The Jackson Township Council today thanked the employees of the Public Works Department for putting in countless exhausting hours to clear the over 200 miles of roadway in the town during last week’s snow and are calling for increasing the department’s budget in 2025.
In some cases, the DPW staff and independent contractors worked nearly 24-hour shifts to ensure the mission was accomplished. While the snow was relatively light, it was the first snow event of the season, and resources were pushed to their limits, according to Council President Jennifer Kuhn.
“Our staff did the best they can with the equipment, resources, and numbers they have, but going forward, as a township, we need to provide the men and women in the DPW with the resources and manpower they need in the future,” Kuhn said. “We are proposing that the township review staffing and we are looking forward to voting on a budget that sees increased funding to our public works department.”
Kuhn said the council is in agreement that the numbers in the DPW department should be increased and that this year’s budget and staffing numbers are well under where a town the size of Jackson should be to get the job done.
“This was a small snow storm and our workers were taxed, tired, and worked long hours to get the job done,” said Burnstein. “It shouldn’t have to be this way. It’s not just snow removal, it’s storm preparation and vehicle maintenance, and it’s not just a once or twice-a-season problem. We need to make sure DPW has the manpower needed all year long for park maintenance, leaf removal, and branch removal. They need more help to avoid burnout and injuries among the staff.”
The Jackson Township Council said they would like to see the department grow in the 2025 budget to enhance its ability to get ahead of many of the day-to-day tasks and projects it deals with regularly year-round.
Palmeri said, “One of my biggest frustrations has been hearing the phrase, ‘This is how it’s always been done.’ Progress doesn’t come from sticking to tradition for tradition’s sake. I’ve always believed in challenging the norm, embracing innovation, and finding new ways to serve our community better.”
“We’re not sticking with the status quo and we’re going to continue to review how we do business as a town, and find better ways to be more efficient and more responsive to the needs and wants of the residents,” Kuhn said.
Council President Kuhn is confident that the council and administration can find a way to increase DPW funding without raising taxes.