Township Asks Employees, “What Do You Do?”

COURT HOUSE – Nine employees of several township municipal departments sat with bated breath as Township Committee convened a special meeting March 20.
According to the agenda, the meeting was being held to discuss “Personnel matters – restructuring of Zoning and Construction Offices.”
Employees in the township’s Construction, Zoning, Code Enforcement, Facilities/Maintenance and Grants Administration offices received Rice notices prior to the meeting.
According to New Jersey law, a Rice notice must be given to any public employee prior to the employee’s employment status is discussed in open forum.
“We are trying to accomplish as far as potential opportunities for more efficient operation of these departments and we’ve asked them to give us some input,” said Mayor Dan Lockwood.
Employees were given a sheet asking them to list their daily, weekly and monthly responsibilities as well as organizational challenges and ideas on how to improve service and processes.
According to the mayor the information will be used to look for redundancies and to give Committee a better understanding of the employee’s responsibilities and the challenges of their positions.
“We are not going to take any action, other than asking for this input,” said Lockwood.
Employees were given until Mon., 26 to return the completed forms. Employees who were unable to attend the meeting will be offered the same opportunity.
“Once we have the information we will have another meeting similar to this one,” said the mayor.
A motion was then made for Committee to go into executive session to discuss personnel matters, where employees were able to meet with Committee in closed session.
According the Lockwood, Committee will be looking at departments throughout the township government in hope of improving efficiency. He said some departments are horizontally organized, while other departments are manned by a staff of one.
“If they’re gone,” he said, “the department is closed.”
According to the mayor, layoffs are not being discussed.
“We want people to understand their job,” said Committeeman Tim Donohue, adding that the overall goal Middle Township more business friendly for both residents as well as businesses.