From Newsday (8/11/2009 @ 5PM): At a rowdy and emotionally charged meeting Tuesday, the Islip Town Board adopted a resolution to lay off 97 workers - but also approved an amendment that calls for reducing that number next month if the union offers money-saving concessions.
Town officials said the workforce reduction will help fill a projected $10-million budget hole in 2010 caused by falling mortgage tax and interest revenues. Without it, residents would face a 25 percent increase in their town taxes, they said.