Bedford Town Employee Prepares to Lose Job After Budget Cuts

BEDFORD, N.Y. — When the Bedford Town Board adopted its 2012 budget, two employee positions were eliminated as a cost-saving measure. Come Jan. 1, 2012, Frank Zipp, who has worked as a mechanical equipment operator (MEO) for more than three years, and Kevin Carroll, of the custodial department, will be the first ever town employees to lose their jobs due to budget cuts.

“The guys feel bad,” Zipp said about his fellow highway department workers. “They don’t know what to say to you, so they’ll just stay away from you. They don’t want to see you go. I hate to say it, but it’s almost like a funeral and I’m going to get buried.”

The eliminated positions were chosen by seniority, as Zipp and Carroll were the shortest-tenured members on their respective staffs. Zipp, however, is not nearly the youngest of the staff – that rank belongs to Mike DeRosa, both of whom are good friends. DeRosa’s job was also on the cutting block during budget talks, but the town was able to hold onto his position as a fellow MEO.

DeRosa said he recognizes that if more jobs are cut from the department, his position would likely be the next to go. “Frank’s 20 years older, but works side-by-side with me. He’s young at heart, he’s a good guy and he’s going to be missed. Everyone loves Frank. And if there are more cuts, I’ll be next.”

The members of the Blue Collar Unit and the town board have yet to find common ground, with the board repeatedly mentioning the lack of communication between the two sides. But the two units will be entering further negotiations in the coming months, according to Michael Rosefort, an assistant foreman and Shop Stuart of the Blue Collar Unit. “We haven’t found that fair deal yet, but that’s my hope.”

But Zipp is sure that even with an adjusted agreement, he’ll still have to look for work elsewhere, placing him already on the hunt.  Still, he said he doesn’t think he will be able to find what he’s looking for.

“I’m already hitting the street, looking for spots,” he said. “Nobody is hiring. And I’m 46-years-old, not 25. You can reinvent yourself at 25. You can maybe find a job, but this is my career. I’ll lose it all.”

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