November 14, 2007 Contact: Sue Baker
For Immediate Release 738-2000, ext. 6205
Avedisian announces restructuring
of Human Services, Parks and Recreation departments
Changes will realize over $100,000 annually in salaries and benefits
WARWICK – Mayor Scott Avedisian announced today the restructuring of several positions and duties in the Human Services and Parks and Recreation departments, a move that will save over $100,000 annually in salary and benefit costs.
Avedisian began looking at what cost savings could be realized after Gloria Fairbanks, the former director of the Youth Services Division, informed him that she would be retiring November 1.
“The Youth Services Division has really grown in the past several years into a department that provides effective services to our youth and their families,” Avedisian said. “I needed to make sure that it would continue to run well after Gloria left, and with this restructuring, I know that that will happen.”
Two current employees, Patricia St. Amant and Margaret Brugeman, will take on Fairbanks’ responsibilities and will work with the recreation program coordinator, a newly created position that was filled November 5, to develop after-school and other programs. Holly Weber, the new coordinator, will also work with the Division of Senior Services to implement new programs, Avedisian said.
In Parks and Recreation, a supervisor’s position was eliminated, with those duties doing to the new recreation program coordinator.
Savings in salary and benefits in the Parks and Recreation Department is $23,216 annually. In the Youth Services Division, total savings in salary and benefits – even taking into account a small increase given to the two employees due to the added responsibilities – is $80,287 each year.
All told, this means an annual reduction of $103,503.
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