Story posted Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Services To Be Cut As Employees Laid Off
Some Park Ridge city services will stop due to the layoff of public works employees in a cost-saving move.
The public works union voted against wage concessions, leading to the layoff of four employees, one in the street and water and sewer divisions and two from the grounds division.
Public Works Director Wayne Zingsheim explained he is reassigning workers to try to cover some of the shortfall, but certain services will end.
"Normally, we stop brush pickup on Nov. 15," he said. "We will stop on Sept. 11 and stop it forever."
He explained that people will still be allowed to bring brush to the service center for chipping, but the department may need to discontinue that option in the future. He added the department would have a list of companies residents can call to dispose of the brush. The city will still pick up brush after large storms or other emergency situations.
The department will also take one street sweeper out of service, reducing the number of sweeps each year.
The biggest problem, however, will be snow plowing, Zingsheim said.
"I don't have enough people right now to do snowplowing," he explained. "It's going to slow it down."
He said he currently has a list of retired employees and other people that come in on a contractual basis when needed and plans to expand that list; however, he does not know how effective it will be.
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