Politics & Government

Princeton Officials Outline Consolidation Severance Packages

The proposal still has be approved by the Transition Task Force and members of both governing bodies.

 

A tentative proposal shows that Princeton employees who lose their jobs as a result of consolidation will receive at least 10 weeks of severance pay up to a maximum of 20 weeks, depending on years of local service and which town they work for.

The employees will also receive their “days” owed at the time they leave Princeton’s employ, including their accrued vacation.

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The proposal, outlined this week by the Personnel Subcommittee of the Transition Task Force, is expected to cost Princeton between $289,654 and $658,843, Transition Task Force Member Gary Patteson said.

That number reflects the cost to downsize Princeton’s workforce by 12 employees: three non-sworn members of the police department and nine other employees throughout the Borough and the Township.

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There were about 18 positions targeted for elimination in the Joint Shared Services Consolidation Commission report issued last year, but only 12 are expected to happen immediately, Transition Task Force Chairman Mark Freda said on Wednesday.

Specific job titles have not yet been identified, but organization charts for a merged Princeton are expected to be reviewed and voted on by the Transition Task Force on May 16, along with the severance package details.

Once the Task Force approves the severance package details, the governing body will then need to vote on final approval.  

The severance package details were outlined on Wednesday night, but the Task Force decided to postpone a decision until it can have final figures on severance costs, which will come once specific positions have been identified.

Under current policy, Princeton Borough employees receive two weeks of severance plus days accrued, while Township employees receive four weeks of severance plus days accrued.

Patteson said the subcommittee’s recommendations include additional severance compensation than what is required. Employees will receive one week of severance per year of service, with a minimum of eight weeks and a maximum of 16 weeks.

For example, a Borough employee with 10 years of service would receive two weeks of severance, plus a week for each year of service, or 10 weeks. That would equal 12 weeks of severance, or about three months.

In the Township, for example, an employee with 20 years of service would receive four weeks of severance, plus a week for each year of service, or 20 weeks. But with a maximum of 16 weeks of service counted towards severance, the employee would receive a total of 20 weeks, or about five months.

Employees who accept the separation packages will sign waivers, giving up their right to sue.


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