Griswold - With revenues looking grim for 2010-11 and possibly a significant shortfall in the current fiscal year, the first selectman has asked Town Hall union members to choose between furlough days or a rolling layoff.Members of the union, which includes 13 employees, met Friday afternoon with a representative from Council 4 ASFME Local in New Britain to discuss Anthony's edict, which comes on the eve of the union negotiating a new contract.

Members of the union, which includes 13 employees, met Friday afternoon with a representative from Council 4 ASFME Local in New Britain to discuss Anthony's edict, which comes on the eve of the union negotiating a new contract. In a memo sent March 11, First Selectman Philip Anthony Jr. wrote that for budgetary reasons the union members either could take the equivalent of two furlough days by the end of June or face a mandatory four furlough days, or be subject to a "rolling layoff," in the next fiscal year.

In a memo sent March 11, First Selectman Philip Anthony Jr. wrote that for budgetary reasons the union members either could take the equivalent of two furlough days by the end of June or face a mandatory four furlough days, or be subject to a "rolling layoff," in the next fiscal year."The way I see it now, the ball is in their court. I don't know where it goes from here. I just hope that it's the least harmful and financially hurtful to the staff," Anthony said Tuesday.

"The way I see it now, the ball is in their court. I don't know where it goes from here. I just hope that it's the least harmful and financially hurtful to the staff," Anthony said Tuesday. As of Wednesday afternoon the union had not made a decision on the issue, according to local president John Lorange.

As of Wednesday afternoon the union had not made a decision on the issue, according to local president John Lorange. "The Griswold Town Hall workers have made it clear that they were willing to try to do their part, and now we're also in a situation that negotiations will soon commence on the new collective bargaining agreement, those discussions could play into the negotiation," Larry Dorman, a spokesman for Council 4, said Wednesday.

"The Griswold Town Hall workers have made it clear that they were willing to try to do their part, and now we're also in a situation that negotiations will soon commence on the new collective bargaining agreement, those discussions could play into the negotiation," Larry Dorman, a spokesman for Council 4, said Wednesday.Last spring, the finance board reduced the current general government budget with the understanding that union members had agreed to take two furlough days. The union said it would agree to the proposal in exchange for layoff protection through the duration of its current contract, which expires June 30.

Last spring, the finance board reduced the current general government budget with the understanding that union members had agreed to take two furlough days. The union said it would agree to the proposal in exchange for layoff protection through the duration of its current contract, which expires June 30. Lorange and Anthony shook hands, but that agreement, which was not reduced to writing, did not come to fruition.

Lorange and Anthony shook hands, but that agreement, which was not reduced to writing, did not come to fruition.This week, Anthony said after the exchange it was determined that the town could not accept the no-layoff stipulation. It was later reconsidered and town officials decided to accept the layoff protection, but this update was never conveyed to the union.

This week, Anthony said after the exchange it was determined that the town could not accept the no-layoff stipulation. It was later reconsidered and town officials decided to accept the layoff protection, but this update was never conveyed to the union. Anthony added that when it became clear the agreement had failed, town and union officials decided to wait to see what the town's financial situation would be during the year and the union wanted to wait for the outcome of separate an insurance-related challenge.

Anthony added that when it became clear the agreement had failed, town and union officials decided to wait to see what the town's financial situation would be during the year and the union wanted to wait for the outcome of separate an insurance-related challenge. "Everybody shares some of the blame, including myself. We will work toward hopefully an amicable resolution," Anthony said.

"Everybody shares some of the blame, including myself. We will work toward hopefully an amicable resolution," Anthony said.In a news release Wednesday, Lorange reiterated that the union did not renege on the agreement and it is equally as hopeful that the issue can be resolved.

In a news release Wednesday, Lorange reiterated that the union did not renege on the agreement and it is equally as hopeful that the issue can be resolved.Lorange said he understands the urgency of the situation but said that union members "provide a service with pride and diligence."

Lorange said he understands the urgency of the situation but said that union members "provide a service with pride and diligence."He said that the town is not going to able to balance its budget, and the projected deficit, strictly on Town Hall employees' salaries.

He said that the town is not going to able to balance its budget, and the projected deficit, strictly on Town Hall employees' salaries. The town knows for certain that it will receive $257,000 less in state grant funding than was anticipated when the current budget was approved last spring. There is also a chance that the financial situation could be worse.

The town knows for certain that it will receive $257,000 less in state grant funding than was anticipated when the current budget was approved last spring. There is also a chance that the financial situation could be worse. Finance Director Barbara Richardson-Crouch said this week that the town has not received approximately $900,000 in other anticipated state funding. She said it is not a question of if the town will receive the money, but when.

Finance Director Barbara Richardson-Crouch said this week that the town has not received approximately $900,000 in other anticipated state funding. She said it is not a question of if the town will receive the money, but when. Last year the state delayed its disbursement of some grants by five months, forcing the town to take out a short-term note.

Last year the state delayed its disbursement of some grants by five months, forcing the town to take out a short-term note."We know the state will eventually pay us, but when is the question. It may not be in the fiscal year; I'm praying and hoping it is," she said.

"We know the state will eventually pay us, but when is the question. It may not be in the fiscal year; I'm praying and hoping it is," she said.m.bard@theday.com

m.bard@theday.com