We’ve all seen the struggles every business, government and family has experienced during this recession. Collingswood is no exception to that reality, but the teamwork shown by all of our Borough family is the exception to the rule. This town is where you really want to be.

Faced with tax increases and extended layoffs, each of our Borough’s unions have agreed to concessions to avoid further layoffs. Our Public Works employees and Firefighters have given back personal holidays and limited certain work rules; our Police Department has given up shift differential pay and reduced the number of buy backs for personal days. Borough Hall workers, the Library employees, the Municipal Court staff and the crew at the Scottish Rite will be furloughed and have contributed to significant cost savings. There is no town in New Jersey that has had every employee, both union-represented and non- represented, contribute to help in this time of budget crisis. These budget cuts have saved five jobs and have allowed us to reduce the average tax increase from $170 to $160.

Next time you see any one of the Borough employees, please thank them. Please let them know you appreciate they have treated this work as more than just a job. It is a special work to serve the public and these last two months have demonstrated a whole new level of public service. Thanks to all of them.

And for those who have lost their jobs despite our mutual cutbacks and concessions, be assured we have taken this step with deep regret and our entire Borough thanks you for your service. We are exerting our best efforts to find each of these persons a new position. So there has been pain, but there have been shining lights.

As this process subsides, we do not know what the future will bring but it is clear that we will be able to work together to improve our town.