Two Oxford Twp. employees? work hours were cut from full to part-time at last week’s Board of Trustees meeting with the hopes of saving money.
The board voted 4-3 to cut the hours of both Patti Durr, building administrative assistant, and Barb Walkaus, zoning and planning administrative assistant, failing Township Supervisor Bill Dunn’s motion to eliminate one of the full-time employees and combine the two positions for one employee.
Dunn had recommended eliminating Walkaus? position and having Durr work full-time covering both the zoning and building issues because of her13-year seniority with the township. Walkaus has been with the township for just over two years.
‘I believe seniority is an accepted practice throughout business. If the role was reversed and the personnel was different, I would go with the other person,? Dunn said. He wanted to cut back one of the positions ‘strictly for budget issues.?
‘The downturn of the economy has slowed building and construction to a hault,? he said. ‘Our fund balance (for the building department) has been drawn down to where (cuts) had to be done.?
The supervisor also said the township will cut the zoning administrator, Mike Darling’s, hours ‘in the very near future,? too.
Treasurer Joe Ferarri favored combining the positions, but wanted the women to be interviewed by Dunn to hire one full-time position.
‘I thought this option would be best because it allows you to maintain full coverage and allows you to keep both of the departments available for the regular eight-hour shift,? Ferarri said.
In the end, the board favored Trustee Charlie Kniffen’s motion to cut both employee’s hours by half.