Pluchino Earns Taxpayer Advocate Award from County Freeholders

Bergen County Freeholders recently presented the taxpayer advocate award to county employee Peter Pluchino, of Hasbrouck Heights, of the Division of Mosquito Control.

According to a statement released this week from the county freeholders, John Mitchell, freeholder budget and finance chairman asked each of the county department heads to identify employees who have a have a proven track record of cutting taxpayer costs while not affecting the vital services the citizens of Bergen County require.

Pluchino was nominated by county Department of Public Works Director Joseph Crifasi. Todd Cochran of Mahwah of the county Department of Parks also received the taxpayer advocate award having been nominated by Acting Parks Director Ron Kistner.  

In a statement Mitchell said, “Cochran and Pluchino have embraced the important concept of shared services between Bergen County Departments resulting in $855,000 in taxpayer savings. The goal is to spread this cost efficient form of teamwork throughout county government.”

Mitchell added, “Savings will be realized through the reduction of capital equipment, a better utilization of the seasonal workforce, combing work sites, a reduction in utility costs and the smarter distribution of equipment and supplies.”