Cash-strapped town privatizes janitorial services

Facing a budget shortfall, a decline in state aid, as well as higher energy and utilities costs, a New Jersey township laid off 42 employees on December 31, including all its janitorial service workers.

The Brick County Bulletin reported that immediately afterwards the Township Council approved the hiring of a private janitorial company to fill in the gap, a move that will bring an estimated $285,000 in savings this year.

Brick Township business administrator Scott M. Pezarras told the source that the goal of the layoffs was to try to plug a $4 million deficit in the 2009 municipal budget. He added, however, that the financial problems are unlikely to go away this year, and the township should brace for more state aid cuts.

The developments in Brick Township seem to follow a pattern of recent reductions in public janitorial jobs or their replacement with more cost-effective private contractors across New Jersey and throughout the U.S.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Burlington Township, facing a $ 1.6 million budget gap, is considering privatizing its trash and janitorial services. Local media reports also suggest that similar outsourcing may be in store for Bergen County, New Jersey.