Former Councilman Asks MUA Commissioners to Reconsider Layoffs

VILLAS – Lower Township Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) Employees and UFCW Local 153 union members filled the meeting room during a Dec. 2 MUA Board of Commissioners meeting where tempers flared over the dismissal of two long-term employees.
MUA Commissioners voted unanimously at a special meeting Oct. 16 to abolish the jobs of MUA employees Kathy Armbruster and Dawn Cottrell, who were given 90 days notice their positions were being “abolished.”
Rancor has ensued at MUA meetings for the past three months. At issue, the MUA is creating a new position of chief financial officer (CFO). MUA employees have accused MUA Executive Director Mike DeMarcantonio of eliminating two office positions to fund the $75,000 to $90,000 salary range for the new CFO position.
UFCW Local 152 Representative Gerald Chudoff asked the MUA board to consider canceling the meeting since the meeting room was not large enough for the standing-room-only crowd that was present.
He said the fire marshal has stated the meeting room can hold only 49 persons.
“I think you are endangering the public at this time and I ask for a change of venue,”said Chudoff.
The audience applauded his remarks. He said he was prepared to call 9-1-1 if necessary.
DeMarcantonio called for adjournment of the meeting noting the board has conducted it business.
Stig Blomkvest, a former Lower Township Councilman, asked to speak before an adjournment. He said he had served in government and was a proud union member.
Blomkvest questioned laying off an employee who had been with the authority for 31 years “and is part of the foundation of this entity.” He said any layoffs should be considered on the basis of seniority.
“You bump from the bottom up,” said Blomkvest.
Blomkvest said, as a union member, he did not want to see anyone laid off. He said he was addressing three board members in particular, Chairman Pete Biting and commissioners Nels Johnson and Thomas Brown. He said the three men knew the two employees whose jobs have been abolished.
He asked why the commissioners would approve the dismissal of two long-term employees.
Johnson said it was not an easy decision “but you know we also have a responsibility to the taxpayers and ratepayers of the township.”
“We’ve looked at other alternatives, there’s just no alternative right now,” he said.
Blomkvest said one of the two dismissed employees got extra training in case there were changes in the office.
“Could you imagine if this was your wife or daughter?” asked Blomkvest. “At the very least, table this decision and have a heartfelt discussion with them as individuals about how you can make an attempt to save their jobs.”
He said he heard all the rhetoric from the MUA commissioners listening to the union but that had not happened.
“Do you know how hard it is to find a job in this community?” asked Blomkvest. “The three of you know there is more to this than just administration or money.”
The audience applauded his statement. Employees have told the Herald that Armbruster’s dismissal was connected with her participation in unionizing MUA office employees.
Bitting said he was not in favor of any further discussions.
“The job has been done away with,” said Bitting.
“I’m extremely disappointed in you,” said Blomkvest to Bitting.
Blomkvest told Bittting he “used to stand up for the little guy.”
“Well, I guess that just went out the window,” said Blomkvest.
Bitting closed the meeting before any other public comment and commissioners left the room. The meeting ended with shouting from the public.