Only 7 of mo hill's 43 confidential employees being furloughed

Only 7 of Mo Hill’s 43 Confidential Employees Being Furloughed

by
April 18, 2020
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TOMS RIVER-Toms River Mayor Maurice B. Hill announced that as many as 200 township workers would be laid off due to the COVID-19 shutdown.  Of those 200 employees, only 7 of his politically appointed “confidential” employees will be losing their jobs for the short term.

Hill moved to protect those confidential employees because they are not covered under federal grants that would allow them to earn much of their paycheck back through federal assistance.  According to Business Administrator Don Guardian, those furloughed workers will retain health benefits and are eligible for federal employment protection dollars.

“Other than council representatives, federal funding programs will provide a comparable weekly salary. In addition, we will continue to provide health insurance for all furloughed employees. We anticipate 30 to 60 days before returning to work,” Guardian said.

Hill employs approximately 43 politically appointed workers in his administration who are at-will employees under the control of the mayor.  Of those, whose annual combined salary is nearly $4,000,000 just 7 of Hill’s closest aids and workers will be furloughed.  Township officials within townhall said with town hall’s closures the majority of Hill’s confidential hires have been working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guardian estimates workers furloughed will have to endure 30 to 60 days at home, out of work, being paid under the federal funding program.

Phil Stilton
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