Twelve layoffs, planned to reduce the city of Berwyn’s costs, were upheld this week after the mayor vetoed aldermanic action to reinstate employees affected by the cuts.

The move to reinstate employees was made by 7th Ward Alderman Robert Lovero at the City Council’s July 8 meeting. Mayor Michael O’Connor vetoed the action at council’s meeting Tuesday.

“As far as cutting front-line workers, I’ve told you before this is not going to be easy, and this is not going to be any type of solution that’s going to be palatable or that we’re going to feel good about when all is said and done,” O’Connor said at the meeting this week. “But we have a responsibility to our citizens to cut this budget.”

Some aldermen attempted to override the mayor’s veto but failed. Aldermen would have needed a super majority, with at least six votes to override the veto, but only 1st Ward Alderman Nona Chapman, 4th Ward Alderman Michele Skryd, 6th Ward Alderman Michael Phelan and Lovero supported the override.

“My objection to cutting workers is resident services are suffering,” Lovero said. “... I think cuts need to be made; I understand that, and I know concessions need to be made and the unions have to cooperate. But to cut the people that actually provide the services for our residents doesn’t make sense to me.”

The employees come from the library, Public Works Department and City Hall administrative staff. The original number of employees the city planned to layoff was 15, but that number was reduced because two positions were vacated and not refilled, and a public works employee was injured. The final number of employees to be cut will be 12, O’Connor said. Ten have already been terminated, with the final two expected to have their last days of work in mid-August.

O’Connor said financial problems can be attributed in part to years of mismanagement of city funds by former administrations. He said the city has little money in its reserve and that layoffs will save the city about $250,000 this year. However, due to a floundering economy and real estate market, O’Connor said the city will still face a $2 million shortfall this year, meaning other cuts — and possibly more layoffs — will be made in the future.

“We’re all hoping this economy will change and that this downward spiral will stop,” O’Connor said Wednesday. “The unions have asked me to say there won’t be any more layoffs, but as much I hate to say it, this may not be the end.”

Second Ward Alderman Jim Ramos was one of four alderman to support O’Connor’s veto, saying while making layoffs is a difficult decision, it’s one that needs to be made.

“As a former school principal, I know one of the toughest things to do is to cut programs and cut staff, but unfortunately it’s necessary,” Ramos said at Tuesday’s meeting. “... We do have to save money, and right now it seems the best way to do that would be to layoff employees.”

What’s next
In the coming weeks, Berwyn Mayor Michael O’Connor will meet with the city’s finance department to review suggestions made by department heads at emergency budget meetings last week to trim expenditures. He expects to return with a report for council on how to cut expenditures further at its Aug. 12 meeting.