours do not quality for medical benefits. If the reduction in hours was to 30 versus 20 then she would be entitled to her medical benefits. Other than the Harbor Department how many other part-time employees are in the Borough?? Why a part-time clerical employee? She is the Borough's Deputy Tax Collector, a position that heretofore has always been staffed by a full time employee. She has been taking the tax collecting courses and has passed exams which lead to becoming a certified tax collector. Classes and tests are usually on Saturdays which she has attended. Ironically, this employee, seeking to better herself, left a position as water collector to take the position of tax collector when it became vacant. The water department's position remains full-time and is staffed by an employee with much less time served. The residents of Atlantic Highlands will be served better by having a full-time certified tax collector to answer questions and work out circumstances. Currently a "roving" certified tax collector from another town is officially in charge of the department's responsibilities. It seems unfair, even dangerous, to establish the precedence to cut a valuable employee under the circumstances. Employee morale is improved when employers display loyalty to good employees. The Borough is in good financial position so that this reduction is unnecessary. I believe that the Mayor and Council, by using a little creativity can find a way to continue to use this employee's talents on a full time basis to the benefit of all. I hope they will prove me right. Gardiner Marek  |
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