Swampscott officials hope to avoid layoffs

SWAMPSCOTT – Several departments in town are hoping money saving measures currently being implemented will help prevent layoffs, which town officials fear could become a reality due to mid-year budget cuts.Department of Public Works Director Gino Cresta said Michael Collins, who has been with the department for more than 20 years, is retiring April 13.”It’s a retirement,” Cresta said. “So we won’t have to pay unemployment costs like we would if we laid someone off. We’re hoping that will save us enough money to get through the fiscal year (which ends on June 30) without layoffs.Cresta said when Collins retires the DPW would be down to 17 full-time employees, which includes himself and a field supervisor.Cresta said the DPW includes the highway and water departments along with public works.”We’re stretched pretty thin,” he said. “And I don’t think it’s going to get better anytime soon.”According to the state Department of Revenue’s Division of Local Services, Swampscott will see a reduction of $156,986 in its income from state lottery receipts and local aid between now and June 30.The cuts were made by Gov. Deval Patrick as he slashed the state budget by $128 million.Other departments are also trying to find ways to absorb the mid-year cuts without losing employees. The police department transferred one detective to routine patrol in an effort to control overtime costs while maintaining minimum staffing levels.School Business Manager Ed Cronin said the school department laid off one maintenance person on Jan. 1, who was making $35,000 a year, but pointed out the layoff only saves the district $7,000 because it is so late in the fiscal year and there are unemployment costs associated with the termination.The fire department has one position that was left vacant after Jennifer Bleiker resigned last September and selectmen voted not to fill her position.Swampscott Town Administrator Andrew Maylor said he has asked departments to cut whatever they can from their operating budgets for the remainder of the year but mid-year layoffs could be necessary as well. He said he is looking at closing the senior center and library one day a week to help balance the budget for the remainder of the fiscal year.