City workers furloughed in Edison after town council can't agree on budget
EDISON, New Jersey (WABC) -- The town council in Edison, New Jersey, has not been able to agree on the city's latest budget, and as a result, city workers are paying the price by being furloughed.
A vote was scheduled to take place on Monday, but one councilmember abruptly left the meeting - leaving the future of even more workers hanging in the balance.
It came after Councilmember Richard Brescher bailed out on Monday's session and no action could be taken on a proposed budget.
Brescher said he left because the budget process was flawed.
That led to the furlough of 360 city workers, including 10 police officers and that number could increase to 54 officers if there is not a rapid resolution.
"They're upset, they're disappointed, many of them are very new officers, some of them left other departments for what they believed to be a better opportunity," said PBA President Michael Piperato.
Several council members failed to show up for Monday's meeting. Apparently they knew the township did not have the money to pay workers.
"We don't have the funds to cover us for every department for the end of this month," said Mayor Sam Joshi.
Joshi is calling for an emergency meeting Thursday night. The council needs five votes for the temporary appropriations.
The mayor says there have been 21 meetings with the council dealing with the budget over a three-month period.
"I cannot stress enough that council members need to show up and do their job," Joshi said.
The mayor said fuel costs and health care costs are up, plus the town spent more money on bad winter storms and holiday pay.
The only offices open Wednesday were public works and the tax collector's office.
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