Medford will lay off at least 22 township employees

Medford Township has sent layoff notices to eight Public Works employees, four police officers and four firefighters. Public Safety Director Stephen Addezio and five others will be laid off, as well.

The layoffs are 22 of what could be more as a way to cut the New Jersey town’s budget, the Burlington County Times reports.

Rising costs of health care benefits, pensions and salaries have created a need for cuts, and the local purpose tax could be raised by 25 percent if voters approve the referendum.

The public works layoffs are effective this week; public safety employees will be laid off May 1.