Evesham Township – At Tuesday night’s town council meeting, led by Mayor Jackie Veasy and with bipartisan support, Evesham Township Council unanimously passed a resolution that will put local residents to work and save taxpayer dollars.

The resolution – known as a “Direct Hire Agreement” – will allow Evesham Township to collaborate with Southern New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council (SNJ Building Trades) to provide a local skilled temporary work force to perform discrete tasks beyond the skill training or certification level of existing municipal staff. The skilled labor force could perform a specific task which would otherwise require the use of more expensive contractors, thus saving the town money while ensuring the work is done by highly trained personnel.

“By partnering with the Southern New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council to hire well trained, local workers as needed for specific projects, Evesham will be saving taxpayer funds and supporting the life-long and middle-class careers of local workers,” said Mayor Jackie Veasy. “This agreement is a win for all.”

“Many of our trades men and women are your neighbors and friends who have a vested interest in seeing that local projects get done well” said Rich Sweeney,  a member of the SNJ Building and Construction Trades Council. “We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with Mayor Veasy and the great town of Evesham.”

“I know the importance of supporting local good paying jobs, while also being fiscally responsibly with our residents hard earned dollars,” said Councilwoman Pat Hansen. “This will ensure local skilled workers are not only getting the job done but getting it done right.”

The Direct Hire Agreement, which was not in place with the prior administration, marks the first step of the new council’s agenda of creating local jobs while saving taxpayer money.

“This isn’t going to be politics as usual. We are working hard to bring new, outside the box ideas that have bipartisan support and deliver results for our residents,” said Deputy Mayor Heather Cooper. “I am proud to support this initiative that will help our town and our local workforce.”