Southampton - Citing three years of success in keeping costs down, Councilman Chris Nuzzi introduced legislation to renew Southampton's current policy limiting new employees.

Set to be considered at Tuesday's regular Town Board meeting, the proposal would continue a "hiring freeze" which prohibits filling vacant positions in the municipality's workforce. However, the policy exempts jobs affecting public safety, seasonal or part-time ones, and those the Town is legally obligated to fill. Open spots on appointed boards, committees, and elected offices would also remain unaffected.

"We've saved over 3.5 million dollars in salaries since its inception," noted Nuzzi, who first introduced the idea in 2008 after recessionary conditions began nationwide. "The freeze has helped keep the Town in a fiscally solid position by significantly reducing the biggest portion of our budget. When an employee leaves the Town," he explained, "they don't get replaced. Instead, their duties are shared by remaining employees to avoid overtime expenses or the costs of a new hire." The councilman also pointed out that funded positions in the 2012 adopted budget would be eligible to be filled.

Since the policy first took effect, Southampton has reduced its payroll by 64 employees - from a high of 554 full-time staff in 2008 to 490 as of October 1.

"Local businesses and residents have had to make difficult sacrifices in their personal budgets so it's only appropriate that government tighten their own purse strings," said Nuzzi. "Like many in our community who are doing more with less in the face of a lost job or reduced income, the Town must continue to find ways to cut costs while still providing a quality level of services to the public. Careful reorganization and increased efficiencies have been major factors in maintaining that balance throughout the freeze."

If adopted next week, the proposal would remain in effect until December 31, 2012.