Mayor Bettina Bieri Updates Residents on Cost Savings Initiatives   I am most proud of the nearly $600,000 in cost saving measures that have been instituted since I took office in January, and would like to summarize those changes using factual data obtained from the township treasurer.   COST SAVING MEASURES:   1. Health Department - Hired a new Health Officer. This position was essentially vacant since August, 2007. Continued shared services with Bloomingdale for the registrar's position. Total annualized cost savings is $72,316. 2. Prosecutor - Established and filled an Assistant Prosecutor's position at no additional cost to the Township. This provides better continuity in the court, increased consistency, and provides ease of scheduling court hearings. 3. Recreation Department - Hired a new Director of Community Services and Recreation. Total annualized cost savings is $34,931. 4. Building Department - Restructured the department. Increased the responsibilities and upgraded the title of a qualified, existing employee upon the retirement of the Construction Official. No replacement was hired; existing employee is capable of handling both functions. Total annualized cost savings is $110,674. 5. Planning Department - Restructured the department. Eliminated the full time planning director's position and contracted with an outside Planning consultant for the township and the land use boards. Replaced the department head with a new Land Use Administrator whose duties better fulfill the needs of our township. Replaced the planning board attorney with an attorney that only represents municipalities to avoid the costly conflicts of interest the township previously encountered. Total annualized cost savings is $68,647. 6. Fire Safety - Hired a new Fire Marshall, who also serves as the Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator. Total annualized cost savings is $35,042. 7. Administrator - Appointed the clerk as interim administrator and assigned additional duties to two existing employees. Although all aspects of municipal business are being addressed in a timely and professional manner, a search is ongoing. Total annualized cost savings is $84,179. 8. Finance - Hired a new township auditor. Negotiated a new contract with Lakeland Bank, despite the fact that the existing contract had not yet expired. Negotiated better terms and established a minimum interest rate to guarantee income. Projected total annualized additional revenues and cost savings is $184,000. In total, the annualized savings amounts to $589,789. These savings will continue each year and indeed will increase as the cost of benefits, including health insurance, increases. All of our new employees and consultants are skilled professionals and offer our township excellent services. This is part of my ongoing effort to reduce costs, improve services, and increase coordination and efficiency in town hall. Although I have encountered great resistance from 5 of the 6 council members, other cost-saving measures have also been instituted during my first nine months. So much more needs to be addressed, but it requires council respect and council cooperation. I will continue to foster sound economic decisions that help stabilize taxes without compromising the quality of township services, and even improve services in many cases. Mayor Bettina Bieri