PLUMSTED — According to Mayor Ron Dancer, it has become economically necessary for the Plumsted Township Committee to implement employee furlough programs as additional cost control measures.

Furlough programs authorize an employee to have an approved leave of absence without pay for one or more days that are preapproved. The two types of furlough programs are voluntary and mandatory.

Under the voluntary furlough program, all salaried employees are offered an opportunity to participate. An employee may submit a request for a day off without pay to the township's three-member Furlough Review Committee, composed of the business administrator, a department head and a Township Committee member, who is liaison to personnel, for consideration.

If the Furlough Review Committee preliminarily approves of an employee's request for a day off without pay, the request is presented to the Township Committee for final approval.

With regard to implementing a mandatory furlough program, the Township Committee will evaluate and consider the merits on a case-by-case basis, according to the mayor.

Dancer said that during the July 1 township meeting, Plumsted construction official Glenn Ricardi informed the governing body of declining revenues attributable to the economic recession and recommended closing the construction office every Friday.

As a result, the administrative technical assistant to the construction official will be furloughed (day off without pay) every Friday. The construction office will be closed every Friday, according to the mayor.

The Plumsted Township Council for the Arts is sponsoring events monthly on the first Saturday of the month. These events are being held at various sites in downtown New Egypt. Due to the Independence Day fireworks display on July 4, the arts council has rescheduled for July 11 an "Art Jam" for 7 p.m. at the Welcome Center, 31 Main St.

The "Art Jam" is an opportunity for local art enthusiasts to meet and socialize and to heighten public awareness

and interest in the visual and performing arts. The arts council event for Aug. 1 will be a country line dance to be held at Oakford Lake Park beginning at 7 p.m. The 13th annual Luby Britt Memorial Fishing Tournament, sponsored by the New Egypt Elks YAC/SCC, will be held July 12 at the Oakford Lake Park, Lakeview Drive, New Egypt, from 9-11 a.m. Registration for the children, up to 13 years old, begins at 8:45 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for all age groups

participating in the fishing tournament. There is no cost; however, bait and tackle is not provided at the park. For more information, call the Elks Lodge at 609-758-8700 or email neelks2457@yahoo.com.