Ambridge debates using firefighters for other jobs -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 2/3/2004
Last Visited: 2/3/2004
But increases in health care, insurance and other costs this year left council members facing a $380,000 shortfall for 2004 even after raising real-estate taxes two mills, borough Manager Pamela Caskie said.Council members concluded that Ambridge no longer could afford a full-time force, she said, but they also didn't want to lay off employees.
So instead, borough officials came up with a "hybrid" plan in which the four paid employees would be on call to fight fires, but would also work for other borough departments during their work shifts, Caskie said.They will take turns being on call at night and on weekends, and their unions have agreed to the plan, she said.
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We thought this was better than laying everyone off," said Caskie, who estimated the change will save about $100,000 for the borough.
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Caskie, however, said borough officials have received only a few complaints about the plan.