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BLOOMINGDALE - Boro retains four-day workweek
(by Deborah Walsh - Staff Writer - September 03, 2008)
BLOOMINGDALE - The borough’s program to conserve on energy by switching to a four-day workweek might not have hit its stride yet and has been extended to Dec. 1.
The Borough Council endorsed the extension at its most recent meeting on Aug. 26. The trial period for the four-day workweek was originally scheduled from June 20 through Labor Day. Under the four-day week, employees worked from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. With the five-day week, employees worked from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Borough Council enacted the shortened workweek in June as a "Go Green" initiative designed to conserve on energy and utility costs. The police station, which is outfitted with a separate heating and air conditioning system, maintained its normal hours. The Department of Public Works (DPW), which is not housed at the municipal building, also did not change its hours over the summer.
"We want to go green to save green. With the prices of fuel continuing to go up, we are trying to find new ways to save money operationally," said Borough Administrator Ted Ehrenburg.
In June, Ehrenburg said the plan to shut down municipal offices Thursday night until Monday morning would mean energy would be saved by the doors staying shut and a minimal amount of electricity being used. Ehrenburg said the longer hours Monday through Thursday could prove a benefit to the public because the later hours might be more convenient for people to stop in after work to pay tax bills or court fines.
At the Aug. 26 meeting, Ehrenburg said the borough did not have a good handle yet on how much money the changed schedule saved in energy costs. The borough did not have a figure for the savings in electricity costs. In one month’s time, the borough saved $30 in natural gas costs, but this figure could escalate once cold weather hits and the heating system is utilized. By the end of the trial period on Dec. 1, the heating system will be operating and the borough will have a better idea of the potential natural gas cost savings, he said.
Ehrenburg said the borough is also looking at other energy conservation measures. Once the new DPW facility is erected, it might be outfitted with solar panels, he said.
Ehrenburg said he had not received complaints from residents about the closure of municipal offices on Fridays. He thought people found the hours more convenient because they could stop in after work and not take time off from their job to visit the borough to conduct business, which could include paying tickets or their tax bills.
Acknowledging that gas prices have dipped in recent weeks, Ehrenburg predicted that prices would remain high.
"Did the prices drop? Yes. Do I think the problem of rising costs is going away? No," said Ehrenburg.
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